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62 Illusory Architectural Designs

From Faux Floating Homes to Optical Illusion Structures

— October 21, 2013 — Art & Design
Architects are continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible when it comes to three-dimensional structures, and these illusory architectural designs are some mesmerizing examples of how the use of optical illusions can create a mind-boggling appearance.

While illusory techniques and deceptive appearances are often aspects found in magic tricks and children's toys, these unique architectural designs are taking that concept to the next level by using optical illusions in the structural design. Creating beautifully whimsical pieces of art that are initially quite deceiving to the eye, these illusory architectural designs are encouraging viewers to look more closely to examine what truly lies behind these deceptive facades.

From buildings that appear to be floating above land to psychedelic interior spaces, these illusory architectural designs are sure to have people visually consumed by the variety of optical illusions.
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62
Kitschy Nightclub Retailers
Kitschy Nightclub Retailers
The Shoebaloo by MVSA Fuses Footwear Shopping with Dancing
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61
Floating Waterfront Museums
Floating Waterfront Museums
The Astrup Fearnley Museet is Set in Oslo's Canals
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60
Fenced Geometry Enclosures
Fenced Geometry Enclosures
The Landscape Fence by Heri&Salli is Awe-Inspiring
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59
Whimsical Work Environments
Whimsical Work Environments
The 'Ocean of Dots' Office by Matsuya Art Works is Dynamic
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58
Rainbow Illusion Art
Rainbow Illusion Art
The Deconstructing Ways Project Takes Streets Apart to Create New Ones
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57
Transparent Sin City Abodes
Transparent Sin City Abodes
The Veer Towers Give Residents an Unfettered View of Vegas
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56
Mirrored Work Spaces
Mirrored Work Spaces
The No Picnic Office Looks Like an Open Dance Studio
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55
Slender Circular Structures
Slender Circular Structures
The Aldar Headquarters by MZ Architects is Located in Abu Dhabi
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54
Streamlined Sci-Fi Garages
Streamlined Sci-Fi Garages
The Herma Parking Building by JOHO Architecture is Futuristic
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53
Tidal Wave-Inspired Structures
Tidal Wave-Inspired Structures
The HENN Architects Porsche Pavilion is Curvaceous
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52
Reflective Mountainside Residences
Reflective Mountainside Residences
Conference Crystal Iselsberg by MHM Architects is Breathtaking
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51
Illusory Illustrated Architecture
Illusory Illustrated Architecture
Productive Ambiguities Shapeshifts with Surface Effects
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50
Quarry-Crossing Reflective Resorts
Quarry-Crossing Reflective Resorts
Coop Himmelb(l)au Won the Dawang Mountain Resort Commission
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49
Illusive Self-Reflecting Skyscrapers
Illusive Self-Reflecting Skyscrapers
The ‘Tower Infinity’ will be the World’s Ta
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48
Perception-Popping Planes
Perception-Popping Planes
The SimmINN Flight Simulation Center in Stuttgart, Germany is Dynamic
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47
Fable-Inspired Office Interiors
Fable-Inspired Office Interiors
The UXUS HQ Features a Mysterious Black Door
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46
Fake Floating Residences
Fake Floating Residences
The Dune House Boasts an All-Glass Bottom
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45
Iconic Optical Illusion Architecture
Iconic Optical Illusion Architecture
Vicente de Paulo Manipulates the Work of Oscar Niemeyer
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44
Caged Communal Cafes
Caged Communal Cafes
The Scarpetta Dining Pavilion Is Chic And Elegant
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43
Fascinating Illusory Facades
Fascinating Illusory Facades
K-Studio Designs Building for Moda Bagno-Interni Store
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42
Mythical Reflective Structures
Mythical Reflective Structures
'The Stone' is Inspired by the Legend of King Arthur
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41
Reflective Surface Residences
Reflective Surface Residences
The Mirror House by Ekkehard Alteburger is Narcissistic
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40
Transparently Layered Interiors
Transparently Layered Interiors
The Urbatek Showroom by CuldeSac is Modern in its Design Aesthetic
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39
Illusion-Inspired Buildings
Illusion-Inspired Buildings
The Palaon Research and Experience Center can Disappear
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38
Controversially Exploding Architecture
Controversially Exploding Architecture
The Cloud by MVRDV Looks Like a Tribute to the Twin Towers
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37
Metallic Couture Wallpaper
Metallic Couture Wallpaper
Module H by Shigeru Ban Joins Forces With Hermès to Create Home De
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36
Optical Illusion Architecture
Optical Illusion Architecture
This Solar Powered Home Attempts to Trick the Eye
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35
Aperture-Focused Architecture
Aperture-Focused Architecture
The Knuckle House Uses Unconventional Windows to Maximize Light
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34
Optically Deceiving Shops
Optically Deceiving Shops
The Camper Lyon Store Features Architectural Drawings
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33
Reflective Public Art
Reflective Public Art
Crystal City Mind
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32
Glimmering Architecture
Glimmering Architecture
The Swarovski Store in Japan
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31
Mirrored Canopy Structures
Mirrored Canopy Structures
The Port Vieux Pavilion is Reminiscent of Chicago's Cloud Gate
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30
Mirrored Indoor Slide Abodes
Mirrored Indoor Slide Abodes
The 'Skyhouse' By David Hotson x Ghislaine Vinas is Incredible
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29
Red Winding Walkways
Red Winding Walkways
West 8 Architects' Twist Bridge Inspires Imagination in a Functional Way
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28
Dizzying Contortionist Towers
Dizzying Contortionist Towers
The Wavy GT Tower East by ArchitectenConsort is Fascinating
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27
Inverted Pyramid Architecture
Inverted Pyramid Architecture
The Phenomenal GMP Architects Design for the Hanoi Museum
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26
Mirrored Limestone Extenstions
Mirrored Limestone Extenstions
The House at Goleen by Niall McLaughlin Architects Extends Hillside
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25
Faux Floating Homes
Faux Floating Homes
The Two Islands Mark's House is Made to Appear as If It is Mid-Air
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24
Fighter Plane-Inspired Canopies
Fighter Plane-Inspired Canopies
The Stealth Pavilion by Paul Segers is Strong and Masculine
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23
Human Hibernation Pods
Human Hibernation Pods
‘The Alpine Capsule' Mimics a Giant Drop of Mercury
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22
Reflective Funhouse Facades
Reflective Funhouse Facades
Mirror House by MLRP Features a Playful Exterior
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21
Extensive Spiralling Sculptures
Extensive Spiralling Sculptures
Sity by Sonik Module Wraps itself Around an Urban Park
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20
Geometric Illusion Photography (UPDATE)
Geometric Illusion Photography (UPDATE)
The Incredible Photos by Georges Rousse Manipulate Reality
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19
Hallucinogenic Teapot Decor
Hallucinogenic Teapot Decor
The T-Magi Store's Perforated Optical Illusion Wall
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18
Wavy River Walkways
Wavy River Walkways
The Maribor Footbridge by Ja Studio & Tadj-Farzin Studio
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17
3D Polycarbonate Portals
3D Polycarbonate Portals
Reframe for the 2012 Festival of Lively Architecture is Cube-Shaped
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16
Peeling Architecture
Peeling Architecture
Camenzind Evolution Design Creates Swirling Cocoon Offices
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15
Illusory Imploding Interiors
Illusory Imploding Interiors
'PuLSaTe' Uses Op-Art Architecture to Create a Captivating Showroom
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14
Fragmented Glass Facades
Fragmented Glass Facades
The Cluj-Napoca Art Center Breaks Down the Architectural Norm
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13
Ice Cove Boutiques
Ice Cove Boutiques
Runway Store by CLS Architetti Experiments With Chilly Design
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12
Deceiving Prison-Like Homes
Deceiving Prison-Like Homes
This House by Phyd Arquitectura in Moreira is a Captivating Creation
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11
Pristine Prismatic Buildings
Pristine Prismatic Buildings
The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Toys With Geometry
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10
Reflective Coliseum Structures
Reflective Coliseum Structures
The Ring Installation by Arnaud LaPierre and AUDI is Optically Bold
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9
Playful Portuguese Interiors
Playful Portuguese Interiors
The Remodeled 227 Flat by OODA Merges Acrobatics and Architecture
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8
Optical Illusion Interiors
Optical Illusion Interiors
The Bangkok University BU Lounge Pushes Perceptive Boundaries
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7
Escher-Inspired Lofts
Escher-Inspired Lofts
The Switch Box in House is a Mind Puzzling Space
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6
Real-Life Pixelation Art
Real-Life Pixelation Art
Stephane Malka Rue Sans Frontieres Installation is Truly Compelling
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5
Reflective Polyhedral Architecture
Reflective Polyhedral Architecture
Manifold Masses Explores the Contrast of Solid and Void
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4
Illusory Modern Architecture
Illusory Modern Architecture
House by Kouichi Kimura Architects is a Study in Depth
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3
Optical Illusion Walk-Throughs
Optical Illusion Walk-Throughs
The Trillusion Installation by Boris Banozic is Visually Intriguing
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2
Angular Stairway Stores
Angular Stairway Stores
The Design Collective Shop Features Geometric Elements
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1
Optical Illusion Structures
Optical Illusion Structures
The Reframe Art Installation Features Multiple Perspectives
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