One great thing about travelling is the possibility to discover new and interesting places around the world that will always have a special place in your heart. For example, I am passionate about Prague and Vienna, so I found these two cities absolutely amazing and fascinated, with that inner voice telling me to come back again and again. If you’ve been travelling aboard and had the chance to visit many cities, it’s impossible not to be impressed by their unique yet outstanding architecture with unusual buildings. Today, we had a glimpse at the most strangest buildings in the world, 10 unique masterpieces that were designed by the imagination and creativity of different illuminated minds. Therefore, take a look at the list below and see which are the most captivating buildings.
1. Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic
Considered to be the first building of the modern architecture designed in the city since the revolution in 1989, it was initially constructed in 1992 and completed four years later. Its nickname was Ginger and Fred after two famous American singers and dancers, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, as the Dancing House resembles a pair of dancers. Although it was seen as a controversial yet rare building at that time, the building was supported by the Czech president, Vaclav Havel, who really like it and hoped it will become an important center of cultural activities in Prague. Today, Dancing House is home of one of the city’s important restaurants named Celeste located on the roof with a magnificent views over the city, as well as other offices buildings.
2. Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California, USA
This is another unusual building located in the US and a great space for music, as it is home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and one of the most sophisticated concert halls in the world. Designed by the architect Frank Gehry, the construction began in November 1999 and was finished in 2003. The Hall has an impressive and large auditorium plus a capacity over 2,000 people, including its unusual external facade. You don’t really need to be a connoisseur of buildings or music to remark this masterpiece that offers a free tour for its visitors.
3. Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain
It represents an important attraction of the city with its strange yet unique architecture. Given the architect’s popularity and his personal style shown in this work, many tourists come to Barcelona especially to visit Park Guell, one of the most impressive public parks in the entire world. The architect used his imagination and created one of the most colorful works that offers moments of peace and quiet for its visitors. Known as one of the top sights in Barcelona, the park hosts thousands of tourists plus locals starring at its architectural elements and one of Gaudi’s great piece of art.
4. Szymbark (Upside Down House) in Poland
Have you seen something more curious and unusual than this house? Located in Poland, in Szymbark village, this is a unique model house made of wooden and designed by the Polish architect Daniel Czapiewski in 2006 to reflect an artistic side of the Communist period, as well as the current state of the world :-). Although it is the main attraction in the area, visitors are often complaining about dizziness and sicknesses factors caused by its strange angles after a few minutes of visiting this house.
5. Basket Building in Ohio, USA
So, you’ve been surprised by an upside down house, but what about a basket building? If you happen to visit Ohio, don’t miss this unusual corporate office building designed and shaped in an interesting basket. The idea came from Dave Longaberger’s dream, the founder of company with the same name who was initially ignored and ridiculed by important investors, or architects. However, he didn’t gave up and saw its dream coming true in 1997. Today, basket building is one of the most outstanding office building design in the world.
6. Public Library in Kansas City, USA
I have always been fascinated about unusual architectures for being out of normality and unique. This building is a statement for something absolutely fascinating and created by human beings. The Kansas public library is one of the oldest and largest public library system in the area designed to look like a row of huge books lined up on a big shelf. One of its highlighted features is the Community Bookshelf that includes about 22 books titles reflecting subjects and interests recommended by the city’s readers. For all books lovers out there, this seem more like a regular than unusual building, so try not to miss it while visiting this city.
7. The Bubble Palace in Cannes, France
The Cannes International Film Festival isn’t the only reason to come on the French Riviera, as you can go 10 km away from the city and see the remarkable yet unusual Bubble Palace. With a complete out of the box thinking, the famous architect of this private house, Antti Lovag, did a great job with this incredible palace also known as “Palais Bulles”. It is the favorite residence of designer Pierre Cardin who bought it to be his summer house in Cannes. Its outstanding architecture is all curves, inside and outside.
8. The Atomium in Brussels, Belgium
Here is another strange and unusual building you shouldn’t miss during your visit in Brussels. The Atomium is an iconic piece of art for the city originally constructed for Expo’58, as a small version of the Eiffel Tour. Considered to be a symbol for Brussels, the building is also one of the most visited places in the city. Besides its modern architecture and a walk through tubes and spheres, it hosts a permanent exhibition about its history, as well as other temporary exhibitions for the large public.
9. The National Theater in Beijing , China
The National Center for the Performing Arts is an absolutely unusual building described as the The Great Egg, because of its strange and rounded shape. Moreover, it is said to look as an egg floating on the sea and was designed as an iconic building, so it should be easily recognizable. It is made of titanium with glass accents on the outside and is surrounded by an artificial lake.
10. The Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India
The last unusual building from our list is the Lotus Temple, a beautiful structure that is said to be one of the most visited monuments in India. Given its flower-like shape, it is hard to forget this unique design that gathers people all over the world, being an important attraction in the area. The Temple is open to everyone, regardless their religion or orientation; a special place where people of all religions may pray to God without any restriction.
