10 of the world’s most unusual buildings “When we travel it’s often to see a building… because buildings are endlessly intriguing: things of beauty, symbols of their age and emblems of human endeavour,” according to the newly-released Amazing Architecture: A Spotter’s Guide from Lonely Planet. The book reveals 120 of the world’s great human constructions, and where to see them. Below are 10 of the lesser known buildings featured.
1. Hang Nga guesthouse, popularly known as the Crazy House in Dalat, Vietnam. Lonely Planet says of the design: “think of Gaudí and Tolkien dropping acid together.” Image: Zhukov Oleg/Shutterstock 2. A golden lotus-shaped tower, the delightfully tacky Grand Lisboa has become the landmark by which people navigate the streets of Macau. Image: Tommy Alven/Shutterstock 3. Krzywy Domek, ‘the little crooked house’, is in fact a shopping centre on the main street of Monte Cassino in Sopot, Poland. Image by: Konstantin Tronin/Shutterstock 4. Turning Torso, Malmo Sweden. You can’t miss the dizzy futuristic skyscraper that twists through 90 degrees from bottom to top and stands proudly as the tallest building in Scandinavia. Designed by starchitect Spaniard Santiago Calatrava. Image by: Whitelook/Shutterstock
10 of the world’s most unusual buildings5. The museum of contemporary art in Niteroi near Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Designed by the country’s most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, the building is as popular for the breathtaking views it offers as it is for how it looks. Image: Ostill/Shutterstock
10 of the world’s most unusual buildings6. Astronomical Observatory Jantar Mantar In Jaipur, Rajasthan. The carefully laid out observatory was constructed in 1728. Image: Kenneth Dedeu/Shutterstock
10 of the world’s most unusual buildings7. Parkroyal on Pickering. The dramatic, cascading garden and a striking design evocative of terraced paddy fields: this outstanding hotel is the work of local architecture firm Woha, which designed everything down to the wastepaper baskets. Image: Ariyaphol Jiwalak/Shutterstock
10 of the world’s most unusual buildings
8. The Egg, a center for the performing arts, in Albany, New York. It appears to be a giant concrete bowl on a plinth. Image: Debra Millet/Shutterstock
10 of the world’s most unusual buildings
9. Casa Terracota is considered to be the biggest piece of pottery in the world. Built by hand and baked in the sun, it is open to visitors in Colombia South America. Image by: Ostill/Shutterstock 10. The unique basket shaped building in Newark, Ohio. Built in 1997 as the then headoffice for Longaberger, a company that made baskets that resemble the building. Image: CJM Grafx/Shutterstock 10 of the world’s most unusual buildings
