Architecture is Awesome: #36 Architectural Oddities

Casa Batlló  (photo by ChristianSchd, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

This is another in my series of posts inspired by 1000 Awesome Things, the Webby Award-winning blog written by Neil Pasricha. The series is my meditation on the awesome reasons why I was and continue to be attracted to the art of architecture.

Architectural oddities are unique structures that defy conventional design norms, blending artistic expression, cultural commentary, and experimental innovation. The motivation behind these oddities can range from exploring new architectural concepts to evoking humor or challenging societal expectations. By pushing boundaries and encouraging dialogue, architectural oddities celebrate individuality and playfulness, offering a dynamic and unconventional perspective on the built environment.

There are many outstanding and well-known examples of architectural oddities around the world. Here are just a few that have captured global attention:

The Crooked House (photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

The Crooked House (Sopot, Poland)

Also known as Krzywy Domek, this whimsical building has a warped and crooked facade that gives it a fairytale-like appearance. It is part of a shopping center and is a popular tourist attraction. 

The Basket Building (photo by Derek Jensen Tysto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Basket Building (Newark, OH)

Shaped like a giant picnic basket, the former Longaberger Company headquarters in Ohio is a unique architectural oddity. The building (designed by NBBJ) served as the corporate office for the now defunct company, which specialized in handcrafted maple wood baskets.

Hundertwasserhaus (photo by C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Hundertwasserhaus (Vienna, Austria)

Designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and architect Josef Krawina, this apartment building is a colorful and irregular structure with uneven floors and a rooftop covered in vegetation. It stands out as a testament to non-conformist and eco-friendly design.

Casa Batlló  (photo by Chongming76, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Casa Batlló (Barcelona, Spain)

Designed by Antoni Gaudí, Casa Batlló is a masterpiece of Modernisme architecture. Its surreal and organic design features a facade with undulating lines, colorful mosaic tiles, and fantastical shapes.

The Dancing House (photo by Danny Alexander Lettkemann, Architekt, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Dancing House (Prague, Czech Republic)

Also known as "Fred and Ginger," this modern building by architects Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić is characterized by its unconventional and dynamic design, resembling a pair of dancers.

Kansas City Public Library Parking Garage (photo by Dean Hochman from Overland Park, Kansas, U.S., CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Kansas City Public Library Parking Garage (Kansas City, MO)

This parking garage is designed to resemble a giant bookshelf, with each of the 22 "books" (measuring 25 feet tall by nine feet wide) representing a classic work of literature.

The Elephant Building (photo by Pier Alessio Rizzardi, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Elephant Building (Bangkok, Thailand)

This building, officially named Chang Building, takes the form of an elephant, a symbol of strength and stability in Thai culture. Designed by architect Ong-ard Satrabhandhu, it's an example of how architecture can incorporate cultural symbolism.

The Hole House (photo from the Designing Buildings Wiki: File:Holehouse2.jpg- Designing Buildings).

The Hole House (Houston, TX)

Artist Dean Ruck worked with two houses slated for demolition to create an art installation that plays with the idea of negative space within architecture. The “Hole House” only existed for a few months in 2005 but left an indelible impression.

The Stone House (photo by Feliciano Guimarães from Guimarães, Portugal, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Stone House (Guimarães, Portugal)

Also known as Casa do Penedo or "House of the Rock," this unique dwelling is built between four large boulders, seamlessly integrating with the natural landscape. It’s so surreal in appearance that the photograph above looks like something created by DALL-E or Midjourney.

The Cube Houses (photo by GraphyArchy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Cube Houses (Rotterdam, Netherlands)

Designed by architect Piet Blom, these cube-shaped houses are tilted at a 45-degree angle and rest on hexagon-shaped poles. Blom aimed to create a metaphorical forest within a city. The original goal was to build 55 houses but only 40 of the cube homes were completed.

These examples showcase the diversity and creativity found in architectural oddities, each with its own story, purpose, and impact on the surrounding environment.

Ultimately, architectural oddities remind us that architecture can be a playground for creativity and imagination. These unique structures are AWESOME in their ability to captivate, intrigue, and surprise us. They inspire a sense of wonder and encourage us to see the world from a different perspective, inviting us to embrace the unexpected. By breaking free from the constraints of tradition, architectural oddities open new possibilities for design and challenge us to think about the role of architecture in our lives. Whether they are whimsical, futuristic, or downright bizarre, these structures bring an extra layer of excitement and vibrancy to their designs.

Next Architecture is Awesome:  #37 Standing the Test of Time