The Hole House, Houston, TX, USA

The Texas "Hole House" as it became known was in existence for only a few months in 2005. A disaster of the space time continuum? A tragic and curious result of an earthquake? An ominous omen? Just what the heck was going on with this extremely bizarre and short lived building? Of course the answer is nothing so outlandish or alien; it turns out that in the spring of 2005 two houses slated for demolition were turned into a limited time art project that came to be known...

The UFO House, Royse City, TX, USA

A peculiarity from the late 1960's and early 1970's this spaceship like creation was the brainchild of a Finnish architect. It started out intended to be a ski cabin but turned into a collectors item that can be found across the world. Correctly known as the Futuro House these oddities are more often known as "UFO Houses". While driving along South Munson Road near Rockwall, TX you could be forgiven for thinking you had suddenly passed through a worm hole and were on an alternate ...

The Steel House, Ransom Canyon, TX, USA

Architect and sculptor, or as he describes himself on his website "Architectural sculptor and artist", Robert Bruno created the "Steel House" over the course of many years. Part residence part sculpture the "Steel House" is located overlooking Ransom Canyon Lake in the city of Ransom Canyon around 15 miles east of Lubbock, TX. Bruno started the project in 1973 after taking a teaching job at Texas Tech and moving from Mexico to Lubbock. Over the years the structure grew and morphed and became so much more ...

Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom

There is not much in the way of architecture that can top some of the magnificent medieval cathedrals around Europe and one of the most magnificent is Durham Cathedral in the north of England. It is astounding that buildings such as this were constructed given the technology of the time; they would probably be challenging to build even now. The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, to give it its full name, was founded in the year 1093. That's over ...

The Conch House, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Located on the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres nothing speaks "romantic getaway" more than the "Conch House". What's more this stunning home with 180° panoramic views of the crystal clear deep blue caribbean sea is actually available to rent. Built using everything from a traditional concrete foundation to recycled materials the "Conch House" must surely be one of the most enchanting residences on the island of Isla Mujeres [off the coast of Cancun] if not in the world. Featuring the 180° panoramic ...

Krzywy Domek aka "The Crooked House", Sopot, Poland

A combination of mall, restaurant row and office building the Krzywy Domek is located in the city of Sopot, Poland. Although the building is relatively young it is already extremely well known around the world and has become a local icon. Built in 2004 the Krzywy Domek aka "The Crooked House" is located in Sopot, Poland. Part of a larger shopping center the building houses restaurants, shops and offices on four levels encompassing some 43,000 square feet [Wikipedia]. The architects...

Ferdinand Cheval's "Le Palais Idéal", Hauterives, France

If ever there was a labor of love it must have been the construction of "The Ideal Palace". Ferdinand Cheval was a French postman or "facteur" who build "Le Palais Idéal" over the course of decades from 1879 to 1912. One day in 1879 while walking his post route he hit his foot on a stone. Not a significant event one would think but it actually changed his life completely. For whatever reason he was intrigued by the stone; it's shape and form. From that small stone grew the dream and passion that would ...

The Kettle House, Galveston, Texas, USA

This rather peculiar metal structure is located in Galveston, Texas close to the Gulf Of Mexico shoreline. Most buildings here are on "stilts" but not his one. However despite all manner of weather including the powerful Hurricane Ike in 2009, the building has stood for some 50 years or so and stands to this day. Maybe the architect was not such a goofball and perhaps its longevity is a testament to his design and choice of materials. After all a large ...

The Mushroom House, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

The "Mushroom House" is located in the Hyde Park section of Cincinnati, Ohio. On the corner of Erie Ave and Tarpis Ave the "Mushroom House", or "Tree House" as it is also known, was the creation of the late Terry Brown [1955-2008]. A professor of Architecture and Interior Design at the University of Cincinnati Brown created the building with the help of university students during the period 1992 to 2006. The home is constructed using a wide variety of materials including ...

The Basket Building, Newark, Ohio, USA

The brainchild of the founder of the Longaberger Company the distinctive "Basket Building" as it is known is located in Newark, Ohio, USA. The building is a 160 times replica of one of the company's signature products, the Medium Market Basket. A seven story stucco over steel structure the "Basket Building" has become an icon and attracted media attention from around the world. Constructed in the 1990's the building opened for business in December 1997. Sadly its mastermind, Dave Longaberger [1934 – 1999] ...

The Mexican Embassy, Washington DC, USA

The Mexican Embassy on Pennsylvania Avenue in DC is a rather interesting mix of the old and the new. The older part, hailing from the end of the 18th century, has been preserved as a part of the new construction. It is not unusual to see an old, historic building nestled in between shiny new buildings but this is unusual in that the new construction is not only to the sides but actually over the top of the old. This photograph was taken by The Grumpy Old Limey June 23rd 2011. Some of the buildings ...