Everybody knows the famous scene from Indecent Proposal when David (Woody Harrelson) is lecturing his students about architecture. He ends with the thought, "Every brick wants to be something". It’s hard to disagree. Architecture is amazing, evolving, changing, and the most challenging of arts. The bricks that made these buildings are certainly something, but what exactly?
Culture.pl presents some of our favourite unusual public and private designs in a list of the weirdest pieces of architecture you can imagine.
1. Jesus in Świebodzin
Jesus in Świebodzin with rainbow, blue sky and Polish landscape, photo by Mateusz Skwarczek / Agencja Gazeta
This is one of the most controversial sculptures in this part of Europe. After battles and arguments between atheists and believers, Jesus now stands in the middle of a cabbage field. Stop by to high-five the 33-meter tall Jesus!
2. The Observation Tower in Gorzów Wielkopolski
The Observation Tower in Gorzów Wielkopolski, photo by Wojciech Wójcik / Forum
No one knows if the designer of this tower was drunk or just hated Gorzów, but his work scares both citizens and visitors alike. The building was constructed as a 700th birthday gift to the city. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
3. Headquarters of National Polish Television in Warsaw
Headquaters of National Polish Television in Warsaw, photo by Andrzej Bogacz / Forum
The concept of this building was ambitious. The complex of buildings with a spiral tower was meant to evoke the Tower of Babel and the problems of communication – and to suggest television as the solution. Unfortunately, as before, the Tower of Babel was not so successful.
4. Petrol station in Rytro
Petrol station in Rytro, photo: fotopolska.eu
It is like a post-Soviet edition of one of the Frank Gehry’s projects. A failed mixture of utility, placement, and innovation.
5. Crooked Little House in Sopot
Crooked Little House in Sopot, photo by Łukasz Dejnarowicz / Forum
The Crooked Little House in Sopot was designed by Szotyńscy & Zaleski, who were inspired by the fairytale illustrations and drawings of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg. It’s a little bit magical, a little bit kitschy, and very recognizable.
6. Polish Pyramids
Scientists still aren’t sure how and by whom the Egyptian Pyramids were constructed, but it is a well-known fact who’s responsible for Poland’s pyramids. From the wide range of "Polish Pyramids", let see two examples:
- The Pyramid Hotel in Tychy. Tutankhamun would have loved to spend his eternal life here!
Pyramid Hotel in Tychy, photo: promotional materials of the hotel
"Pyramid" and its proud designer Maurycy Gomulicki in Kraków, photo by Michał Lepecki / Agencja Gazeta
7. Skull Chapel in Czermna
Skull Chapel in Czermna, photo by Marek Skorupski / Forum
The Chapel was built in 1776 by parish priest Wacław Tomaszek. Instead of bricks he used the skulls of people who died during the Thirty Years’ War, the three Silesian Wars, and of commoners killed by cholera, epidemics, plague, syphilis and hunger.
8. Upside Down House in Szymbark
Upside Down House in Szymbark, photo by Rafał Meszka / East News
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to walk on the ceiling, here’s your chance. The Upside Down House in Szymbark is a typical cottage – but upside down!
9. House in Żeleźnikowa near Nowy Sącz
Jakub Potoczek's house in Żeleźnikowa near Nowy Sącz, photo: promotional materials of Jakub Potoczek / www.jakub-potoczek.com
This house is crawling up from the ground. The only part that is visible is a steel rooftop that mirrors the mountainous landscape of Nowy Sącz. Building was designed and constructed by architect - Jakub Potoczek.
10. Theatre in the Closet in Toruń
Baj Pomorski Theatre in Toruń, photo: Travelphoto / Forum
Baj Pomorski Theatre in Toruń is focused on children’s plays and its building is as amusing as its productions. From the outside the theatre looks like a huge magic closet – lovely, unique, and strange.