Creative, These 8 Exterior Designs Reflect Their Building's Functions!
In various parts of the world, there are many buildings that resemble objects in their surroundings! These buildings aren't just sculptures on display; they are actually designed and function as residences or workplaces. Some of these buildings also serve as advertising media and business icons.
Now, curious about what these buildings look like? Check out the article below.
1. Kirin Beer Factory
Along the Tokaido Shinkansen Nagoya Line in Japan, you can find a unique and towering building that resembles giant beer tanks. It turns out this building is the Kirin beer factory. The factory is easily recognizable with its golden yellow lower part and white upper part. Does it look like a glass of beer with frothy foam? Yes, it's an apt icon for a beer factory!
2. Taru Tonnaeau
Still in Japan, but in the city of Okinawa, there's a bar and restaurant known as Barrel, but its actual name is Taru Tonnaeau. What's phenomenal is that the building is shaped like a giant wine barrel made of wood! The building's details are meticulously designed, including its barrel-like grooved motif and a tap as decoration. Pretty cool, right?
3. Hood Milk Bottle
In 1933, a man named Arthur Gagnon wanted to open an ice cream stand in Boston, United States. He designed his new business to look like a 40-foot-tall giant milk bottle. Over time, there were changes in ownership and the building's function, and it eventually became known as the Hood Milk Bottle.
4. United Equipment Company
A company called United in California, United States, primarily sells and rents heavy equipment like compactors and excavators. So, is it reasonable for their corporate headquarters to be shaped like a yellow bulldozer? This two-story bulldozer-shaped building opened in 1976 and still serves as the United company's office. Remarkable!
5. The ShipHaus
A native of Batuan, Philippines named Captain Gaudencio Dumapias had a successful career as a sailor. Due to his love for maritime-related things, he eventually built his house in the shape of a cargo ship. The house became famous for its uniqueness, and in 2011, it was opened to local and international tourists to showcase Batuan's culture. Visitors can see local weavers at work and purchase their merchandise in the souvenir shop. The ShipHaus is the name given to this unique house.
6. Binoculars Building
You've probably heard of the famous company Google, right? Well, one of Google's branch offices in Venice, Los Angeles, has a unique architectural design: it's shaped like a pair of binoculars. Originally, this building was constructed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen in 1991 for an advertising agency. It wasn't until 2011 that Google leased it as a branch office.
7. Library of Kansas City
What icon is suitable for advertising a library? If your answer is 'books,' then this advertisement takes the form of a building shaped like a row of books! This book building also serves as advertising for a city library in Kansas, United States. The bookshelf consists of concrete panels depicting book titles representing various reading interests recommended by the library. Amazing!
8. The Shoe House
Don't be surprised when you pass through the outskirts of Pennsylvania, United States, and you see a giant 'shoe.' This building isn't a sculpture; it's actually a residence. This eccentric, 25-foot-tall, 48-foot-long, and 17-foot-wide structure features a living room in the shoe's sole, a kitchen in its heel, two bedrooms located in the ankle, and an ice cream shop at the back complete with a toilet. A shoe salesman named Colonel Mahlon N. Haines built this 'shoe' in 1948 to commemorate his profession. The shoe house has changed owners multiple times over the years and still stands today.
