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“Bread-Shaped Bread Factory”: 35 Structures So Odd They Could Be AI-Generated
Let your weird light shine bright so that the other weirdos know where to find you... That's what comes to mind when we think of some of the buildings people have dared to design and erect. Often, it's not even a case of thinking outside the box. But rather, destroying the box completely and creating a whole, new, never-seen-before, architectural shape.
Think India's National Board of Fisheries headquarter building, which is shaped like... a fish. Or the St. James Quarter in Edinburgh, Scotland, nicknamed the Golden Turd... we'll leave you to figure out why. These are just a few of the unique structures around the world that have people stopping in their tracks and doing double or triple-takes, just to make sure their eyes aren't deceiving them.
Someone recently asked, "What's a weird or funny building in your country?" and the replies came rolling in faster than tractors on a construction site. Some structures are mind-blowingly creative, others are plain bizarre. All are proof that the planet we live on is anything but vanilla.
Bored Panda has put together a list of our favorites for you to scroll through while you plan your next sight-seeing adventure. Let us know which ones you find the most interesting by hitting the upvote button.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Is The Headquarters Of The National Fisheries Development Board (Nfdb) In Hyderabad, India. This Building Is Just So Weird And Funny
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 day ago (edited)
Nice plaice you have here. You can feel the sole of the building. Must have been a haddock to design.
The world would be so boring if everything and everyone was exactly alike. Thankfully, when it comes to building design, the sky is the limit... At least, in many places around the world.
China made headlines in 2016, after announcing that the government planned to ban "bizarre" and "odd-shaped" buildings. Ironically, the country was at the forefront of unique architecture, and was home to some of the wildest buildings in the world at the time.
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#2
France, The "Palais IDéal", Built By A Single Mail Carrier On His Spare Time, With Odd Rocks That He Found In The Paths
Take Beijing's "big pants" building, for example. The state-owned China Central TV Headquarters is an icon in the country's capital and was one of the first unique and "weird" structures.
The steel and glass building got its nickname from its unusual and experimental angular looped shape. It is made up of two leaning towers, joined on the upper floors by a 75-metre cantilevered bridge, and looks very much like... you guessed it: a huge pair of pants.
The structure and facades were completed ahead of the Summer Olympics in 2008 for all the world to see. But the building was only officially opened in 2012.
#3
This Is The Last Remaining Example Of The Original Shell Gas Stations. It's Located In Winston Salem, NC
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 day ago
If you hold your ear to it you can hear the sound of ecological catastrophe.
#4
The Kindergarten "Katze" (Cat) In Karlsruhe-Wolfartsweier, Germany. Right Over The Left Paw Two Small Windows At A Yellow House Can Be Seen. That Once Was My Bedroom
#5
USA. It's The Headquarters Of A Company That Makes These Types Of Baskets
#6
At No Surprise To Anyone, New Zealand Has Sheep Lmao
Nikki Sevven 1 day ago
The way they're looking at each other, there will be a bunch of lamb buildings in the morning.
The "big pants" was once billed as "the greatest work of architecture built in this century" by architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff.
"At moments monumental and combative, at others strangely elusive, almost retiring, it is one of the most beguiling and powerful works I've seen in a lifetime of looking at architecture," Ouroussof proclaimed.
But that didn't stop China's president from criticizing the building, and going a step further by announcing a proposed ban on "weird" architecture in the country.
#7
United Kingdom. This Is A Private House That Has A Shark In The Roof
#8
France
In the 1970s and 80s, the French government wanted to strengthen swimming instruction. This required building many swimming pools. A model was developed and almost 200 were replicated throughout France.
These pools look like flying saucers (and they can partially open). Weird but a bit cool, I think.
#9
Taiwan Has A Bread Shaped Bread Factory
The CCTV "big pants" skyscraper was just one of China's "weird" buildings that came under fire by president Xi Jinping in 2014 when he gave a two-hour speech lamenting bizarre structures. The Chinese leader also hit out at twp bridges over the Yangtze and Jialing rivers in Chongqing, which have been compared to female private parts.
Fast forward two years later, and in February 2016, China announced that it would no longer allow such creativity when it comes to city skylines. In a document, the country's State Council forbade "oversized, xenocentric and weird" buildings, stating that all new buildings should be "suitable, economic, green and pleasing to the eye".
#10
Canada. The Gooderham Building In Toronto Is Fun!
Phantom Phoenix 1 day ago
In my reply to myself is a link to the google maps entry for the Geelong Arts Centre. Coolest looking façade I've ever seen!
#11
The Warped House, Poland
#12
Australia. He Is Beloved Tho!!
#13
Appartment Building In Amsterdam
#14
Hotel In Zaanstad (Nethwrlands) Lots Of Traditional Shapes Of Dutch Houses Together
#15
South Korea. The Cafe’s Name Is Literally ‘Grasshopper Cafe’, Located In Jeongseon, Gangwon Province
#16
Scotland. The St James Quarter In Edinburgh, Affectionately Nicknamed 'The Golden Turd' For Obvious Reasons
angelmomoffour62 1 day ago
It is lopsided. The one from the top looks like it's going to fall.....
#17
Czech Republic. The Dancing House, Prague
It resembles a dancing pair (the man on the right, the woman on the left)
Photo By Danny Alexander Lettkemann, Architekt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
#18
Italy. The Church Tower Of A Flooded Village
#19
Australia. I Would Say It’s This Hotel Shaped Like A Crocodile In Kakadu, Nt
#20
The Atomium, An Iron Atom 165 Billion Times The Size Of A Real Iron Atom. Belgium
#21
Church In The Shape Of Chicken, Indonesia
#22
There Are A Few, But The One That's Truly Whimsical And Witty In My Opinion Is Casa Orgánica, In Naucalpan. (State Of Mexico, Not Mexico City)
#23
This Is A Museum In The City Of Niterói, State Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
#24
USA. This Dinosaur Is A Gift Shop, In California
#25
Taiwan
Temple of the 18 Lords which boasts the “worlds biggest dog statue”, you walk in through its butt and go up stairs until you can look out of it from a platform inside sorta like the Statue of Liberty. But the door was sealed shut a few years back
#26
Crocodile Stadium, Bursa, Turkiye
#27
There’s A Guy In Colorado Who Spent Some 40 Odd Years Building A Castle
#28
The Shoe House In Lancaster, PA USA!
#29
Toad Museum, Thailand
#31
Elephant Building Bangkok
#32
Los Angeles, It Has To Be The Walt Disney Concert Hall
Designed by Frank Gehry. Personally not a fan of his architectural works, and I don’t personally like it but it makes for a good statement piece. Close seconds are The Broad Museum and Petersen Automotive Museum.
#33
Vegas, USA
#34
Indonesia. It Became Viral Few Months Ago, It's A Mosque Built By A Military General, Located In His Hometown LOL
#35
This Is East Beach Café In Littlehampton, UK. People Call It 'The Turd'
#36
Whale On The Danube Bank In Budapest
#37
Australia
Just for those unsure this is the Luna Park entrance in Sydney, Australia. It was built in the 1930’s and was popular during WW2 particularly for servicemen. Back in the late 70’s one of the Roller Coasters “The Ghost Train” caught fire and 7 people lost their lives. It is noted the park had failed the fire safety precautions needed to run the coaster. The case has been closed and reopened several times on who is responsible and has recently been reopened with new evidence and is being investigated. Despite this, 7 people tragically lost their lives on something that could have been prevented. That ride is no longer in service and a memorial stands in its place.
#38
Barcelona, Spain
#39
Kazakhstan. We Have Got A Lot Of These. Egg
#40
Taiwan
These flying saucer houses, I couldn’t find any of them new, there’s a very rural spot that has a neighborhood full of them, but I think most were torn down last year
#41
Union Of Architects Of Romania (Uar). And Yes, Those Are The Top Floors, They Are The Same Building
Ghostchaplain16 1 day ago
Yikes! How to ruin wonderful original architectural design with a modern add-on. What a missed opportunity.
#42
Singapore. The Art Science Museum
#43
We Got The Kunsthaus In Graz. Always Makes Me Uncomfortable
#44
Vancouver House, A Residential Building In Downtown Vancouver, Bc, Canada
#45
Legozilla? Tetris Tower? Actually, It's The Ayer Rajah Telephone Exchange (1978) In Singapore
#46
Japan. This Is Asahi Beer Museum
#47
Noah’s Ark In Kentucky, USA
#48
In The Middle Of NYC. Edit: Leaked Documents Have Proven That Inside This Building Is The Nsa And Telecommunications
MontanaMariner 1 day ago
Nope. Built in the 70's by AT&T to protect sensitive communication equipment thanks to the Cold War. Designed to withstand extreme heat and cold, largely fireproof, and built to withstand a nuke.
#49
Germany. Bierpinsel In Berlin
#50
The Markel Building, AKA The Baked Potato Building, Here In Richmond Va
It was commissioned back in the early 60’s and the architect was literally inspired by a baked potato wrapped in foil that he was served at an architects luncheon. It’s ugly as all hell, but I love it
#51
The Beer Can House
It started off with the owner (during the late '60s) covering his yard and walk with concrete and mixing in different things (marbles, little statues, etc) and just kind of...expanded from there. Iirc, he claimed he did it because he didn't want to mow his lawn anymore XD
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Rick Murray 1 day ago (edited)
So - if it's British and it exists, it is called "the t**d". 😂 [edit: seriously BP? censoring a word used multiple times in the article? 🤦🏻♀️]
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 day ago
In northern Virginia, we have the Toilet Bowl Building and the Darth Vader Building.
Rick Murray 1 day ago (edited)
So - if it's British and it exists, it is called "the t**d". 😂 [edit: seriously BP? censoring a word used multiple times in the article? 🤦🏻♀️]
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 day ago
In northern Virginia, we have the Toilet Bowl Building and the Darth Vader Building.
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