When creativity has no boundaries, the results can be crazy. Or genius. The difference is not always noticeable
“Around the World” tells about unusual buildings and sculptures in Europe, America and Asia, which did not immediately receive recognition.
Upside down
Poland, Szymbark
There is a lot of goodness inside the Upside Down House: furniture (hanging from the ceiling), lamps (sticking out of the floor) and other things useful in the household. According to engineer Daniel Czapiewski, who created the object in 2007, Dom do Góry Nogamisymbolizes the era of communism, which turned upside down both traditions and the value system. With a weak vestibular apparatus or after a hearty dinner, it is better not to meddle inside – it will overwhelm you. For delicate natures, the Center for Education and Popularization of the Region in Szymbark has many other interesting things.
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Hostel. Reload
Slovakia, Bratislava
Carelessly molded or, depending on perception, already well floated cake, covered with multi-colored cream and icing, is actually the Galéria Spirit hotel. The inside is almost as avant-garde, but the food is hipster-healthy. The house is conceived as a space for interesting acquaintances and the exchange of creative experience. For its appearance and the carefree atmosphere reigning inside, the hotel received the nickname “House of Butterflies”.
Torn Towers
USA, Watts (Los Angeles)
In his forties, the Italian immigrant Sabato (“Simon”) Rodia decided that the only way to be remembered was for something very good or very bad. And in 1921, a divorced drunkard single-handedly began to build a multi-figure structure of steel and concrete, and in 33 years he built 17 towers and other structures decorated with mosaics, figurines, bottle glass and ceramics. The tallest tower is 30.5 m. The neighbors laughed at the artist and quietly engaged in vandalism. Rodia broke down and left Watts in 1955. And 35 years later, Watts Towers was designated a National Historic Landmark.
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- Architecture for Dummies: 12 buildings of the most incredible shape< /ul>
Soap bubble
France, Cannes
The brainchild of architect Antti Lovag resembles a cluster of bubbles, a rookery of octopuses, a village of hobbits or troglodytes. And Pierre Cardin saw the sensual body of a woman in all this and bought the Bubble House. Since then, it has been called Palais Bulles de Pierre Cardin.
The Roof Rides
Canada, Montreal
The diploma project of the future architect Moshe Safdie turned first into a pavilion for the exhibition Expo 67, and later into a residential complex HABITAT 67, consisting of 354 identical blocks, which house 146 apartments . A ridiculous-looking building is very functional and comfortable. The placement of the modules with a shift made it possible to arrange terraces and gardens on the roofs of the lower dwellings, all apartments are well lit and ventilated.
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- Beyond Gravity: 8 Sculptures That Taunt the Laws of Physics
Hello tree!
Vietnam, Da Lat
The female architect Dang Viet Nga designed the house in the form of a huge tree. To pay off the project, the house was turned into a Hăng Nga hotel (aka Crazy House). Each cave room has its own totem animal: a tiger, an eagle, an ant, etc. The design includes elements in the form of animals, mushrooms, a giant web.
On the whole head
Italy , Sciacca (Sicily)
Filippo Bentivegna, a Sicilian from a poor family, emigrated to the USA in search of a better life, but ran into a beating there, received a head injury, amnesia and was repatriated as unable to work. At home, Filippo was recognized as crazy, but as a side effect, he woke up the talent of a sculptor obsessed with heads. Filippo began carving heads out of the sandstone on his plot of land, digging quarries and tunnels along the way. So there was an “Enchanted Castle” of a thousand heads. Over time, other artists and art critics have recognized the cultural significance of Il Castello Incantato.
Photo: ALAMY (X3), HEMIS (X3), CUBO IMAGES/LEGION-MEDIA
Material published in the magazine Vokrug sveta No. 4, April 2020, partially updated in April 2023
Svyatoslav Zelensky