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95 Illusionary Architecture Examples

From Dreamlike Installations to Multi-Dimensional Structures

— December 13, 2013 — Eco
These illusionary architecture examples are built using imagination and the implementation of some of the world’s most complex and innovative tech tools. With technology comes knowledge and the ability to produce objects and architecture that has seldom been seen before.

Embracing modern design principles and conventions does not always amount to innovation but these illusionary architecture examples do this by pushing design boundaries. Dreamscape art installations, illuminated LED pavilions and sculptural structures are just some of the many examples of these bold architecture pieces.

The impressive designs defy convention while embracing the true definition of sensory space for its users. Moreover, these structures leave an emotional impression on the individual, one that is linked with memory and experience.
6.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Dhow-Inspired Architecture
Dhow-Inspired Architecture
The Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadium by Zaha Hadid is All Sweeping Lines
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99
Street Party Installations
Street Party Installations
This Street Party in Portugal Takes Design and Fun to Another Level
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98
Oceanic-Inspired Mansions
Oceanic-Inspired Mansions
The Exterior of This Arizona Mansion Resembles a Sea Creature
<
97
Impressive Solar-Powered Hospitals
Impressive Solar-Powered Hospitals
Partners in Health Created this Large Solar-Powered Hospital
<
96
Star-Shaped Architecture
Star-Shaped Architecture
Asterisk by SAKO Architects is a Restaurant That's Worthy of Note
<
95
Surreal Structural Concepts
Surreal Structural Concepts
The Hidden Orchestra by Alice Labourel is Imaginative and Practical
<
94
Helium-Suspended Bridges
Helium-Suspended Bridges
This Art Project Bridge is Held up by Three Giant Helium Balloons
<
93
Boisterous Avant-Garde Arenas
Boisterous Avant-Garde Arenas
The Barclays Center Arena is Truly a Stunning Sight
<
92
Rotationally Reformed Residences
Rotationally Reformed Residences
The Radius Transformation Pavilion Prototype Pushes Boundaries
<
91
Computer-Crafted Sculptures
Computer-Crafted Sculptures
Nick Ervink's Cross Media Creations are Modernizing Sculpting
<
90
Crooked Frame Architecture
Crooked Frame Architecture
The Unbalanced Hotel Embraces its Dramatic Landscape by Framing it
<
89
Illuminated Museum Construction Sites
Illuminated Museum Construction Sites
The Musee des Confluences Puts on a Colorful Display
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88
Cavernous Landscape Buildings
Cavernous Landscape Buildings
MAD Designs Nanjing Buildings that Look Like Futuristic Mountains
<
87
Designer Sand Castle Structures
Designer Sand Castle Structures
The Design Miami Sand Pavilion is Meant to Keep Guests Cool
<
86
Portable Solar-Charging Pavilions
Portable Solar-Charging Pavilions
The Pure Tension by SDA Fits Neatly into a Car's Trunk
<
85
Gilded Leaved Pavilions
Gilded Leaved Pavilions
Els Encants Vells by b720 Arquitectos Casts Golden Reflections
<
84
Floating Tree Structures
Floating Tree Structures
The Cocoon by AA Design & Make Combines Nature with Architecture
<
83
Airy Islamic-Inspired Towers
Airy Islamic-Inspired Towers
This Piece of Tower Architecture is More Open Than Closed
<
82
Translucent Spheric Structures
Translucent Spheric Structures
The Nobel Headquarters by SANAA is a Message of Global Unity
<
81
Hidden Courtyard Complexes
Hidden Courtyard Complexes
Romera y Ruiz Arquitectos' Design Conceals a Stunningly Secretive Abode
<
80
Sting Ray-Inspired Floating Museums
Sting Ray-Inspired Floating Museums
The Pingtan Art Museum Can Only be Accessed by Bridge
<
79
Intricate Thread Sculptures
Intricate Thread Sculptures
Takahiro Iwasaki Creates Miniscule Pieces of Architecture from Thread
<
78
Psychological Penal Institutions
Psychological Penal Institutions
The Hydroelectric Waterfall Prison Plays with Inmates' Minds
<
77
Upcycled Dome Installations
Upcycled Dome Installations
The 'Harvest Dome 2.0' Floats Elegantly Over the Harlem River
<
76
Peculiar Puckered Pedestrian Crossings
Peculiar Puckered Pedestrian Crossings
The ArxipelagA Bridge Approaches Passing Rivers Creatively
<
75
Ballooning Eco Architecture
Ballooning Eco Architecture
Beyond the Clouds Enhances a Harbor with Exciting Environmental Design
<
74
Biodegradable Forest Shelters
Biodegradable Forest Shelters
This 3D-Printed Design of Blends into the Natural Surroundings
<
73
Futuristic Fish-Shaped Airports
Futuristic Fish-Shaped Airports
The Shenzhen Airport Happens to Look Like a Manta Ray Shark
<
72
Tilted Cylindrical Buildings
Tilted Cylindrical Buildings
La Luciole Concert Hall by Moussafir Architectes Associés is Pla
<
71
Abstractly Amalgamated Architecture
Abstractly Amalgamated Architecture
Contemporary Vernacular Expresses a Modern Indigenous Style
<
70
Sand Dune-Shaped HQs
Sand Dune-Shaped HQs
The New Arpt Headquarters is Functionally Curvaceous
<
69
Functional Art Retreats
Functional Art Retreats
The Zig Zag Pavilion by Michael Jantzen Studio is Utterly Abstract
<
68
3D Printer-Infused Architecture
3D Printer-Infused Architecture
British Architect Priestman Infuses Architecture with Technology
<
67
Typography-Infused Architecture
Typography-Infused Architecture
The Gas Receiving Station by Studio Marco Vermeulen is Dynamic
<
66
Abstract Tessellated Architecture
Abstract Tessellated Architecture
The Mosaic Museum of Ceramics Features a Riot of Broken Bowls
<
65
Geometric Igloo Abodes
Geometric Igloo Abodes
Marcello’s House by Ctrl+Z and NoSoloPaja Displays a Whimsical Design
<
64
Curvaceous Crayon Installations
Curvaceous Crayon Installations
This Pencil Crayon Installation Comes From 'Variable Projects'
<
63
Architecturally Odd Art Installations
Architecturally Odd Art Installations
Alex Schweder's Performance Architecture Plays With Space
<
62
Abstract Wave-Inspired Architecture
Abstract Wave-Inspired Architecture
The Hyundai Pavilion by Unsangdong Architects Mimics Motion
<
61
Cascading Chromatic Canvases
Cascading Chromatic Canvases
Peter Struycken's Netherland Architecture Institute Display is Vivid
<
60
Musical Cylinder Structures
Musical Cylinder Structures
The Loopcamp by Malka Architecture Creates Sound With Wind Power
<
59
Upcycled Umbrella Artwork
Upcycled Umbrella Artwork
The Stunning 'Harvest Dome 2.0' Floats Along the Water in New York City
<
58
Cavernous Ice Rink Pavilions
Cavernous Ice Rink Pavilions
Stalactite is a Sculptural Structure That Shelters Shivering Skaters
<
57
Command-Responsive Pavilion Concepts
Command-Responsive Pavilion Concepts
The Entangled Pavilion Self-Changes Shape At Visitors' Wishes
<
56
Bamboo Woven Canopies
Bamboo Woven Canopies
The Pulse Pavilion Boasts a Latticed Framework
<
55
Scattered Geometry Structure
Scattered Geometry Structure
This Architecture Piece by Michael Jantzen Boasts a Conceptual Design
<
54
Cantilever-Inspired Homes
Cantilever-Inspired Homes
The ‘8008’ Home by Hiroyuki Arima is Japanese Architecture
<
53
Eco-Friendly Storm Shelters
Eco-Friendly Storm Shelters
The Polar Umbrella is a Stunning Shelter for Ecological Storm
<
52
Alienesque Architectural Cladding
Alienesque Architectural Cladding
Exquisitely Exuviated Project Has a Biologically Inspired Skin
<
51
Luminous Free-Form Buildings
Luminous Free-Form Buildings
This Dubai Architecture is a Stunning Cube that Radiates at Night
<
50
LED Dome Architecture
LED Dome Architecture
Rising Moon by Daydreamers Design Lights Up Hong Kong's Urban Landscape
<
49
Eco-Friendly Temporary Libraries
Eco-Friendly Temporary Libraries
The 'SUTD Library Pavilion' is Recyclable and Modern
<
48
Spellbinding Metallic Installations
Spellbinding Metallic Installations
The Zaha Hadid 'Arum' Installation Explores Ethereal Structure
<
47
Interactive Cranium Sculptures
Interactive Cranium Sculptures
The Giant Head Sculpture in Alberta is an Impressive Sight
<
46
Intricate Transforming Towers
Intricate Transforming Towers
The Hydropolis Skyscraper Embodies and Elaborate Structure
<
45
Elaborately Entangled Installations
Elaborately Entangled Installations
Tangling by Akihisa Hirata Hypnotizes with Curvaceous Shapes
<
44
Vertical Tent Pods
Vertical Tent Pods
A-KAMP47 by Malka Architecture Provides Shelter for the Homeless
<
43
Sweeping Strawlike Structures
Sweeping Strawlike Structures
Fresh Hills Integrates a Wind Farm with a Park on a Covered Landfill
<
42
Otherworldly Eroding Architecture
Otherworldly Eroding Architecture
The Oxymoron Skyscraper Explores the Paradox of Solidity
<
41
Surreal House Sculptures
Surreal House Sculptures
The Modular House Pavilion by Michael Jantzen is Impossibly Abstract
<
40
Buoyant Balloon Architecture
Buoyant Balloon Architecture
Enveloping Space Embodies a New Structural Language of Levitation
<
39
Skeletal Ripple Structures
Skeletal Ripple Structures
The Mosque Amir Al-Momenin is Designed with Sustainability in Mind
<
38
Cardiovascular City Architecture
Cardiovascular City Architecture
The Heart of the District Hotel Redefines Urban Travel
<
37
Temporary Honeycomb Architecture
Temporary Honeycomb Architecture
The Shellstar Pavilion Features a Super Lightweight Construction
<
36
Fanciful Futuristic Facades
Fanciful Futuristic Facades
This Renovation Project has a Sun-Protecting Perforated Metal Shield
<
35
Sprouting Ciggy Hubs
Sprouting Ciggy Hubs
The Perpetuum Mobile Smoking Point Would Be Refreshing to Non-Smokers
<
34
Web-Like Lattice Architecture
Web-Like Lattice Architecture
The La Voute de Le Fevre is Impressively Voluminous
<
33
Eternity Puzzle-Inspired Architecture
Eternity Puzzle-Inspired Architecture
The Perth Arena is Futuristically Faceted
<
32
Sky Bridge Transport Hubs
Sky Bridge Transport Hubs
The Rostov-on-Don Airport is a Contemporary Monument to World Travel
<
31
Abstract Expressive Facades
Abstract Expressive Facades
Granular Spa Haus' Sculptural Cladding is Indicative of its Interior
<
30
Alien Athletic Architecture
Alien Athletic Architecture
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium Has a Glass Roof and Seats 80,000
<
29
Geometric Country Homes
Geometric Country Homes
Plasma Studio's Modern Designed House Sits in a Rural Area
<
28
Transparent Honeycomb Structures
Transparent Honeycomb Structures
Honey Scape by X-REF Embraces Geometric Elements
<
27
Weather Distorted Facades
Weather Distorted Facades
The Brisbane Airport Kinetic Parking Garage Transforms with Wind
<
26
Grid-Like Wave Canopies
Grid-Like Wave Canopies
The Lignum Pavilion Shows Off the Modern Uses of Wood in Architecture
<
25
Secluded Sanctuary Hotels
Secluded Sanctuary Hotels
The Songjiang Hotel is Built Straight into an Abandoned Quarry
<
24
Arched Geometry Structures
Arched Geometry Structures
The Roskilde Dome Pavilion is Home to the Danish Music Festival
<
23
Illusory Imploding Interiors
Illusory Imploding Interiors
'PuLSaTe' Uses Op-Art Architecture to Create a Captivating Showroom
<
22
Pumpkin-Inspired Pop-Up Shops
Pumpkin-Inspired Pop-Up Shops
Yayoi Kusama Collaborates on the 12 Louis Vuitton by THEVERYMANY
<
21
Crystalline Urban Landscape Projects
Crystalline Urban Landscape Projects
The BRDGLab Top Down Design is a Stunning View of Toronto
<
20
Sun-Blistering Buildings
Sun-Blistering Buildings
The Bloom Pavilion Reacts to Solar Exposure Like a Living Thing
<
19
LEGO-Inspired Architecture
LEGO-Inspired Architecture
Turkish Company Designnobis Presents the D-Eco Brick
<
18
Pleated Architectural Projects
Pleated Architectural Projects
Deep Facade Explores the Overlap of Indoor and Outdoor Structures
<
17
Fabulously Futuristic Boutiques
Fabulously Futuristic Boutiques
The Stuart Weitzman Boutique Aesthetic is Futuristic Minimalist
<
16
Cramped Apartment Captures
Cramped Apartment Captures
1972 by Noritaka Minami is Depressingly Futuristic
<
15
Blood Vessel Buildings
Blood Vessel Buildings
The El Raval Performing Arts Center Will Bring New Life into a Neighborhood
<
14
Buddhist Wooden Constructions
Buddhist Wooden Constructions
The Khor I temporary theatre by TAAT Looks Sliced and Avant-Garde
<
13
Water Treatment Architecture
Water Treatment Architecture
Conversing with Water Project Integrates Eco Behavior with Building
<
12
Curvy Cafeteria Designs
Curvy Cafeteria Designs
Karim Rashid's Food Court Design is Sculptural and Organic
<
11
Perforated Accordion-like Pavilions
Perforated Accordion-like Pavilions
The Bowooss Bionic Optimized Wooden Shell is Eco-Conscious
<
10
Responsive Wall Systems
Responsive Wall Systems
Wallbots is an Adaptable Environment that Changes According to Your Needs
<
9
Undulating Ceiling Installations
Undulating Ceiling Installations
Paper Chandeliers by Cristina Parreno Architecture is Spectacular
<
8
Touchscreen Skyrise Apartments
Touchscreen Skyrise Apartments
Monaco's Odeon Tower Will Feature Advance Architecture and Services
<
7
Minimalist Infinite Installations
Minimalist Infinite Installations
Unidisplay by Carsten Nicolai Has Guests Gazing Into Infinity
<
6
Energy Efficient Egg Boats
Energy Efficient Egg Boats
The Exbury Egg is a Floating Self-Sustaining Home or Workspace
<
5
Wooden Geodesic Pavilions
Wooden Geodesic Pavilions
The Peoples Meeting Dome Has a Geometric Organic Aesthetic
<
4
Eco Urban Tree Houses
Eco Urban Tree Houses
These High-Tech Tree Houses Bring Green Shelter to Urban Areas
<
3
Luxurious Hill-Covered Houses
Luxurious Hill-Covered Houses
The Villa Vals Switzerland Vacation Homes are Inside the Alps
<
2
Underwater-Simulating Installations
Underwater-Simulating Installations
Aquatic Colors Focuses on a Breathtaking Bloom of Jellyfish
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1
Optical Illusion Structures
Optical Illusion Structures
The Reframe Art Installation Features Multiple Perspectives
<