How Did They Build These Mad-Houses?

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

I like to think of myself as something of an original, avoiding all the latest, boring trends, but I have never done anything like this! Just look at these weird, wild and frankly quite insane homes that some of the most eccentric people in the world have built for themselves. Which one is your favorite?

1. Swiss Underground Home

Who has ever had the feeling that the earth would swallow them up? Well I have, but I never envisioned this! It must be very cozy, though, to be sleeping underground, and to hear the pitter-patter of rain drops on the earth above. Having said that, it does make me think of a rather large coffin, what about you?

2. A Japanese Transparent Home

The Japanese are very fond of their privacy - except for this family! We don't know why they did it, but they have built their not-so-humble abode entirely from glass. How would you feel if everything you were doing in your home was visible to everyone? Perhaps it would improve your behavior though: as they say, people in a glass house shouldn't throw stones.

3. A Canadian Spherical Tree House

This is certainly a quite beautiful ball, with a lovely staircase, in a lovely wood. But I'm not sure most people would want to live there. I suppose that is the point. Here the owner can be totally at one with nature, which definitely has a temporary appeal. But can you imagine seeing this ball for the first time? I would be so shocked, and think aliens had landed.

4. A Missouri Cave Home

I suspect this family were a big fan of the Flintstones, but didn't want to forego all the modern conveniences a good house should bring. Meet the modern-day cavemen! If it was me though, I would be a little worried about brittle rocks and falling stones, particularly with kids and pets. Rocks and kids (and glass) are just not a good combination; am I right?

5. A Portuguese Stone Home

Someone noticed two huge boulders in reasonably close proximity to each other, decided to add a roof - and then just carried on. It is certainly very handsome and a remarkable piece of craftsmanship. However, the large stone on the left concerns me a little: with that slope I keep thinking it might roll away, tearing the house open. And just imagine what creepy-crawlies must be living under such a  huge boulder!

6. A Serbian River Home

Only a true bird-watcher could appreciate this superb river spot - or perhaps a fisherman. This house, built atop a rock, doesn't look like the most stable residence, but it is an admirable achievement. If I stayed there I would love to just sit out on the porch and listen to the water flow on by, perhaps while reading a nice book. That is truly a dream scene to ponder.

7. A Mexican Seashell Home

A young family of four live in this seashell in Mexico City, which is an ingenious creation. I bet their kids have very vivid imaginations after growing up here. It seems a bit like a house from a fairground to me, and like a lot of old fairground exhibits, it may age badly. So, just think of the upkeep that the exterior would require.

8. A Russian Upside Down Home

What looks like a photo trick is in fact as real as anyone's house. Located in the city of Krasnoyarsk, this upside down dwelling attracts many curious people, and I can see why: they probably wonder what the inside looks like. Do they use an upside down washing machine, TV...toilet? Surely not! Just how do they live - and how do they do the vacuuming?

9. A Romanian Rock Home

This is another idyllic spot in the middle of Eastern Europe, close to the Ukraine. It seems like a great place for hunting. I can picture a hardy old man with a rifle at his side, and a mug of something strong, sitting on his step, just silent and brooding. Then when a wild beast or bird comes into his peripheral he just leaps into action like a leopard...

10. A French Solar Home

Resembling a sundial, this Strasbourg property is unlikely to be on the market any time soon. And though it is worth a second look of anyone's eyes, I'm not sure many people would try to buy it, but no doubt its owners are very happy with it. And it looks a lot like a cobweb, which is apt, I think, because I wonder just how they can keep the upper parts of this house spick and span. Not to mention their window cleaning bill...

11. A Swiss Mountain-Top Home

Looking down 13,000 feet from the Solvay House would give me a tremendous shudder, especially looking at that tiny ledge. But some people really like to live their life on the edge. And what a stunning view they get for their bravery! But surely this must be a very cold place to live. I for one really dislike waking up, and being too chilly to peel the duvet off myself. But here that must be the case every single morning. However, that first coffee of the day must complement that view amazingly well.

12. A Polish Wedge Home

Nestled snugly between two buildings, this narrow house is only three feet wide. Can you imagine the health problems that must arise from living here? Always having to move carefully, without freedom and flexibility, constantly kicking the walls in error - I think my body would start to malform! I'd be like an octopus in a demijohn.

13. An Icelandic Island Home

There is only one house on the gorgeous, but lonely, Ellidaey Island. What marks out most of these curious houses is their total lack of neighboring structures. Imagine living surrounded only by ocean, wind and water, though. You would feel perpetually lost at sea, like an unlucky pirate. However, there is something magnificent about the vast ocean that attracts everyone, and these island-dwellers certainly know all about it.

14. An Ohio Mushroom Home

A few people really want to make a statement with their habitation, and this mushroom dwelling, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a great example of that. On the one hand you might be embarrassed to live here, on the other you would feel a thrill and satisfaction as you saw passersby point at your home and smile. You would know that you had given them that gift.

15. A Texan Steel Home

This house was built with a whopping 110 tons of steel, and took 23 years to complete. Its construction is also very impressive, standing, on four legs like a table. And the way it is perched out, jutting over a gentle cliff it feels a bit like an aircraft. If you sat in the front room you could be like the captain of your very own starship, almost.

[SunKat]

What a fun discussion!  I wonder if the people in the transparent house also go to the bathroom for all to see?!!  What about if they want to have sex...hehehe...!!

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

Yes, SunKat, that was the first thought i had, but then I fetl that they must have some kind of dividers obstructing some views... I hope!