From hovering homes floating above the landscape to historic façades peeling away and mirror homes hidden in the horizon, these optical illusion houses will have you questioning what is real. Leave your expectations at the door and let's explore some surreal estate...

Nestled within a landscape of volcanic rock and vines, this incredible contemporary home, planned for a site on the Greek island of Santorini, appears to hover above its rural surroundings. Designed by Kapsimalis Architecture, the ground floor is clad in mirrored panels, reflecting the earthy terrain.

Depicted by Antonis Tzortzis, the proposed property features a striking rammed earth roof that pays homage to the volcanic rock landscape. To the east of the property, an elongated swimming pool amplifies the feeling of weightlessness, reflecting the blue of the sky, which is also seen across the façade of the magnificent mirrored home. 

Swathes of windows frame the spectacular views for the ocean-view home, while a contemporary fireplace keeps things cosy come the winter. The best bit? From the balcony, you can glimpse 30 miles of uninterrupted coastline. If you've got a head for heights, the Pole House is available to rent for holidays down under.

Located in California's Coachella Valley, the Mirage house is a model of a classic American ranch, but has a twist as it's clad completely in mirrors, inside and out. Designed by artist Doug Atiken, the stunning building disappears into its arid surroundings due to its reflective exterior. 

Designed by Reform Architekt, this sleek, modernist house plays a trick on the senses. From a distance, the structure, which is found in the woodlands of Poland's Masovian Voivodeship, resembles a white shell with a hollow centre. On further inspection, however, all is not as it seems...

The perfect forest retreat, the house is split across two levels, although from a distance, the bottom floor seems to disappear into the natural landscape. Inside, the home is no less spectacular, with sleek streamlined living spaces and a concealed garage.

Fancy building your own optical illusion house? Clad in mirrored glass, this tiny pre-fab home blends into its environment, no matter where you decide to put down roots. Called the ÖÖD house, the clever shiny façade reflects its surroundings, allowing the structure to melt seamlessly into the landscape.

Nestled in the woodlands of Ontario, this dazzling mirrored home by UUfie architects looks like a mirage at first glance. Blurring the line between architecture and nature, the façade draws the rural landscape inside, creating the illusion of secondary forest sheltering within the structure.

A dramatic home that plays tricks on the eye doesn't have to cost the earth. Aptly named Casa Invisibile, this property designed by DMAA and photographed by Christian Brandstaetter, is an affordable prefabricated housing unit designed to fit an array of different terrains.

Measuring 484 square feet, the cosy property can be easily transported to its plot by lorry. Inside, the Scandi-style interior is clad in beautiful light wood, while swathes of glass flood the stylish living area with light. 

Hidden among the trees in the Swedish wilderness, this nearly-invisible treehouse blends in amongst the forest canopy. Part of the Treehotel in Harads, northern Sweden, the pocket-sized property has just enough space to accommodate two guests.

Accessed by a rope bridge, the mirrored structure reflects the surrounding woodlands and sky to stunning effect, while six internal windows allow residents to admire the views from inside the amazing treehouse. 

Measuring a snug 172 square feet, the interior features a double bed, toilet and seating area. Anchoring the one-room space, a tree trunk grows through the centre of the living area, while behind the mirrored façade, a hidden balcony allows guests to enter the box without being seen. 

Designed by Kois Associated Architects, the house was built as an invisible oasis, obscured even from the sky. Part of the property is buried in the rocky landscape, while the pool acts as a mirror, reflecting the sky and camouflaging the structure. 

Decked out in white and light wood tones, a large coastal-inspired living area sits open to the elements at the front of the secretive dwelling, allowing a cool sea breeze to flow through the space. Talk about a room with a jaw-dropping view!

Located just outside the Italian city of Bolzano, the Mirror Houses are a pair of stunning properties set amongst the beautiful surroundings of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Holding a mirror up to their stunning rural setting, the reflective duo are nothing short of spectacular.

At first glance, this street in the English seaside town of Margate looks pretty unassuming, until you notice the curved brick house whose façade appears to be sliding off. The building had been derelict for 11 years when British artist Alex Chinneck used it for this innovative project entitled From the Knees of My Nose to the Belly of My Toes in 2013​. 

In 2018, this derelict office building in Kent received a rather unexpected makeover. Scheduled for demolition, Alex created a striking installation called Open to the Public, affixing a double zip down the centre of the structure. Partially unzipped, the walls of the top storey seem to fall away from the building, revealing the office interior.

To mark 2019's Milan Design Week, Alex took his playful aesthetic to the streets of the iconic Italian city, with a project known as A Sprinkle of Night and a Spoonful of Light. Featuring a larger-than-life zip seemingly secured to the brickwork of a traditional Milanese building, the façade appears to peel away from the structure, offering a whimsical reimagining of the city's historic architecture.

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