Most unusual buildings from around the world

  • Good architecture is meant to leave an impression on you
  • These buildings certainly deliver on that front
  • From Singapore to Dubai, these buildings make a statement

Published on Oct 02, 2024 at 8:30 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson

Last updated on Oct 03, 2024 at 6:19 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

These buildings look so strange that it’s hard to believe they’re real.

Good architecture should get your attention and make you stop in the street to admire it.

These buildings may just make you question your sense of reality.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

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The oddest buildings you may have ever seen

It’s fair to say that architecture differs around the world, and that each country has something distinctive to offer.

The one unifying these buildings from across the globe is their quirkiness.

Take the Museum of the Future in Dubai as a perfect example.

Opened in 2022, this museum is focused on the future of science and technology.

Everything exhibited past the front doors is predicted to be a reality by 2071.

But drawing our attention to what’s on the outside, it’s clear that there was a very specific vision in mind here.

Designed by Shaun Killa Design, it’s made up of Arabic quotes said by Dubai’s ruler about the future of the Emirate.

One such quote is: “We won’t live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone.”

If this giant shell covered in Arabic is anything to go by, it certainly will.

Over in Singapore, the Interlace offers a new take on compact living in a high-density area.

The interwoven structure is certainly a different approach to your standard tower block.

Saudi Arabia is undertaking a similar project with ‘The Line’.

A building which takes itself very literally

China is known for its beautiful buildings and historical architecture.

Whilst it’s never been understated, we wouldn’t say it’s usually this overt.

This is the Meitan Tea Museum in Guizhou and it is shaped like a tea pot.

At 78.3 meters tall, it’s the world’s biggest pot-shaped building.

But let’s be honest, was there really any competition?

There are a lot of eye-catching buildings out there and long may they continue to be built.

It certainly livens up the skyline.

Even long-established buildings can be livened up from time to time – like when the Empire State Building had a little makeover to promote The House Of Dragon.

Vehicles can be just as quirky, however, like this guy who fulfilled his childhood dream by building the SpongeBob Boatmobile in real life.

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Ben got his start in journalism at Kennedy News and Media, writing stories for national newspapers, websites and magazines. Now working as a freelancer, he divides his time between teaching at News Associates and writing for news sites on all subjects.