Have you ever seen a building and thought, “What on Earth were they thinking?” Sometimes, architects get a little too creative with their designs, and the results are some of the strangest buildings in the world. From upside-down houses to buildings that look like sandcastles, these structures will make your head spin. So if you’re looking for something truly out-of-the-box, check out these 13 weirdest buildings in the world.
1. The Crooked House, Sopot, Poland
The Crooked House is located in Sopot, Poland. It was designed by Polish architects Szotyńscy & Zaleski, who were inspired by the fairytale illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg. This building is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sopot. Some have criticized the building for its weird design, but others find it fascinating.
2. 30 St Mary Axe, London
Designed by Norman Foster, the Gherkin is one of London’s most iconic buildings. It is a 41-story office building located in the City of London. The building was completed in December 2003 and has since become a symbol of London’s modern skyline. The Gherkin has 46,400 meters square and is home to offices, restaurants, and a bar. The building’s unique shape allows for panoramic views of the city from its top floors.
3. Atomium, Brussels
The Atomium is a landmark structure in Brussels, Belgium. It was built for Expo ’58, the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. The Atomium is 102 meters (335 ft) tall and has nine steel spheres connected by tubes. Each sphere is 18 meters (59 ft) in diameter. The structure is open to the public and features a restaurant, museum, and observation deck.
4. Lotus Temple, Delhi
The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Bahá’í House of Worship completed in 1986. Designed by Iranian-born architect Fariborz Sahba, the Lotus Temple is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The building’s seven-petaled lotus shape symbolizes the seven religions of the world. The Lotus Temple is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds and has become a popular tourist destination.
5. Casa Mila, Barcelona
Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is a modernist building in Barcelona, Spain. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, Casa Milà was built between 1906 and 1912. The structure comprises two courtyards, two spiral staircases, and a roof terrace. Casa Milà was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
6. Turning Torso, Malmö
Turning Torso is a skyscraper located in Malmö, Sweden. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, Turning Torso was completed in 2005. The building has a height of 190 meters (620 feet) and features 57 floors. Turning Torso is the tallest building in Scandinavia and is considered one of the world’s most innovative and unique buildings.
7. Bird’s Nest, Beijing
The Bird’s Nest is a stadium located in Beijing, China. Built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Bird’s Nest has a capacity of 80,000 spectators. The Chinese tradition of tying knots inspired the stadium’s unique design. The Bird’s Nest is one of the most iconic buildings in China and has become a symbol of the city of Beijing.
8. Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
The Petronas Towers, also known as the Petronas Twin Towers, are skyscrapers located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The buildings were designed by Argentine architect César Pelli and are the tallest twin towers globally. The Petronas Towers have a height of 451.9 meters (1,483 feet) and feature 88 floors. The buildings are connected by a sky bridge on the 41st floor. The Petronas Towers are home to offices, restaurants, and a shopping mall.
9. Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum is a museum located in the city of Niterói, Brazil. The museum was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and opened to the public in 1996. The museum is situated on a peninsula overlooking the Bay of Guanabara. The shape of a flying saucer inspires the building’s design. The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum houses a collection of contemporary art worldwide.
10. Igloo City, Alaska
Igloo City is an igloo-shaped hotel located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. The hotel was built in 1972 and has been a popular tourist destination. Igloo City has 58 rooms, each of which is shaped like an igloo. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, and sauna.
11. Kansas City Library (Missouri, USA)
On the list of the world’s weirdest buildings, the Kansas City Library takes the eleventh spot. The fantastic piece of architecture designed by Hackney, W.F. et al. resemble books on the side each other. The building is 25 feet tall, and it houses a public library and parking garage as well.
12. Basket Building, USA
The Basket Building in Ohio, USA, is one of the weirdest and most unique buildings. It is the headquarters of Longaberger Basket Company and is a replica of their medium-sized basket, only 160 times larger. The building has two attached handles and is a prime tourist attraction in the city. It is one of the few buildings that have preserved all the details of its design.
13. Stone House, Portugal
The Stone House in Portugal is a weird building that will blow your mind. It is located in the Fate mountains and was built in 1974. It was inspired by the flintstone cartoon and is made from two huge rocks linked by a concrete mixture. This makes it feel like a prehistoric structure, and it is one of the finest tourist attractions in Portugal.
Apart from these buildings, you can also consider the wooden gagster house, the nautilus house Mexico City, and the dancing house.
Also Check: The 20 Weirdest Majors For Unique Students To Study
Conclusion
The buildings on this list are some of the most unique and mind-blowing structures in the world. Some were built for practical purposes, while others were created as works of art. No matter what their purpose, all of these buildings will leave you wondering how they were ever constructed in the first place. Have you seen any of these weird buildings before? What was your reaction?
