
Architectophilias, these are the most unique buildings around the world that are worth exploring.
Who says buildings are boring to look at? Singapore is filled with architectural wonders and interesting structures such as clock towers. Now, we’re going beyond our shores and shining the spotlight on other unique buildings in the world – the more eccentric looking, the better! The next time you travel overseas, keep your eyes peeled for these fascinating architectural structures.
Check out these unique buildings around the world
1. Longaberger Basket Building, USA

This building is an absolute basket case of unique architecture. It was built in 1997 as the Longaberger Company’s headquarters. Why the basket shape? It was specifically chosen to replicate the brand’s signature product. The 180,000 square foot structure is seven storeys tall and topped with two steel handles containing a special heating element. Inside, there’s a curving staircase in the lobby and a glass ceiling that allows plenty of natural light in. The basket building was sold off in 2018 and might be revived as a luxury hotel or a co-working space sometime in the future.
Longaberger Basket Building, 1500 E Main St, Newark, Ohio 43055, United States
2. Nativity of the Giraffe, France

What’s a giraffe doing in the middle of a building? We don’t have the answer to that question, but we know that you should look out for it when you’re in Paris. Located in Boulogne-Billancourt, the public building serves as a childcare centre. It also features other animal sculptures, such as a standing polar bear in the playground. The idea behind the building is to introduce creative thinking and inspire imagination. We like to think it adds a new meaning to “urban jungle”.
Nativity of the Giraffe, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
3. The Piano House, China

We don’t know about you, but this glazed building reminds us of Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles music video. Architectural students from the Hefei University of Technology designed the piano and violin structure to showcase the Shannan district’s development plans. We absolutely adore the contrast between the transparent violin, which contains escalators and a staircase to the main building, and the black piano, which houses two concert halls. The Piano House has also been used for events and is regarded as a hot spot to take photos.
The Piano House, Tianjiaan, Huainan, Anhui, China, 232002
4. Dog Bark Park Inn, USA

If you’re a fan of dogs, this is a quirky bed and breakfast where you can stay for at least two nights. The two-bedroom guesthouse is shaped like a beagle (its name is Sweet Willy, how cute!) and can be easily spotted along Highway 95 in Idaho. Besides accommodation, the roadside attraction has a visitor centre, an outdoor gallery filled with oversized dogs, a gift shop, and an artist studio. Dog Bark Park Inn is open for stays between April and August. We’re positively mutts about this unique hotel!
Dog Bark Park Inn, 2421 Business Loop 95, Cottonwood, Idaho 83522, United States
5. National Fisheries Development Board, India

Picture a government office dealing with fisheries and agriculture shaped like a gigantic fish. You may think it’s fishy, but this building actually exists. (A little too on the nose, perhaps?) This four-storey unique architecture can be found in Hyderabad, India, and the reason why it’s there is due to the catchment area of major rivers. Now, don’t judge a book by its cover – or, in this case, a building by its fins. This regional office is both form and function, with the circular windows acting as eyes and the left pectoral fin doubling as an awning for the staircase entrance. Blue-purple spotlights illuminate the building at night, making it look like the fish is swimming through the city.
National Fisheries Development Board, Fish Building, Pillar No:235, PV Narasimha Rao Expy, SVPNPA, Hyderabad, Telangana 500052, India
6. Wuxi Wanda Cultural Tourism City Exhibition Center, China

It’s not exactly Mrs Potts from Beauty and the Beast, but it’s close enough. One of the most unique buildings in the world, the Chinese exhibition centre is inspired by the Yixing clay teapot, which originated from Jiangsu’s eastern province during the 15th century. The giant teapot is around 39 metres high, 50 metres in diameter, features elaborate lighting, and even rotates. What can you find inside the structure? Why, permanent exhibition showcasing locally produced teapots, of course. It also houses a mall, a hotel, and even a theme park.
Wuxi Wanda Cultural Tourism City Exhibition Center, Hengshanyi Byp, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, 214125
7. Kunsthaus Graz, Austria

The Graz Art Museum officially opened in 2003 and became known as the city’s architectural landmark. It definitely stands out among the surrounding buildings. The experimental design resembles a tank or Howl’s Moving Castle. However, the locals call it a “friendly alien”, given its blob architecture. Its futuristic facade consists of iridescent blue acrylic panels that generate their own solar power. The eastern side of the building can also project messages, thanks to the embedded fluorescent light rings. Doesn’t this art museum vaguely resemble a certain thorny performing arts venue in Singapore?
Kunsthaus Graz, Lendkai 1, 8020 Graz, Austria
8. Kubuswoningen, Netherlands

These cube houses may seem more conventional compared to the rest in this list, but that doesn’t make them any less unique. The geometric forms were conceived in the 1970s as a housing complex dubbed “trees in a forest”. Each cube measures 22 metres, leans at a 45-degree angle, and rests on hexagonal pillars in an asymmetrical position. Bright yellow was chosen because the colour symbolised brightness and optimism. Can you believe each building contains a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom? We’d love to stay here, even if it’s for a night.
Kubuswoningen, Overblaak 70, 3011 MH Rotterdam, Netherlands
9. High-Heel Wedding Church, Taiwan

A chapel shaped like Cinderella’s slipper? Well, it’s not really a church, but yes, you can find this in Taiwan. There’s a dark history behind this landmark: it was built to honour the young women who were stricken with blackfoot disease and had to amputate their feet. This resulted in them being unable to wear high heels for their wedding day. Sad story aside, the giant shoe was constructed with over 300 blue-tinted glass panels and more than 1,000 steel pieces. The building is 58 feet tall and can fit up to 100 people.
High-Heel Wedding Church, No. 5, Xinxi Road, Budai Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 625
10. Ilinden Spomenik, Republic of North Macedonia

This memorial looks like a virus magnified, and now we can’t unsee it. (Others have said it looks like a heart valve or a cauliflower.) Anyway, this five-hectare monument is dedicated to the revolutionaries of the 1903 Ilinden uprising as well as the People’s Liberation Struggle (World War II) partisan fighters. Before reaching the main structure, visitors will pass giant metal chain links that are pried individually. These are said to symbolise the emancipation of Macedonia from foreign rule. There’s also a crypt featuring carved names, places, and memorable events related to the uprising.
Ilinden Spomenik, Krushevo, North Macedonia
11. Gate Tower Building, Japan

We’re always in awe of Japan for its creativity, which also extends to its architecture. If you’re visiting Osaka, make a mental note to check out the Gate Tower Building. Sure, there’s nothing truly out there about it – apart from a section of the highway passing through the tower. Because of this, the operator has to pay rent for the floors occupied by the highway. Ouch. Meanwhile, the elevator still passes through the occupied storeys without stopping. In case you’re wondering, office tenants are unaffected by the traffic noises and vibrations, all thanks to reinforced sound insulation.
Gate Tower Building, 5-chōme-4-21 Fukushima, Fukushima Ward, Osaka, 553-0003, Japan
12. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore

We can’t have a list of unique buildings around the world and exclude one of our own. Locals lovingly referred to this behemoth as “the big durians”, predominantly because of the two glass domes with over 7,000 triangular aluminium sunshades covering the roofs. The spikes unintentionally made the architecture appear to resemble the tropical fruit. On top of being Singapore’s premier performing arts venue, it contains a waterfront theatre and Esplanade Mall, and is connected to Esplanade and City Hall MRT stations.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Have fun checking out these unique buildings in the world during your travels!