Architects have a strong desire to leave their imprint on the world, and many projects and buildings have been built to accomplish this goal. Here are a few of the most unique structures that will astound you.
1. Dancing House, Prague- The structure was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunic to represent Czechoslovakia’s transition from communism to parliamentary democracy.
Dancing House is a historically significant structure. The structure serves as a focal point for cultural events. The architect’s initial concept for the structure was to create a static and dynamic component, similar to the yin and yang symbol.
Because of the building’s unique form, the style is described as “new-baroque.” The structure is supported by 99 concrete panels and spans 5,300 square feet.
It does not blend in with the surroundings of Prague, according to critics. The form was originally disputed, but it is now regarded as a work of art after many years. The building houses several offices as well as a French restaurant with a stunning outlook. [Source]
2. Bubble Palace, Paris – The designer Pierre Cardin lives in the Bubble Palace in France, which, as the name suggests, resembles a bubble. Antti Lovag designed the 1,200 square meter space. It’s a collection of bubble clusters and a fantastic example of contemporary architecture.
The space is a tangle of intertwined bubbles that was created for a French entrepreneur. It consists of ten-bedroom suites as well as a collection of additional bubble modules with pools and patios. The total size is about 13,000 square feet. The site also includes a 500-seat theatre, which was built in 1992.
The home is designed to seem like the caverns where humans lived in the ancient period. It arrived with circular forms, no corners, and lines in the construction, all of which are Lovag hallmarks. According to Lovag, the straight line represents nature’s aggressiveness. [Source]
3. Cube House, Netherlands – Cube House is a modern and creative architectural development in the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, there is an odd architectural experiment. Piet Bloom, the architect, sought to dispel the notion that a structure must resemble conventional dwelling in order to be considered a home.
Because of its unusual architecture, the Kubuswoningen is a famous tourist destination. Architect Piet was in charge of rebuilding Oude Haven after its devastation during WWII.
He intended to poke fun at people’s preconceived notions of what a home should look like, which resulted in this masterpiece. It was constructed at a period when Rotterdam was weary with utilitarian design and felt that it was past time to create structures that looked alive.
Bloom structured the housing development into three sections: a 13-story hexagonal apartment that looks like a pencil, a terrace building complex that surrounds an interior courtyard, and a large-scale portion of cube homes. There are 270 homes in the neighborhood, as well as caterers, stores, and parking.
According to Bloom, the primary goal of “dwelling on the urban roof” is to “utilize and maximize the space at ground level for other activities.” The walls are at a 54.7-degree angle, and the apartment is 1,100 square feet in size.
The interiors are remarkable since there are no straight walls and you must climb several steps to enter. The bedrooms and baths are on the second level, with an extra bedroom on the top floor. It’s close to the Blaak Railway Station and gives tourists a chance to see some unique buildings.
The architect was inspired by the experience of living in trees, thus each raised cube symbolized living in trees, and collectively represented life in a forest when it came to cube homes. Having inhabitable elevated thin trunks would not only save up space below but also provide a great perspective of the upper portion. Le Corbusier was the inspiration for this design. [Source]
4. Krzywy Domek, Poland – Krzywy Domek is a retail complex based on images from fairy tales. It’s nearly a cartoonish, cramped-looking structure from 2004. The structure is a work of contemporary architecture that combines commerce, culture, and art.
The unique and enchanted Sopot’s Krzywy Domek is an example of fantastic architecture influenced by Jan Szancer’s illustrations. It has won the competition for one of the weirdest buildings in the world, beating out the Kansas City Public Library and the Torre Galatea Figueres in Spain.
Inside, you’ll discover a variety of stores and eateries. The elegant building in Sopot has a motto that says, “Unique and classy but not too posh.” From the outside, the structure seems to be totally fake. Szotynscy and Zaleski, two Polish architects, were inspired by Jan’s illustrations of fairy tale tales and merged them with Per Gahlberg’s artworks.
Surrealistic elements such as stone decors on the elevation, stained glass entrances, and sandstone framed windows contribute to the space’s structure. The roof’s blue-green shingles provide the impression of dragon skin. The look at night is more interesting and distinct.
This interesting structure is a popular shopping destination for locals. People who participate in cultural events may have their names added to the city’s “Wall of Fame,” which is an intriguing custom. For its bold appearance, it is one of the most awarded structures in the world. [Source]
5. The Vessel, Manhattan – The Vessel is a magnificent spiral staircase centerpiece with 154 interconnected flights of steps. Thomas Heatherwick envisioned the ship as a focal point from which to see the city from many perspectives.
A vertical rise at this altitude, along with the connected flights, provides a stunning perspective of the city, river, and beyond. This 28-acre megaproject has completely altered Manhattan’s far west side. The vessel is constructed in the style of a jigsaw puzzle.
The items were made in Italy and transported to the United States. The unique form is intended to make the building shine out all year like a Christmas tree. The structure’s ultimate cost was $200 million. Indian stepwells inspired the jungle gym-like copper-clad stairs. It has a capacity of 1,000 people.
The building also includes elevators and ramps to make it accessible to the handicapped. The structure has been panned for being “Manhattan’s response to the Eiffel Tower.” It was dubbed the “stairway to nowhere” by the New York Times.
The architect was inspired by a childhood recollection of an old abandoned flight of steps at a nearby construction site where he grew up, he added. The desire to build a massive and transformative building on Hudson Yards has drastically altered Manhattan’s appearance.[Source]