Top 10 Most Extraordinary Houses Around the World

When it comes to China, no one can deny the incredible growth of its economy, alongside its unique architectural projects. The Piano House, shaped like a giant piano, stands as a symbol of Huaian City. This architectural marvel has become a must-see attraction for travelers from around the world. Inside, crystal violin staircases lead visitors to an art gallery located within the body of the piano. This is a stunning example of modern Chinese art and architecture.

As China's economy has boomed in recent years, the country has seen a surge in architectural wonders that blend ancient and contemporary styles. The Piano House is a standout example in Huaian City, featuring a violin-shaped structure leaning against a grand piano. The design is elegant and sophisticated, with transparent violin walls, allowing visitors to see the bustling crowds inside. The crystal staircases guide visitors up to the exhibition room housed within the massive black piano.

The Dancing House is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden Building in the heart of Prague, Czech Republic. Located at Rašínovo nábřeží 80, 120 00 Praha 2, the building was designed by Croatian architect Vlado Milunić in collaboration with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The construction took place on a vacant riverside plot (destroyed during the 1945 Prague bombing), with design work starting in 1992 and completion in 1996. The building's highly unconventional and controversial design was met with mixed reactions at the time. Czech President Václav Havel, who had lived nearby for decades, supported the project, hoping it would become a cultural center for the city.

Originally named Fred and Ginger, after the legendary dance duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the building is a striking contrast to the traditional Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture that characterizes Prague. It’s also sometimes called the “Drunken House” because of its unique, fluid design. On the roof, a French restaurant offers panoramic views of the city. The building houses multinational companies as tenants and is regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Its blend of old-world charm and modern architecture makes it a standout landmark and a favorite among visitors.

Does this house intrigue you? At first glance, it appears to be a giant shopping basket. This unique architectural design was inspired by Lavy Longaberger, the founder of a company that specializes in crafting baskets and household items. The building stands 24 meters tall, with its basket handle weighing 75 tons. Inside the handle, you’ll find all the amenities one could need, including a cozy fireplace. The architect also maximized space to make the interior compact yet functional. Inside, vibrant green and blue glass panels are a striking feature of the building. If you ever visit Newark, make sure to stop by this fascinating structure!

Originally serving as the headquarters for The Longaberger Co., the building was vacated by the company in 2016, and the facility closed two years later. The seven-story building, covering nearly 90,000 square meters, is set in a picturesque location with views of the surrounding nature. It also features a sports center, a conference hall, a restaurant, and even a small pond just a few steps from the entrance. It’s like a miniature world inside a charming wooden basket. The pond is filled with lush greenery and sunlight, while the grand hall exudes elegance with its refined color palette. The airy corridors are bathed in natural light, thanks to skylights. In 2018, project developer Steve Coon purchased the building for $1.2 million.

When visiting South Korea, you’ll not only enjoy delicious food but also encounter some truly unique and unusual sights. One such marvel is the Haewoojae House, located about 46 kilometers south of Seoul, designed to resemble a giant toilet. The architect’s inspiration for this design came from a desire to raise awareness about environmental protection and the importance of having proper toilet facilities in homes. It’s a place that everyone should visit to appreciate its quirky and innovative architecture.

According to its owner, this is the world’s first toilet-shaped house. The two-story building covers nearly 420 square meters, with a small garden at the front. Constructed with steel and concrete, the house cost around $1.1 million and took six months to complete. Inside, there’s a grand spiral staircase, and the main entrance is accessed via a rooftop balcony that wraps around the edge of the building. At the center of the house is a large, single bathroom. A special feature of the house is a sensor system that plays classical music when guests enter.

The rural landscapes of France often evoke images of vast sunflower fields, lavender blooms, and charming stone cottages. However, there is one house in the countryside that brings an unexpected futuristic flair to the neighborhood. The Heliodome Solar House is a striking modern structure that resembles a giant 3D sundial, positioned at a fixed angle to align with the movement of the sun. Its innovative design has attracted attention from visitors eager to see this unique architectural marvel.

This solar-powered home is designed to stay cool in the summer while naturally warming the interior during the colder months. The home has become a one-of-a-kind piece of architecture that can only be found in France. The owner, Eric Wasser, decided to replace a traditional wooden house design with this energy-efficient model to meet his need for sustainable living. The Heliodome is designed like a solar clock, aimed at harnessing the power of sunlight to create an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

Normally a skilled cabinetmaker, Wasser took a break from his trade to construct this eco-friendly home. He carefully positioned the house at an angle that provides shade during the hot summer months, keeping the temperature inside cool and comfortable. In winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, the house still receives enough sunlight to warm the interior naturally.

Many buildings in cities can seem so identical that they could easily be mistaken for twins or products of the same design. Why must every corner be a right angle? Why do office buildings always have such serious, boxy designs? Beautiful architecture is an art, not a simple mechanical task. With romantic, creative designs, unique and extraordinary buildings can emerge. The Green House in Rotterdam is one such example of architectural individuality.

The story of the Green House begins with an old, abandoned building whose owner is unknown. It stood on the historic streets of Delfshaven, where local authorities once planned to replace it with modern buildings. However, a proposal was made to repaint this house in a striking sky-blue color. This bold and unusual decision turned the house into a major attraction, drawing tourists from all over and making it one of the most photographed sites in Rotterdam. Now, it stands as a renowned architectural wonder in the Netherlands, having become a symbol of creative design and urban uniqueness.

One of the most striking and unusual sights in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, is the massive bookshelf façade that covers the front of the library's parking garage. This enormous bookshelf is said to be the largest in the world, featuring 22 different book spines, including iconic titles like Ray Bradbury's *Fahrenheit 451* and the *Tao Te Ching* by Lao Tzu. As you walk by these giant books, you'll surely wonder how they were created and who chose the titles. Shrubs and trees obscure many of the book spines, so the best time to view this colossal bookshelf is during the winter months.

If you ever find yourself in Kansas City, don't miss this giant bookshelf in the heart of downtown. It's truly a unique destination. The towering book spines make for an impressive photo backdrop, making it a modern marvel in the U.S. This unique design, reminiscent of grand bookshelves, was born from an idea inspired by public input. These oversized books have become a decorative highlight of the library, adding to its distinct charm.

With its modern and innovative design, this library has become a must-see spot for architecture lovers. At the Kansas State Library, you'll experience the perfect blend of old-world charm and cutting-edge style. From a distance, the book covers seem like solid blocks, but as you get closer, you can see that they are made of several panels fastened together with bolts. The weather has certainly left its mark on the book covers, with visible signs of wear and tear on the edges.

The Upside-Down House was designed by Daniel Shapeski with the aim of reflecting a time in Poland's history when things seemed to go against the social norms, as though the world itself were upside down. Initially, the project was supposed to be completed in three weeks, but it ended up taking 114 days to finish. Visitors to this quirky structure often experience headaches and dizziness. Many feel as if not just the house, but the entire world, has been turned upside down, with even the furniture and surroundings placed in odd, disorienting positions. While it may not be a place to live, tourists are drawn by the curiosity of experiencing such a bizarre architectural model.

Inspired by the concept of this upside-down house, Polish architects Klausdiusz Golos and Sebastian Mikiciuk later created another fully inverted house in Usedom Island in northern Germany. Though this home is designed for a small family, everything inside it is flipped — a surreal reflection of the original idea. Visitors eagerly line up to see this curious home, wondering what the world looks like from the perspective of an upside-down room.

At first, the house was built like any other, but it was the unique design and decor that set it apart. By opening the house to the public, crowds of curious visitors gather early in the day to experience what it might be like to live in a world turned on its head. The architects' intent is not just to entertain tourists, but to send a message about a world that's increasingly off-balance.

The Crooked House, designed by the Szotynski & Zaleski architectural firm, draws inspiration from a famous illustration by Polish artist Jan Marcin Szancer and Swedish illustrator Per Dahlberg, both known for their children's book art. The name 'Krzywy Domek' sparks curiosity, translating to 'the crooked house'. Creating such a twisted and surreal design took Dahlberg a considerable amount of time and effort.

One of the key influences for the design came from Szancer's fairy tale illustrations. Unlike the upside-down house in the Netherlands, this crooked house is part of the Rezydent shopping center. Since its completion, this unique structure has become a major tourist attraction, luring visitors with its intriguing appearance. Step inside to experience its modern and unconventional design, all within a sprawling 4,000 m² shopping area.

Located on Monte Cassino Street in Sopot, the Krzywy Domek has three floors and blends into the larger Rezydent shopping complex. While it may appear to be warped and distorted from the outside, inside, the space is carefully designed for easy shopping. Since its opening in 2004, the Crooked House has been one of the most impressive spots for tourists to visit while in Poland. With its unique architecture, it's become a must-see landmark, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Though its façade may look skewed and irregular, the interior of the Crooked House is functional and perfectly laid out for retail use. It's not just a place for admiring unusual design, but also for shopping, attending lively events, dining in traditional restaurants, and experiencing the everyday hustle and bustle of local life. A visit to the Krzywy Domek promises an enchanting, almost magical experience that's sure to captivate anyone who steps inside.

Thailand is one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world, offering visitors many fascinating and unique attractions. Architect Sumet Djumsai designed the Robot Building as a symbol of the computerized banking system. He chose the image of a robot to bring his concept to life.

Located in the Sathorn business district, the Robot Building houses the headquarters of the Bank of Asia, a branch of United Overseas Bank. The building’s striking, robot-inspired design has attracted millions of visitors each year. Standing at over 20 stories tall, this modern, luxurious architectural masterpiece commands attention.

The building spans a total floor area of 23,506 square meters. The floors gradually reduce in size as you move upward, with the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 18th floors following a tapered design. This hourglass shape not only resembles the body of a robot but also complies with regulations regarding setbacks and an 18-degree incline on either side of the building’s perimeter. The ground floor features a double-height lobby, serving as a grand entrance to the bank. The interior design, developed in collaboration with 7 Associates, complements the robotic shape of the structure.

At the building’s entrance, four sculptures by Thai artist Thaveechai Nitiprabha stand as imposing figures. The mezzanine level contains office spaces and meeting rooms, while the second floor features a large multi-purpose hall, offices, and training rooms. The upper floors are dedicated to shared office spaces. A parking area with eight zones is located behind the main building.