Outsider Architecture

Image of Moses Bridge located in Halsteren, Netherlands
Halsteren, Netherlands

Moses Bridge

Invisible bridge parts the waters, invoking biblical images and preserving the ominous feel of an ancient moat

Once an active defense-line dating back to the 17th century, the West Brabant Line is made up of fortresses and cities with an inundation zone to the north, used as moats deep enough to dissuade... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by Rachel

Image of Blur Building located in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland | The Blur Building
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland

Blur Building

In memory of The Blur Building, the temporary exhibition pavilion of vaporous nothingness.

The Blur Building was a temporary media pavilion built for the 2002 Swiss Expo in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. Rising out of Lake Neuchatel, a system of rectilinear struts and diagonal rods... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by Rachel

Image of Stork Nest Farm located in Benesov, Czech Republic | The Stork Nest is actually a riding arena.
Benesov, Czech Republic

Stork Nest Farm

Czech architects borrow from the nest design of the stork to revitalize a farmstead, hoping to inspire the same loyalty the birds had shown.

When Design studio SGL Projeckt was hired to rennovate an old farmstead into a event and recreation center, they found the property was already in use. Since 1926, storks migrating from Africa had... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by knottedthread and Rachel

Image of Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel located in Los Angeles, California, US | Bee
Los Angeles, California, US

Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel

A carousel trades in its classic horses and calliope for endangered species, native flora and fauna, and a modern soundtrack.

Overlooking the Elephants of Asia exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo, the new $2.5 million Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel is like no other carousel in the world. Consisting of 66 hand-carved and... »

Amazing Automata, Outsider Architecture | Edited by Rachel

Image of Kaiping Dialous located in Zhenhuaxu, China | (Flickr/kevinpoh)
Zhenhuaxu, China

Kaiping Dialous

Massive fortified towers blend North American and Chinese architecture

In the early Qing Dynasty, gangs of bandits marauded their way through Guangdong, leaving the farmers of the region constantly on guard. To help combat the lawless thieves in the region, locals... »

Architectural Oddities, Incredible Ruins, Outsider Architecture | Edited by atimian and Seth Teicher

Image of Maho Beach located in Maho Bay, Netherlands Antilles | (Flickr/fussball_89)
Maho Bay, Netherlands Antilles

Maho Beach

Airplanes land over the heads of sunbathing beachgoers

The last decade has seen a number of improvements in Maho Beach, including the creation of a fence to keep tourists from getting blown off the beach by the jet flow of commercial aircraft.... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by atimian and Seth Teicher

Image of Ajanta Caves located in Ajanta, India
Ajanta, India

Ajanta Caves

Rock-cut cave complex filled with ancient Buddhist artwork

Constructed over an 800 year period, the Ajanta Caves span a massive rock face in Maharashtra and are filled with ornate frescoes considered masterpieces of Buddhist art. Ajanta is split into... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture, Subterranean Sites | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

Image of Golubac Fortress located in Smederevo, Serbia
Smederevo, Serbia

Golubac Fortress

14th century castle sliding off the hills into the Danube

Golubac Fortress is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. Yet the advent of modern technology has submerged some of the outer walls of this storied Serbian fortification,... »

Architectural Oddities, Incredible Ruins, Outsider Architecture | Edited by serflac and atimian

Image of Treehotel located in Harads, Sweden | The Mirrorcube
Harads, Sweden

Treehotel

Series of treehouse hotel rooms on the outskirts of an Arctic forest

Opened in July 2010, Treehotel was created to get visitors to reconnect with nature. Offering eco-friendly quarters 15 feet off the ground, each room offers stunning views of the forest and... »

Commercial Curiosities, Odd Accommodations, Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by atimian and HJHausman

Image of Low-Impact Woodland House located in Camddwr, United Kingdom | The warm and inviting living room
Camddwr, United Kingdom

Low-Impact Woodland House

One family's environment-friendly hobbit-house in Wales

Using only £3000, a chisel, a chainsaw and a hammer, Simon Dale and his father-in-law raised this cozy, woodland home up from the ground in just four months. Despite not having experience as a... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by atimian and HJHausman