Surreal estate: the world’s weirdest properties
It's home... but not as we know it
From seahorse-shaped homes floating on water to tiny properties shaped like giant eggs, architecture has never been so exciting. We take a look at some of the ways architects are reshaping our homes with creative and fantastical ideas. One thing’s for sure, you'll never look at property in the same way again...
A House to Die In, Oslo, Norway
Built to function as both a sculpture and as a house, A House to Die In, in Oslo, is being built for Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard. The eye-catching structure was built close to painter Edvard Munch’s former home to continue the area’s tradition as an artistic hub. It's an extraordinary structure, in which a wooden house rests upon animal-shaped sculptures.
A House to Die In, Oslo, Norway
The project, which is still ongoing, has been carefully designed with the future in mind. A shallow pond is situated under the building to give the illusion of floating, while the exterior is covered with black, burned oak. This material, inspired by building traditions in Japan, will naturally erode over the years, enabling the home to continue to change character as it ages.
A House to Die In, Oslo, Norway
While final images of the house's interior aren’t yet available as the building is still ongoing, the structure is intriguing, with rooms serving multiple purposes: for example, one room functions as both a swimming pool and a dining room, while another is both a workspace and a spa.
Blob VB3
Taking the mobile home concept to the extreme, Belgian architectural firm dmvA designed this egg-shaped mobile unit as a multifunctional home that can be adapted to individual needs. The futuristic structure isn't just practical, but its stylish shape makes it artistic, too.
Blob VB3
Despite its small stature, the blob is surprisingly roomy. The side of the house can be opened to function as a porch, allowing heat, light and ventilation into the structure on warmer days, and offering guests and residents easy access. Constructed out of polyester, the Blob VB3 is light enough to be moved to any location you like.
Blob VB3
Inside, the open-plan living space contains a bathroom, kitchen and a space that can be used as an office, a bedroom or a guest house. Built into a compact area of 215 square feet, the blob can be adapted for any use: you could use it as your very own travelling tiny house, or keep it in your garden for an extra special office for those working from home days.
Blob VB3
Maximising space is crucial in such a small home, which is why its interior walls are made of a lattice of shelving pods that can be used as a sleeping area and space to store personal belongings. There is even lighting inside, so that moving in is a breeze. You can find more tiny homes that can be built in a flash here.
Konieczny's Ark, Krakow, Poland
Any homeowner who has ever worried about security should take inspiration from Konieczny’s Ark, a bible-inspired house designed by Polish architect Robert Konieczny for his own family. The building, which twists away from the slope so only the entrance can be easily accessed from the hillside, can close up entirely when the family is away.
Konieczny's Ark, Krakow, Poland
The angular building takes inspiration from the functionality of Noah’s Ark: as well as a sliding wall that can conceal the windows there’s also a drawbridge that can be brought up for maximum privacy and security. The one-storey house offers pretty views through large windows that also let lots of light into the interior.
Konieczny's Ark, Krakow, Poland
However, the building’s position above the hillside isn’t just security-savvy: it also prevents any damage to the home as a result of the land moving. The unusual location means that rainwater naturally flows under the house, adding to the ark-like qualities.
Konieczny's Ark, Krakow, Poland
One of the unexpected effects of building the ark was how local animals reacted to it: the name of ark seems more appropriate than ever given how often animals living nearby stand beneath the house for shelter during rain or wind.
The Keret House, Warsaw, Poland
If you thought you were pressed for space in your house, spare a thought for the owners of this narrow house, the Keret House, in Warsaw. Built in 2012 to demonstrate the need for cheaper, smaller housing, the house measures just 48 inches at its widest point, yet is still a fully functional living space.
The Keret House, Warsaw, Poland
Squeezed between two buildings in the city, the house is set on raised stilts, with a simple, narrow staircase leading to the living areas. While there’s a bedroom and small living space, it’s no surprise that the facilities are limited: there’s a small toilet with a showerhead, and the kitchen’s fridge offers enough space for two drinks.
The Keret House, Warsaw, Poland
Once residents have enjoyed a meal prepared in the tiny kitchen and eaten on the compact dining table, they can climb up the ladder that connects the first and second floors to crawl into the cosy single bed or work at a small desk. There’s even a small window in the bedroom to let some light into the small space.
One-Sqm-House, Berlin, Germany
If you’ve ever built a piece of flat-pack furniture, you’ll be familiar with the concept, but the One-Sqm-House, dreamt up by architect Van Bo Le-Metnzel, takes DIY flexibility to new heights.
One-Sqm-House, Berlin, Germany
The One-Sqm-House, as you might guess, occupies just one square metre of space. The DIY wooden structure might be tiny, but it’s been ingeniously designed to function as a bedroom, a study or even a mobile shop. You can flip it on the side and add a mattress for a snooze or stand it upright to work at a small, foldable desk. There's even a lockable door and a window.
One-Sqm-House, Berlin, Germany
The petite house is a direct, thought-provoking response to the sheer expense of buying property and the sky-high costs of owning even a small home. It’s not the first home to be easily moveable and changeable, but it’s harder to imagine a house more transportable than this: its wheels make it a breeze to move from place to place. Plus it’s a steal at €250 (£218/$295).
The Cloud House, Melbourne, Australia
It may look like a typical Edwardian-era house from the outside, but once you step inside, it’s a whole different story: the phrase “living in the clouds” takes on a new meaning for the lucky owners of this award-winning home in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North. Just wait until you see the back...
The Cloud House, Melbourne, Australia
The house’s most notable element is its fantastical, cloud-shaped extension, which transforms the home from a traditional building into a quirky, dreamlike space. The south-facing addition, which is made of sustainable material, lets plenty of light into the kitchen, while also facing the garden and pool to make an exceptional indoor and outdoor living area.
The Cloud House, Melbourne, Australia
As you'd expect the interior of the property is far from ordinary. As you step inside, you’ll follow an eye-catching path on a bright floral carpet through bare white corridors. The hub of the home is the kitchen, in the form of a distinctive red box, that links the different spaces together.
Steel House, Texas, USA
A rusty steel ship looks over the desert plains of Texas, but although it may look like a UFO, it's actually a painstakingly designed home. The Steel House was designed and built by sculptor and architect Robert Bruno, who lovingly constructed and lived in the house from 1973 until his death in 2008.
Steel House, Texas, USA
While the house's exterior, formed of 150 tons of hand-welded steel, is certainly eye-catching, the interior is no less striking. Inside, much of the property is wooden. There are also stained-glass windows and, sadly, the start of plenty of ambitious projects that went unfinished after Bruno's death, including an aquarium and a library.
Mirror House, Almere, Netherlands
The Mirror House, in Almere, was carefully designed to be covered in reflective glass so it camouflages effortlessly into its natural surroundings. The ingenious design means the house and the forest merge in an intriguing optical illusion.
Mirror House, Almere, Netherlands
The minimalist interior consists of an open-plan living area, bordered by an office on one side and two bedrooms on the other. The interior structure can be adapted to suit different lifestyles. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer plenty of light, while the reflective glass exterior provides privacy.
Reversible Destiny Lofts, Tokyo, Japan
The Reversible Destiny Lofts in Tokyo certainly stand out from other bland residential projects. The apartments are an exciting mishmash of colours and shapes. Inspired by the basic forms of the cube, sphere and tube, the bold multi-coloured blocks were designed to challenge and stimulate the senses.
Reversible Destiny Lofts, Tokyo, Japan
Each apartment consists of a circular open-plan living area, which radiates out from a central kitchen space. Further rooms are connected by bulbous doorways and hanging ladders, which create a playhouse aesthetic that's brilliant for children and adults alike.
Reversible Destiny Lofts, Tokyo, Japan
A combination of 14 colours are used to decorate each apartment, creating a bright and bold environment. The playful use of colour, texture and form heightens the senses, while unconventional design elements, such as circular rooms and hanging storage units, are meant to challenge the way we move around conventional homes.
Hill House, Melbourne, Australia
The Hill House in Melbourne is an exceptional example of a unique modern home that challenges the norms of architectural design. The concept of placing the property on a hill allows inhabitants to block out the harshness of the sun during the summer while making the most of cool light during the winter.
Hill House, Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne has experienced an increase in the number of high-rise builds in the past decade, which means gardens are a luxury for most. For this reason, the architects of Hill House have extended the green space up onto the exterior walls. The unusual garden was also an antidote to the typical outdoor spaces of Victorian suburbs: instead, the architects created this unique outdoor space.
Hill House, Melbourne, Australia
Inside, the south-facing structure is injected with light through a series of wall-to-wall windows, as well as its large, glass entrance portal. A winding staircase connects the lower ground open-plan living area to the upstairs bedrooms.
Capital Hill Residence, Moscow, Russia
The Capital Hill Residence, in the Barvikha Forest near Moscow, was created for Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin, who has been called the Russian James Bond. Designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, the property resembles an imagined spaceship from the 1960s. With an impressive total area of nearly 30,000 square feet, the enormous property isn't short on space.
Capital Hill Residence, Moscow, Russia
Inside, the Capital Hill Residence looks like something out an episode of Star Trek. But don’t be fooled by its retro design as the home is kitted out with a number of 21st-century luxury features including a sauna, hammam baths, a library, entertaining spaces, an indoor swimming pool and a fitness area.
Capital Hill Residence, Moscow, Russia
The property’s most notable feature is its upper-level master bedroom suites and accompanying exterior terraces, which offers the ultimate in privacy. The suites float above the rest of the complex above the treetops, and were designed specifically for its owner, who requested that when he woke up in the morning, he wanted to see only blue sky.
The Nautilus, Naucalpan, Mexico
This psychedelic, ambitious house was created for a family with two children, who were desperate for a home that was both unusual and closer to nature. Designed by innovative architect Javier Senosiain, this giant shell-shaped structure was designed to be both a striking example of creative architecture and an enormous contemporary artwork.
The Nautilus, Naucalpan, Mexico
The interior is just as convincing as the exterior, with the walls, floors and ceilings twisting and turning as if you really had shrunk and wandered into a snail's shell. The theme of organic architecture is continued throughout, with the rooms imitating natural structures. Here, the master bedroom appears to have been carved out of a natural rock surface, creating a warm environment that feels as if it's from a fairy tale.
The Nautilus, Naucalpan, Mexico
A stained-glass window marks the entrance to the house, giving way to a fluid, open-plan living space in which none of the walls, ceilings or floors are parallel, but instead are full of natural curves. The floor is covered in plants, and there's even an artificial stream to bring the outdoors in. The windows cast colourful lights across the living area, adding to the whimsical feel.
The Nautilus, Naucalpan, Mexico
The core of the interior reflects its exterior shell-shaped form with not a single sharp corner in the property. For example, this futuristic TV room looks like it belongs under the sea.
The Truffle, Costa da Morte, Spain
The Truffle is an experimental, tiny house that's as close to nature as can be. Built from concrete, earth and natural rock, the home fits seamlessly into its environment and camouflages into the natural landscape. To enter, there's a discreet opening at the back of the property, while a large window at the front frames stunning views of the ocean.
The Truffle, Costa da Morte, Spain
The interior is minimalistic, consisting of a single open-plan space in where a double bed, fireplace and bathroom have been slotted into the rock. The natural stone surface protects the tiny house from the heat of the Spanish sun during the summer.
18.36.54, Connecticut, USA
This shiny brown vector of a home is the last thing you’d expect to find in the Connecticut countryside. Designed to combine avant-garde and cosy living, the bronzed stainless steel structure challenges the notions of “the house in the landscape” with its bold design.
18.36.54, Connecticut, USA
Not a single exterior surface is the same and the house appears completely different from every angle. The mirror finish means the appearance of the house constantly changes too, adapting to reflect its surroundings.
18.36.54, Connecticut, USA
The curious construction is repeated in the home's interior, with angular rooms that appear to morph into various geometric forms depending on where you stand. Sharp corners confuse the eye, blurring the lines between the end of floor-to-ceiling windows and the beginnings of interior wall space.
18.36.54, Connecticut, USA
Despite the sharp corners, a seamless flow is created between the living, dining, kitchen and sleeping areas. The only thing that distinguishes each space are gentle changes in the height of the concrete floors. Surrounding floor-to-ceiling glass walls mean inhabitants can enjoy the natural environment even if they don't want to step outside.
The Skyhouse, New York, USA
Occupying the top four floors of a late 19th-century tower in lower Manhattan, this particular property might look like your average apartment from the outside, but not all is as it seems once you step inside.
The Skyhouse, New York, USA
Inside a number of shape-shifting walls pop up and around at various angles, creating a multi-layered interior out of a previously restricted space. Architect David Hotson played extensively with the space to create a quadruple-height living room, indoor balconies and plenty of playful elements.
The Skyhouse, New York, USA
A house for the young at heart, interior designers have added a number of fun and interactive features. For example, a series of climbing walls have been created from the structure’s multiple surface levels and support beams.
The Skyhouse, New York, USA
The climbing walls are impressive, but nothing beats this looping, 80-foot slide, which makes its way down all the property's floors through a series of shiny, mirrored tubes. If you don’t fancy taking the slide, there’s always a faceted staircase that stops at each floor.
S-House, Saitama, Japan
Prepare to be simultaneously confused and exhilarated by this modern house from Yuusuke Karasawa Architects. Designed and constructed without walls, the crisscross skeletal home is set over two abstractly organised floors, connected to each other by multiple staircases.
S-House, Saitama, Japan
An array of intertwining rooms creates the illusion of a floating space, with a dining room and kitchen that can only be reached by crossing over a mezzanine kitchen. Confused yet? The three-bedroom house also has an additional living room, a set of bathrooms and a roof terrace.
S-House, Saitama, Japan
Inside the property looks like an Escher drawing with multiple staircases and levels all on view due to the lack of walls. The property’s four glazed facades allow passersby to peek into its interior. This is definitely not a house for introverts, but thanks to the staircases, you're sure to boost your fitness without even trying...
Casa del Acantilado, Salobrena, Spain
Embedded into the face of a cliff, the Casa Acantilado (House on a Cliff) takes on the form of a scaly three-eyed monster, or a watchful dragon. The property’s main feature is undoubtedly its scale-like, metal mesh cladded roof, which takes up the entirety of its exterior facade, reminding onlookers not only of a scaly animal, but also of the fantastical architectural creations of Spain’s most renowned architect, Antoni Gaudi.
Casa del Acantilado, Salobrena, Spain
This cave-like property is carved into a hill, keeping the interior cool throughout the year. The two-storey home has a kitchen and living room that opens out to a terrace with a large swimming pool. Three bedrooms, each with their own private balcony overlooking the sea, are found on the upper floor.
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai, UAE
From cliff sides to the open ocean, you might have trouble receiving your Amazon delivery at this next home, which can only be reached by boat or seaplane. The Floating Seahorse is a concept that's being developed as part of a series of offshore community homes located just off the coast of Dubai. The floating home has been designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating solar power and state-of-the-art technology to make the concept as eco-friendly as possible.
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai, UAE
The Floating Seahorse consists of a ground-level open-plan living area with an outdoor terrace to view the surrounding ocean. Above the living area is an additional rooftop terrace and below it lies the property's underground bedroom and bathroom.
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai, UAE
You'll literally be swimming with the fish in the comfort of your own bathroom, as the property's floor-to-ceiling feature window looks out onto the surrounding underwater environment. Each home can be customised to contain multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and terraces. Plus, if you invest here, you'll be helping the environment, as the company behind the concept is creating an artificial coral reef beneath the retreats for seahorses to safely live and breed in.
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