People who live in glass houses…
50 Strange and (Sometimes) Strangely Beautiful Buildings. Some architects should be celebrated. Some should be tested for drugs. Either way, the creators of these buildings never bore us. In fact, avoiding boredom may just be what inspired them to begin with. Enjoy! (Or chuckle, whatever.)
Click on any image to enlarge it, to read caption, or to begin slide show.
“A doctor can bury his mistakes, but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.”
~Frank Lloyd Wright
“Chicago has so much excellent architecture that they feel obliged to tear some of it down now and then and erect terrible buildings just to help us all appreciate the good stuff.”
~Audrey Niffenegger
“Hot-dog stands in the shape of hot dogs, ice-cream stands in the shape of ice-cream cones. There are obvious examples of virtual sameness trying, by dint of exhibitionism, to appear unique.”
~Jane Jacobs
“Just as language limits what can be said, architecture limits where one can walk, but the walker invents other ways to go.”
~Rebecca Solnit
“Marble, I perceive, covers a multitude of sins.”
~Aldous Huxley
“Nothing holds sadness quite as well as concrete.”
~Lynn Buckle
“Architecture appears for the first time when the sunlight hits a wall.
The sunlight did not know what it was before it hit a wall.”
~Louis Kahn
“A real building is one on which the eye can light and stay lit.”
~Ezra Pound
I can’t help wondering if Audrey Niffenegger had in mind the recently-constructed presidential “library.”
;>)
I felt like I was across Holland
Looks like a hallucination to me; I sometimes feel crooked and a bit lopsided, so that crooked building would be a good place to live to remind me to keep on the straight path, LOL Wishing you a great weekend,
Thanks, Rasma, you too!
I only have one thought – WHAT were they thinking —- or drinking?
;>)
Some years ago, when I first saw the Tornado house (Daniel Czapiewski’s home), I was sure that only the exterior was slanted, but then I saw a picture of the interior and my mind was blown. Now, I have to say flat Stanley’s needs to drop a column of bricks on the side and grow much taller to date Nix Professional Building (hospital in San Antonio)… Have a great weekend Mitch.
You too, Jacques!
Some of them are really strange, but other are very crazy and full of fantasy. It was interesting.
Wow, Can you imagine an entire city filled with these buildings? 😀
Only if it’s a theme park! ;>)
There are some buildings that really make you wonder if it’s actually possible to live comfortably in them. (^_^;)
Yep!
What a collection, Mitch. As you said some are quite psychedelic!
I would stay at that dog house B&B! 🐶 No thanks on the bidet/toilet though 😂
;>)
I nominate the “eyesore on I-4” in Orlando 😂
I’d opt to live and travel in the 1922 German RV that looks like it’s seated on the flatcar of a train. The flower boxes in the windows are a nice touch. 🙂
Thank you for featuring the Gherkin, I lead the team that secured planning permission for the building. It was such an interesting project.
How cool is that, Sherry?!
It was a seriously cool project and I had a brilliant team.
People are so weird. No way I’m living in the house that hangs over the cliff!
For some weird reason I found the shark-through-the-roof one oddly appealing.
;>)
Great, Mitch. Thank you.
My pleasure, John.
Thanks, Mitch, for the slide show of so many creative structures.If I had to choose one of these places to live, I’d choose the 1920s RV. Maybe Nancy H. above will let me go with her!
;>)
Great quotes, especially the Frank Lloyd Wright!
I love following your blog, Mitch. This one really did me in! I think I watched the slide show about four times. So many imaginative houses and buildings. I do love me some whimsy. Thanks for sharing this, and have a great weekend!
My pleasure, Jim, and same to you!
I can imagine that it’s next to impossible sometimes for an architect to come up with a new design that sets him or her apart.
Interesting images….even more interesting, the quotes!
Some really cool and crazy architecture here, Mitch! Thanks … I enjoyed this!
My pleasure, Jill.
Great architects become known for their beautiful designs and lasting works of art – so I’m bewildered why some of the the architects of these, would go out of their way to make ugly or ridiculous buildings.. ,. so that’s what they become known for in history, making something ugly and impractical forever. They may have been going for ‘whimsy’ – but failed and everybody knows it
Truth.
What an incredible collection! Some of these buildings are breathtaking examples of creativity, while others definitely make you pause and wonder what inspired the design. Architecture never fails to spark conversation and imagination. 🏛️✨
This was a really fun read! Great work. I’d love for you to check out my latest work at paraphenatic.com, if you’re interested! Always looking to get some feedback!
As we used to quip in the construction company where I used to work: “An architect’s fantasy is a structural engineer’s nightmare.” (Leo)
;>)
I would believe if I were told the top illustration was of an extraterrestrial invasion. I think I might like to live in the house that looks pushed in–I mean the Dancing House in Prague. The comment about the sadness of concrete is revelatory. This is how I feel but never knew to say (hadn’t thought of sadness). Altogether, this is an illuminating gathering of art in the houses and insight in your skill.
Glad you enjoyed it, Christopher.
I think some of the architects were smoking something when designing these~
Undoubtedly, Eileen. ;>)
More than WOW. Great post!
Glad you enjoye it, LouLou!
A great selection, Mitch. One can only hope that the insides live up to the exterior, where possible.
Apparently, the “Happy House” hasn’t noticed what gesture the cactus on the right is giving him!😂
The Atomium in Brussels was a fun visit!
;>)
Some very unusual buildings!
Such fascinating buildings, Mitch! My little place seems very boring! Love the quotes, too!!
🧡
❣️
Fascinating buildings.
Absolutely fascinating. Nice to see you included the House in the Clouds! https://bitaboutbritain.com/from-a-house-in-the-clouds-to-a-fort/ And I’ve never seen the Gherkin in those colours – it looks much better like that 🙂
It’s been too many years since I visited England. Except for the pubs, London was pickle-free last time I was there.
Wow!
Creative
Beautiful buildings
Some wild building designs there. The “residential building” in Beirut (#34) looks like the architect designed it while playing Jenga.
;>)
Lulu: “Our Dada says he wonders when we slipped through the portal into the world of Minecraft. We have no idea what he’s talking about, as usual.”
;>)