Some Of The Most Insane Houses From Around the World

Architects try to blend design and functionality in a workable balance. Usually, this will produce a building that is comfortable and appealing. These buildings, however, took the design part of the equation to the extreme and became unheard-of structures.

House of Stone

One look at this house in the Fafe Mountains of Portugal will have you thinking of the Flintstones. The structure was built simply by putting 4 boulders next to each other, and relies on a fireplace for warmth and light instead of electricity. The simple retreat has become a tourist destination, as well as a challenge for people to become more in touch with basics.

Toilet-Shaped House

Sim Jae-duck is the chairman of the World Toilet Association, and he is very passionate about his job. Jae-duck, also known as Mr. Toilet, tore down his home to erect a $1.1 million toilet-shaped building to live in instead. You can probably guess the house’s main feature: a luxurious bathroom is located in the middle of the building with floor-to-ceiling glass that turns opaque with the touch of a button.

Cube Houses

The Cube Houses in Rotterdam, Netherlands were built as an architecture experiment to encourage interaction between the public (the downstairs building) and the private (the upstairs cube). The complex functions as a pedestrian bridge, but the cubes do have tenants.

Pod House

It’s clear why this whimsical structure is also referred to as the “Mushroom House.” The house is made up of 5 interconnected pods that are each supported by a thin beam. The structure was designated a town landmark in Perinton, NY in 1989 and it continues to draw tourists.

Verrueckte Haus

This “Crazy House” draws people from all over to Bispingen, Germany to take a gander at the famous upside-down house. Touring the residence is just as dizzying as the exterior, with all of the furniture and utilities screwed to the ceiling…or is it the floor?

Tardigrade House

This fishy residence is located in Berkeley, CA, and locals aptly refer to it as the “Fish House.” The microscopic tardigrade, which the home is modeled after, is known as the world’s most indestructible creature, and this house replicates that quality. The Tardigrade House was built to be fireproof, earthquake-proof, flood-proof, and termite-proof.

Fab Lab House

The Instituto de Arquitectura Avanzada de Catalunya built this house as a part of the 2011 Solar Decathlon Europe, and as such, made it incredibly eco-conscious by using the world’s most efficient flexible solar panels. The house drew most attention for its unique shape, however, and has earned several nicknames, like “Peanut House,” “Cinnamon Submarine,” “Forest Zeppelin,” and “Whale Belly.”

Mobile Egg House

After graduating with his degree in architecture, Dai Haifei decided to find a creative way to avoid Beijing’s astronomical rent prices. The solution was building his own home on the cheap. Haifei dropped only $964 to build his 6 feet tall, mobile, egg-shaped home. The pod is made from bamboo splints, sack bags, wood chippings, and grass seeds.

Hang Nga Guesthouse

This concrete treehouse in Da Lat, Vietnam clearly draws its inspiration from Gaudi’s peculiar designs. The guesthouse features tunnels, ladders, and hollowed-out rooms which are available for tours and night stays.