Top 10 Eccentric Buildings
They light up our world. From works of art to madness, here's a list, some of which I've been lucky enough to see in the flesh.
10. Guggenheim Museum - Bilbao, Spain
No list is possible without architect Frank Gehry. The curves built alongside the Nervion River are typical Gehry and designed to catch the light. Opened to the public in 1997, the museum displays exhibitions by Spanish and international artists, and its unusual design has made it an important tourist attraction for the city. Gehry wanted the design to resemble a ship in honor of Bilbao's port status. The building is made of limestone and glass, with titanium panels that look like fish scales.
9. Dali Theater and Museum – Figueras, Spain
Another Spanish art museum, this one houses the largest collection of Salvador Dali's artworks in the world. Figueras was the artist's birthplace, and he wanted to restore the old theater from the ruins left by the bombs of the Spanish Civil War. The museum opened in 1974 and expanded in the 1980s. Dali controlled the eccentricity of his paintings and sculptures, especially the design that matched the giant eggs on the roof. Dali's grave is in the basement.
8. Change location - Liverpool, England
It's an art installation inside a derelict building that served as an attraction during Liverpool's tenure as European City of Culture. Sculptor Richard Wilson's work surprises passers-by. An oval-shaped 8-meter-diameter section of the wall was cut out and made to rotate in a loop to reveal the inside of the building.
7. Mushroom Tree House – Cincinnati, Ohio
This otherworldly construction looks like it was copied from a children's picture book. It looks like it was never built and just got off the ground. This effect was achieved by the late Terry Brown, a former professor of architecture and interior design at the University of Cincinnati. Brown's students helped with the project and received credit for it.
6. Ripley's Believe It or Not - Branson, Missouri
The Branson museum is one of a chain of museums that house the quirky exhibits of the Ripley's franchise. The building was dedicated to the memory of the devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake in New Madrid, Missouri in 1812. The crack on top of the building gives the impression that it has just survived its own earthquake. Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Orlando, Florida is designed to look like it's sunk into the ground.
5. Robot Building – Bangkok, Thailand
A robotic design by architect Sumet Jumsai houses the headquarters of the United Overseas Bank. Located in the Sathorn business district, this building was completed in 1986 when modern design was in vogue. It's a friendly-looking robot with hooded pupils for windows. The architect's task was to design something that made a statement about the modern, computerized nature of banking.
4. Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain
He didn't like straight lines and avoided them whenever possible! His most ambitious construction, the Sagrada Familia Roman Catholic Church, is still nearing completion. Gaudí worked on it from 1852 until his death in 1926. It is scheduled to be open to the public for worship in 2010. Its towers are the most iconic image of Barcelona and seem like they belong in a fairy tale. The church is full of Christian symbolism dedicated to saints. Gaudí's other famous Barcelona landmarks are Casa Mila and Park Guell.
3. Basket Building – Newark, Ohio
Not many people work on a replica of a hand-woven gift basket! This environment is the headquarters of Longaberger, a successful basket manufacturer. Founder Dave Longaberger wanted all of the company's buildings to be basket-shaped, but after his death, his daughters went against his wishes. However, this 7-story replica of one of the company's products is not the only giant Longaberger basket in the area. Dave also instigated the Apple Basket in Fraserburgh, the House-sized Picnic Basket in Dresden, and the Big Easter Basket in Lorain.
2. Crooked house - Sopot, Poland
The architectural firm of Szotynscy Zaleski drew inspiration from fairytale illustrations and the designs of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí to design this landmark. The appearance of slate roofing is actually covered with blue-green enamel shingles that look like dragon scales. The interior is traditional and consists of bars, shops and cafes.
1. Dance House – Prague, Czech Republic
Tourists from all over the world come to admire the beautiful churches and other historical buildings in Prague, so they are surprised to find this modern gem. It is owned by the Nationale-Nederlanden insurance company and designed by Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry. The construction took place between 1992 and 1996 and was approved by Czech President Vaclav Havel. The French restaurant is located on the roof and offers spectacular views of the city. Other nicknames for the building include Fred and Ginger and the Drunk House.
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