Design Inspiration: 7 Creative and Unusual Houses
‘An Englishman’s home is his castle’ so the saying goes – but these days we’re more likely to set up home in a modest semi-detached than a full-blown castle, whether we’re English or not. So what alternatives are there if you’re looking to be a bit more architecturally adventurous? There are plenty. Thanks to developments in technology, design and building materials, people are really pushing the boundaries for what can be considered ‘home’.
People now define themselves by the place where they live, whether they’re concerned with being eco-conscious or style-conscious. As a result, there are an increasing number of instances where buildings are re-purposed to provide living space. The results can be inspiring, unsettling, surprising and downright mind-boggling. Let’s take a look at some of the best examples across the globe – all of which put the ‘oh’ in ‘home’!
Like a bridge over tranquil water
Most people may see a bridge as a way of getting from A to B, but the owners of this 1,184 square foot abode see a bridge as much more than that. The motivation behind the design of this place was to leave the natural beauty of the property uncompromised.
The architects came up with this rectangular design, which bridges the land’s small stream. It has also been built with eco-sensitive cooling and heating in mind, since it incorporates a black concrete floor, double-paned windows and solar panels. During the summer, the reflective steel cladding and surrounding trees help to keep the place – and its lucky residents – cool and comfortable.
Hot houses
Though they may be limited on space and not particularly accessible, houses based in fire towers offer some stunning views and sturdy construction. Fire towers tend to be quite isolated and remote, but the whole point of their existence is to provide panoramic views for up to hundreds of miles around in all directions. They’re built to withstand the elements and are thus easy to remodel as a snug little homestead.
The example shown can be found in the mountains of Montana and is actually modeled after an old forest service fire tower, rather than having served as an operational tower itself. The construction includes lots of recycled materials, including corrugated metal roofing, locally sourced rock and timbers from an 80-year-old trestle bridge that had been recently dismantled.
Going against the grain
Grain silos offer a distinctive shape and a basic metal-clad exterior. Converting these enormous metal tubs into homes constitutes simple rural living, with a twist. The example shown has a cartoon-like charm thanks to its tacked-on porch, though inside it offers the kind of stylish contemporary design that demands to be taken seriously.
This one-bedroom example shows how a silo can offer a simple canvas for unusual design, however there are more complex examples such as the Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast, which incorporates three grain silos into one large structure.
Trailer trash?
Trailers may have a pretty bad reputation as places to set up home, but architect Michael Hughes is rejuvenating the way they are perceived with his Trailerwarp project. Hughes is unlocking the potential of these design-impaired living spaces by adding cross-bracing and metal columns for support, extending steel tubing beyond the original frame and creating thicker, insulated walls, which add a few extra feet of living space. The result is a far more aesthetically pleasing place to live, which preserves much of the trailer’s original portability.
Killer curves
The name Pierre Cardin is synonymous with flawless fashion design, but the great man’s appreciation of design can also be applied to architecture. Bent on having a Cannes summer house with a different style in the 1980s, Cardin was captivated by the work that was being done by the architect Antti Lovag for a French industrialist. When the industrialist in question died before the ‘Bubble home’ was created, Pierre stepped in. The result is ‘Palais Bulles’ – a one-of-a-kind fantasy home that is all curves inside and out.
Welcome to The Shire…
This charming Welsh home was designed and constructed with a low-impact, permaculture approach to life in mind. Permaculture is all about living in harmony with nature; doing things in a way that is both simple and utilizes appropriate levels of technology.
It may look small, but this place is actually a comfortable family home and apparently took just four months to complete. Just as in The Shire (as described in The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings) the ethos here is all about quality of life, so it may come as no surprise that it took around 1000-1500 man hours and just £3000 to make a reality.
Shelling out on the perfect home
Last but not least and based on the Island of Isla Mujeres in Mexico, this sea themed home was designed by the architect Octavio Ocampo. The Conch Shell House is reportedly and unsurprisingly celebrated as the most original house on the island and boasts 180 degrees of Caribbean ocean views from the windows, a swimming pool, air-conditioning and Internet access.
Despite its unusual-looking proportions, the house accommodates four people in two bedrooms and is 5,500 square foot in size. And if you’re loving the shell theme, you won’t be disappointed by the interior; the upstairs bathroom sink is made out of the base of a conch shell, and the taps are made out of coral!
Leave a Reply