We know what buildings are. We see them every day. Normally they are rectangular in shape, sometimes with a triangular roof. They keep us safe from the elements and sometimes they're nice to look at. All of the buildings on this list are more fashion than function. Don't get me wrong, they still function fine (better than fine, even). They're just also really cool to look at.
Keep reading to see some of the strangest buildings on the planet.
Life Is A Highway
This building has a highway that goes straight through it. If you're a commuter and you live in this building, life must be pretty easy for you.
I wonder if it gets loud in there sometimes, though.
A Unique Shape
This is a building located in Dubai. You can take an elevator all the way to the top of it and then walk across that top floor.
It's kind of crazy looking.
The Flintstone House
This "Flintstone" house was declared a public nuisance because of its odd shape and bright colors, but ultimately it was decided that it didn't have to change.
Look at all those dinosaurs!
So Many Windows
I don't know where one floor starts and the other ends on this house. From the look of the windows, it seems like this is a five-storey building.
It can't be that big, right?
Ready For Takeoff
This hotel shaped like a plane is known as the Concorde De Luxe Resort and it's located in Antalya, Turkey.
It does really look like it's about to take off into the sky at any moment.
The Department Of Fisheries
It looks like the people who built the National Fisheries Development Board in Hyderabad, India, decided to get really literal.
Yes, that is a building that's shaped like a fish. All of those curves couldn't have been easy to pull off.
All Aboard
This Japanese Mooka train station was built to look like a train. I guess that makes sense. What else should it look like? A boat?
If you're trying to catch a train, you know you're in the right place.
A Lush Hotel
This hotel in Singapore has three levels of lush greenery right in the middle of it.
I bet guests can take a stroll on those balconies and really immerse themselves in nature while they're staying in the city.
So Many Books
This is the incredible Kansas City Public Library building located in Missouri.
Whoever created this hyper-realistic book design did a really great job making it look like a giant's bookshelf.
Dark And Twisty
Believe it or not, this is actually the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It's nice, but maybe not the thing you want to be looking at if you have brain problems.
The Face House
This is Face House. It was created by Kazumasa Yamashita in Kyoto, Japan. This photo was actually taken in 1974.
Imagine riding your bike past this thing every day.
Basket Headquarters
This giant basket-shaped building is the headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company in Ohio.
There is definitely some clever design work going on here. The building almost looks like it's woven.
A Long Climb
Imagine having to climb up these stairs every time you wanted to get back into your house. This building is absolutely gorgeous, but how practical is it really?
Is it stable on those spindly legs?
A Tortoise Building
Someone decided to make a building that looks exactly like a tortoise, and honestly, I'm here for it. I love the rock texture on the shell.
It took some serious craftsmanship to create this.
The Mushroom House
This is the mushroom house located in New York.
I don't know who made this or how they made this, but I know I want to pack up all my stuff and move to this house immediately.
In The Grass
This turf house is still in use in Iceland.
It's crazy how you can't even see most of the house anymore because of how the grass has grown over it.
On The Balcony
This is architect Sou Fujimoto's "L'Arbre Blanc" Tower in Montpellier, France.
It's amazing how each one of those windows has its own super long balcony. Although you probably want to be on a top balcony to avoid getting overshadowed.
The Original Shell
This is an original Shell gas station from back in the 1930s. Can you believe that this is what gas stations used to look like back in the day?
It looks like it's part of a movie set.