If you ever feel like some architects live in their own fantasy land, you’re not the only one. The buildings that they create can range from majestic all the way to magical, and they’re sure to catch your eye with their flying buttresses, stoic columns, angelic balconies, and fearsome facades. However, you can sometimes get the idea that some of these artistic innovators haven’t fully thought some things through—like the fact that people actually have to live and work in the buildings they design.
We’ve got some dreamy and confusing buildings to show you today, dear Pandas, so take out your opera glasses, grab yourself some popcorn, and let’s go take a tour through the crème de la crème of the ‘Bizarre Buildings’ subreddit. Check out some of the coolest-looking buildings that people might have a hard time living in, upvote the ones that you enjoyed the most, and let us know which one you’d pick as your home in the comment section.
I had a lovely chat about architecture with Dr. June Komisar from Ryerson University.Dr. Komisar, who is a specialist in architectural design, the history and theory of architecture, and designing for urban agriculture, told Bored Panda that professionals should look to the “wise” ancient Roman writer Vitruvius for inspiration. “What he said about balancing commodity (the suitability of the building to needs), firmness (structural integrity), and delight (the aesthetics of the building and its relationship to site and context) still holds.”#1
600 Year Old Clock Located In Prague Is The World’s Oldest Astrological Clock Still In Operation!
Brian Bennett12 hours ago
Now this has Character!14ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#2
Cat Shaped Kindergarten, Germany
Alexandra Nara13 hours ago
It´s in my hometown and dedicated to T. Ungerer, author and artist of many wellknown books44ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#3
Pavilion Of The Enlightened, Thailand
westernmail Report146pointsPOST
Red rockin lobster12 hours ago
This is something fantastic25ReplyView more comments
Dr. Komisar pointed out to Bored Panda that no matter how good an architect is, they won’t be able to be prepared for all potential problems and eventualities. “But understanding the site conditions and evaluating other buildings using the same construction techniques and materials can help avoid problems,” she said.
I was also interested to learn about how architects can innovate and create originality when it sometimes seems like every single idea has already be done. According to Dr. Komisar, the changes don’t have to be something profound. Start small.#4
The Evolution Of This Building Can Be Seen In It’s Masonry
Alexandra Nara14 hours ago
reminds of tree-rings showing decades32ReplyView more comments#5
This Building In Guizhou, China
Looks_pretty_cool Report132pointsPOST
Alexandra Nara14 hours ago
love the huge balconies60ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#6
The National Carpet Museum In Baku, Azerbaijan
abaganoush Report132pointsPOST
Aaron Chavez13 hours ago
thats quite clever22ReplyView More Replies…View more comments
“Innovation does not have to be radical, but can be an incremental change that will benefit the users and society at large. At the moment we have a huge opportunity to build sustainable buildings that approach or attain a ‘net zero’ energy cost. By using local and/or sustainable materials, designing for passive and/or active solar and wind power, designing for very low energy usage, and renovating and adapting existing buildings we can help to mitigate climate change.”
Dr. Komisar continued: “Addressing this environmental crisis is not only an issue that we must address but also is a tremendous opportunity for design innovation. Addressing these concerns will most definitely introduce a variety of creative solutions.”#7
Unique Housing In Netherlands
tanmaypendse63 Report128pointsPOST
Kristal13 hours ago
Oh, this is awesome23ReplyView more comments#8
Giant 16th-Century ‘Colossus’ Sculpture In Florence, Italy Has Entire Rooms Hidden Inside
comics0026 Report128pointsPOST
Brian Bennett13 hours ago
Love the sculpture – room looks more like a hide out than living quarters.19ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#9
The Interlace – Singapore
Red rockin lobster13 hours ago
like playing with wafers33ReplyView More Replies…View more comments
Architecture is a tough nut to crack. On the one hand, it’s a very functional and rational sphere of activity that literally designs the spaces in which we live, work, and sleep. On the other hand, it’s an artistic expression that puts form on the same level of importance as function. After all, if you’re going to build something (anything!) at all, why not make it stunning?
So of course, it’s up to the architect to solve an engineer’s ever-lasting riddle: how do you innovate and create something iconic while also making sure that your building doesn’t cause people to riot and denounce it in the news?#10
Turtle Building
Brian Bennett13 hours ago
Now that is smart and it suits the surrounding area – super cool!17ReplyView more comments#11
Living Like A Caveman With Modern Amenities
Potatogamers212 hours ago
I want one. Give me. NOW25ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#12
The Department Of Fisheries In Hyderabad, India
GreenPlasticChair Report118pointsPOST
Brian Bennett13 hours ago
Cool and Chubby.18ReplyView More Replies…View more comments
Well, 99 Designs points out that buildings should be innovative, eye-catching, and ought to pop out of their surroundings. And that means bending the rules and bucking (at least some) conventions.
However, paradoxically, the architect should also be very aware of the building’s surroundings, using them as a complementary backdrop. You can still have your modern masterpiece as long as you pay tribute to the building’s more traditional surroundings with the details, colors, etc.
And it’s with regards to the surroundings that your choice of materials and the way that you shape your project come in—they’re deeply expressive decisions that you should be thinking about as soon as you start sketching out your ideas for your project.
And always, always keep in mind that even though you’re creating a work of art, it’s got to be practical. Otherwise, what’s the point of architecture when sculpture-making would give you the full freedom to express yourself.#13
This Is What Happens When The Owner Of One Half Of A Townhouse Refuses To Sell
Brian Bennett14 hours ago
Was it half price?17ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#14
The Sheep Building (Tirau, Waikato, New Zealand)
Athena5000 Report109pointsPOST
Billy The Kid10 hours ago(edited)
I would feel too sheepish to live there13ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#15
When Your Growing Family Needs An Upgrade But You Love That Cozy Cottage
Madre_Dr4gnZFly10 hours ago
Kinda how I imagined the Weasleys home would look.59ReplyView More Replies…View more comments
The r/bizarrebuildings community celebrated its 5th birthday just a few short months ago, in March, and it’s going strong. Currently, the subreddit has over 131k members and we can see that number rising in the future.
Be sure to give the community a visit if you enjoyed the photos in this list. Pop in for a quick ‘hello, how are you?’ or consider posting a weird-looking yet totally awesome building, too.
“If it’s a bizarre building, it belongs here. No, not pictures of buildings having a Christmas bizarre [look]. We want unique, one-of-a-kind buildings!” the ‘Bizarre Buildings’ moderators shared what their online group is all about.
You heard it here, folks—your regular holiday-decoration-bizarre just won’t cut it. You’ve got to go for bizarre bizarre. Crank the weirdness all the way up to eleven so even Alice thinks she’s still in Wonderland. Just remember that when you innovate, you also have the ability to do the climate some good, too!#16
Japanese Moka Train Station In A Shape Of A Locomotive
Longrua1231 Report102pointsPOST
Becklass12 hours ago
I’m loving the literal buildings!21ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#17
An Original 1930’s Shell Gas Station
Inkblot Butterfly10 hours ago
McDonalds fries xd12ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#18
This Is The Proposed Crescent Moon Tower For Dubai
Sara Rodrigues12 hours ago
So it hasn’t been built yet? Or is it under construction? It looks beautiful anyway!22ReplyView more comments#19
Container House In The Desert
Yoda_Holmes Report92pointsPOST
Becklass12 hours ago
It looks like a blossoming flower.16ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#20
Kazakhstan’s Tower Of The Sun By Fundamental Architects
earthmoonsun Report92pointsPOST
Billy The Kid10 hours ago
I can imagine a jet flying right through that.12ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#21
This One-Of-A-Kind Pixelated Facade On The Mahanakhon Tower In Bangkok, Thailand
the child12 hours ago
Spiderverse glitch?16ReplyView more comments#22
Treehouse Restaurant (Demolished), Okinawa
Eyeletblack Report91pointsPOST
Sara Rodrigues12 hours ago
It was demolished??? D:22ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#23
Tianzi Hotel, China
Creepy_Green_Light_ Report87pointsPOST
Kristal13 hours ago
I like it! I would like to stay in the smiling old guy wing, please21ReplyView more comments#24
When You’re An Architect Whose Brother-In-Law Owns A Struggling Window Store
mike_pants Report86pointsPOST
Brian Bennett14 hours ago
Well I can SEE the problem!14ReplyView more comments#25
An Awesome Building In Chile
Maroon12 hours ago
Poor birds!53ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#26
Abandoned Potato Sorting Station In Ukraine
Dvisionvoid Report83pointsPOST
Giamaica14 hours ago
howl’s moving castle!55ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#27
The Stockholm Telephone Tower With Approximately 5,500 Telephone Lines, 1890
earthmoonsun Report80pointsPOST
Billy The Kid12 hours ago(edited)
So we have a problem with one of the lines. Do you know which one it is?25ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#28
Walden 7 In Barcelona, Spain
earthmoonsun Report74pointsPOST
RaroaRaroa11 hours ago
I had to see inside. Stunning. https://aconstellationjournal.com/2016/05/visit-walden-7/19ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#29
Inverted Pyramid House In Spain
earthmoonsun Report72pointsPOST
Sandy Dyer13 hours ago
I love this one, mainly for the pool34ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#30
Sou Fujimoto’s “Arbre Blanc” Tower In Montpellier, France
Danielle Keller14 hours ago
Who lives in a pineapple under the sun?29ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#31
When You Have The Money But Not The Land (Batié, Cameroon)
Adam C14 hours ago
House Jenga23ReplyView more comments#32
This Tiny House
Tambot14 hours ago
I couldn’t imagine dragging my large weekly grocery shopping up those steps!!!41ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#33
Saemoonan Church In Seoul, Korea
Vicky Z10 hours ago
Wow that’s a very impressive church11ReplyView more comments#34
There’s A Huge Open Market In The Netherlands With Apartments Inside
Potatogamers212 hours ago(edited)
The market inside is pretty, but annoying on a busy day and the products are expensive. But nice to walk through when you’re in the city. Edit: the ‘open’ isn’t really open, as it’s still inside. It’s a market as in a market square with stalls, but inside.15ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#35
Bizarre Chicken
Kristal13 hours ago
Holy bawk bawk29ReplyView more comments#36
Seafood Restaurant? An Institute For Marine Biology? Or A Headquarters For Crab People Hiding In Plain Sight?!
FoxFoxington Report57pointsPOST
Billy The Kid9 hours ago
Don’t even think about breaking into there unless you want to get pinched6ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#37
“Local Man In Altus, Ok Arrested After Firing A Trebuchet At A Group Of Girl Scouts. His Wife Was Quoted As Saying ‘I Wish I Hadn’t Given In To Him Begging For That Damn Castle Turret When We Had The House Built, He’s Been Mentally Stuck In The Middle Ages Since 1981’”
AsymptoticAbyss Report55pointsPOST
kjorn9 hours ago
What? No Moat?10ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#38
Austria
smokinpeteria Report55pointsPOST
Hermione12 hours ago
The house is allergic to reapplied roof paint?52ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#39
“My Apartment Is Right Off The Highway”
Brian Bennett14 hours ago
I hope they somehow did something about air and noise pollution in this nutty idea.26ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#40
Apartment In Katayama, Japan
earthmoonsun Report53pointsPOST
Karin Gibson11 hours ago
It really fits in with the neighbourhood9ReplyView more comments#41
Shenzhen International Airport Looks Like A Giant Airplane
Brian Bennett12 hours ago
Very practical and does not look as confusing as most airports.10ReplyView more comments#42
Store Front In Kyoto
Giles McArdell11 hours ago
I’d be tempted to run the drainpipes through the nose 🙂16ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#43
The Largest Hotel In The World, With A Staggering 10,000 Rooms Is Currently Under Construction In Saudi Arabia
Tomas Holicka12 hours ago
I can only see 4 heliports. What if I want to arrive in my 5 helicopters? This hotel sucks!49ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#44
A Rare Sighting Of Two Buildings In The Wild Having Intercourse
N G12 hours ago
hey you two… get a room32ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#45
University Of Technology Sydney (Uts)’s Business School Building
Sandy Dyer14 hours ago
It kind of looks like a kid’s cardboard box fort after it’s been left out in the rain!33ReplyView more comments#46
The Frame In Dubai- Elevator Up, Walk Across A Glass Floor, Elevator Down
lovesliterati Report45pointsPOST
Becklass12 hours ago
Nope18ReplyView more comments#47
Spiral House, Ramat Gan
Zvi Hecker Report44pointsPOST
Brian Bennett13 hours ago
If this is one home can you imagine the amount of walking to do ANYTHING.10ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#48
The Peachoid, A 135 Feet (41 M) Tall Water Tower In Gaffney, South Carolina
Becklass12 hours ago
Does James live there?18ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#49
The New Louis Vuitton Store In Tokyo
Konpat11 hours ago
That’s one ugly ass building15ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#50
Plot #1282, A Residential Building In Beirut Designed By Bernard Khoury
sacrecoeur1206 Report36pointsPOST
Brian Bennett13 hours ago
Looks the the skeleton of a bloody ship.34ReplyView More Replies…View more comments
Note: this post originally had 71 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
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FollowJonas GrinevičiusWriter, BoredPanda staff
Jonas is a Bored Panda writer who previously worked as a world news journalist elsewhere. After getting his bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations at the University of Manchester, he returned home and graduated from Vilnius University with a master’s degree in Comparative Politics. Jonas enjoys writing articles ranging from serious topics like politics and social issues to more lighthearted things like art, pop culture, and nature. In his spare time, Jonas writes books and short stories and likes to draw lighthearted illustrations. A huge fan of literature, films, philosophy, and tabletop games, he also has a special place in his heart for anything related to fantasy or science fiction. Read more »
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