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    Some of the Strangest Buildings in the World: Architectural Marvels That Push Boundaries

    Written by: Saram Maqbool
    Posted on: July 06, 2023 | | 中文

    National Theater in Beijing

    When you think of a building, let’s say an office building, what do you envision? Perhaps it’s a tall skyscraper built of iron and glass or a futuristic, almost abstract structure. What your very first thought wouldn’t be is a building disguised to resemble a giant basket. But would you believe that this is an actual piece of architecture?

    There are many examples of such downright weird structures in the world through which their respective architects have pushed the boundaries of what building design can be. Let’s talk about some of the strangest ones that stand out because of their unconventional designs. You might love them or hate them, but there’s no denying that they possess an inherent ingenuity that’s hard to miss.

    The Basket Building (Ohio, USA)

    Located in Newark, Ohio, the Basket Building is exactly what its name suggests – a seven-story building shaped like a gigantic picnic basket. Built as the headquarters of the Longaberger Company, a manufacturer of handcrafted baskets, this whimsical structure captures the attention with its playful design. With a handle that doubles as an observation deck, the Basket Building is a testament to creativity and showcases how architecture can reflect the purpose and identity of a business, even if it’s something that many architects wouldn’t agree with since it looks more like a funny jab than anything else.

    The Basket Building in Ohio

    National Carpet Museum (Baku, Azerbaijan)

    Stepping into the National Carpet Museum feels like entering a woven tapestry. Shaped like a rolled-up carpet, this architectural gem pays homage to Azerbaijan's rich carpet-weaving tradition. The building's unique shape and intricate facade, adorned with colorful motifs, mirror the patterns found in traditional Azerbaijani carpets. Its gold and silver facade shimmers in the bright sunlight against blue skies. Inside, visitors can explore a vast collection of carpets and rugs, gaining insight into the country's cultural heritage while marveling at the building's artistic representation.

    National Carpet Museum in Baku

    The Crooked House (Sopot, Poland)

    Located in the seaside resort town of Sopot, the Crooked House is a structure that seems to have come straight out of a fairytale. When you first walk past it, you might just feel a little dizzy and try to catch yourself. Designed by architects Szotyńscy & Zaleski, this peculiar building features an undulating facade, as if it were made of melting wax. Inspired by the illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and the paintings of Per Dahlberg, the Crooked House stands out with its almost surreal appearance. Housing various shops and restaurants, it offers visitors a truly enchanting experience. It’s impossible at first to figure out how the building even works because its jello-like appearance makes it look like it’ll start wobbling around with the slightest of touche.

    The Crooked House in Sopot

    La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain)

    One of the most famous buildings in the world, La Sagrada Familia is an architectural masterpiece that defies categorization. Designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi, this basilica is a fusion of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, with its towering spires, intricate facades and organic forms. What sets La Sagrada Familia apart is its ongoing construction, which began in 1882 and continues to this day. Gaudí's vision remains unfinished, making it a symbol of perpetual creation and a testament to the power of architecture to transcend time. Each point of the facade you set your eyes on has something interesting to show. Gaudi also heavily used Christian symbolism in the building, both outside and inside. The structure has three distinct sides: the Nativity Facade, the Passion Facade, and the Glory Façade, each with its own set of sculptures and inscriptions paying homage to the Christian belief and showcasing Gaudi’s love for nature and its forms.

    La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

    La Pedrera (Barcelona, Spain)

    Another iconic creation by Antoni Gaudi and known as Casa Milà, this is a residential building in Barcelona that exemplifies the architect's imaginative style. Built between 1906 and 1912, the building's undulating stone facade and wrought-iron balconies stand in stark contrast to the conventional buildings surrounding it. La Pedrera's rooftop is particularly noteworthy, with its chimneys resembling ancient warriors who are appointed to protect the residents. The building's unconventional design challenges traditional notions of structure and creates a harmonious blend of art and architecture.

    La Pedrera in Barcelona

    Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao, Spain)

    Nestled in the heart of Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum is an architectural gem that has become an iconic symbol of the city. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, this contemporary art museum is a spectacle of curves, angles, and metallic surfaces. Its most distinctive feature is the undulating titanium panels that cover the exterior, giving the building an otherworldly appearance. The interplay of light and shadow on the reflective surfaces creates a mesmerizing visual effect, while the fluid lines of the structure add a sense of movement and dynamism to the point where it almost looks like a deconstructed ship. The Guggenheim Museum is a testament to Gehry's innovative design philosophy, making it a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

    Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao

    National Theater of China (Beijing, China)

    In the bustling city of Beijing, the National Theater stands as a striking example of contemporary architectural design. Also known as "The Giant Egg" or "The Eggshell," this futuristic building is an amalgamation of glass, titanium, and steel. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the theater's spherical shape, covered with a translucent glass curtain, is an architectural marvel. The structure appears to float on a man-made lake around it, while its reflection creates the illusion of it being an ellipse. The result is something very alien, like a spaceship that has descended on Earth. The interior is equally impressive, with three main halls that cater to opera, theater, and concerts. The National Theater exemplifies the fusion of modernity and traditional Chinese culture, captivating visitors with its innovative design and dedication to the performing arts.

    These examples show, more than anything, the ingenuity of the human mind. In times when artificial intelligence seems to be taking over the world, there’s really no match for what people can come up with. Architects have an internal need to create things that haven’t been created before, just like other creatives. And when they’re given free rein to design a building, the results are often awe-inspiring, even if the design is somewhat eccentric, at times..


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    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021









    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir



    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.