These reflective buildings use materials that simply mirror their surroundings. The results are structures that take on the characteristics of whatever is around them. These buildings attract the eyes of those who walk by, who can actually see themselves in the reflective walls.
These buildings can be found in both urban and rural settings, and the differing settings produce wildly contrasting results. While a reflective building on the top of a remote mountain will take on the pristine skies that hover above it, a reflective building in a urban setting has constantly changing lights, peoples and events happening all around it.
These reflective buildings are a special type of architecture, because they show viewers what is all around them from a different perspective. Being such a unique form of architecture, I think every city should have at least one building like these.
24 Ridiculously Reflective Buildings
From Pristine Prismatic Buildings to Sharp Mirrored Interiors:
Trenton Millar — Nov 17, 2012 — Art & Design
24
Sharp Mirrored Interiors
This Berlin Penthouse by Lecarolimited is Lined with Abstract Luster
23
Bizarre Themed Hotel Rooms
Sleep in Coffins and Lion Cages At Berlin's Propeller Island
22
Creatively Camouflaged Spaces
'Pavilion for an Artist' Blends into the Natural Environment
21
Magnificent Mirror Image Abodes
These Twin Houses by William O'Brian Jr. Are Minimalist and Modern
20
Reflective Funhouse Facades
Mirror House by MLRP Features a Playful Exterior
19
Glass Courtyard Cafes
Dan Graham's Cafe Bravo in Berlin Mixes Past & Present
18
Reflective Polyhedral Architecture
Manifold Masses Explores the Contrast of Solid and Void
17
Fragmented Glass Facades
The Cluj-Napoca Art Center Breaks Down the Architectural Norm
16
Bulbous Rooftop Installations
Artist Tomas Saraceno's Met Exhibit is Curved
15
Mirrored Medical Buildings
Parkpraxis by X Architekten Blends into Its Natural Surroundings
14
Mirrored Limestone Extenstions
The House at Goleen by Niall McLaughlin Architects Extends Hillside
13
Reflective Coliseum Structures
The Ring Installation by Arnaud LaPierre and AUDI is Optically Bold
12
Pristine Prismatic Buildings
The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Toys With Geometry
11
Sculptural Windowed Homes
The Bierings House by Rocha Tombal Architects has a Scenic View
10
Mythical Reflective Structures
'The Stone' is Inspired by the Legend of King Arthur
9
Remote Seaside Offices
The Long Studio by Saunders Architecture Merges with the Rocky Landscape
8
Mirrored Alpine Dining
The Knoll Ridge Cafe by Harris Butt Architecture is Magestic
7
Infinitely Mirrored Installations
'The Phoenix Is Closer Than It Appears' Exhibit is Surreal
6
Reflective Cubed Art
Arnaud Lapierre Designs a Cubic Mirror Installation in Place Vendome
5
Mirrored Multistory Structures
The 'Taichung Tower' is a Monumental Manifestation of the Sky
4
Mirrored Work Spaces
The No Picnic Office Looks Like an Open Dance Studio
3
Human Hibernation Pods
‘The Alpine Capsule' Mimics a Giant Drop of Mercury
2
Reflective Surface Residences
The Mirror House by Ekkehard Alteburger is Narcissistic
1
Complexly Pixelated Campuses
The RMIT Swanston Building by Lyons Energizes Students with Color
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Suspended Reflective Platforms
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Ice Crystal Cabins
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Fantastically Folded Architecture
The Jameson House Mixes the Old with the New
Sharply Swirling Abodes
The ‘Mop House' by AGi Architects is Full of Lines and Curves
Conch-Shaped Abodes
ToTeMs Architecture Creates a Cozy Guest House Without Destroying Trees
Manipulated Self-Portrait Memes
The Photoshop iPhone Meme Will Make You Laugh Out Loud
Cling Wrap Exhibits
Tomas Saracino's 'On Space Time Foam' Includes Clear Sheets of Film
Drastically Narrow Dwellings (UPDATE)
The Keret House by Jakub Szczesny Occupies a Sliver of Space
Time Warp Architecture
The Hend Almatrouk Pushkinsky Cinema Harkens to the Site's History
Chimera Capsule Architecture
'A Room for London' by Sanzpont Embraces the City's Seasons
Paper-Thin Architecture Captures
Xavier Delory's Urban Forms Series Critiques Modern Buildings
Carchitecture Structures
Leger Wanaselja Car Part Home Used Over 100 Vehicle Scraps
Chopped Block Architecture
Musee Cantonal des Beaux-Arts Takes an Axed Appearance
Cellular Megastructures
The Beijing National Hotel Breeds Natural Life Within
Tilted Cargo Crate Construction
ECORRE Complex Revolutionizes Recycled Building
Theatrical Civic Architecture
The Pushkinsky Urban Cinema Puts on a Show for Passers-By
Pvc Performance Art
Victorine Muller Stands Within Her Clear Structures
Modern Nature-Inspired Furniture
The Egg Collective Won ICFF's Best New Designer Award
Stilted Cabin Retreats
Endemico Resguardo Silvestre is Environmentally Conscious and Luxurious
Multi-Faceted Hillside Homes
The Casa Playa Las Lomas I-05 is a Designer's Dream
Retro Arcade Art Installations
The 3D Ms. Pac-Man Display is Interactive and Fun
Stacked School Structures
The Basque Culinary Center is Simple Outside and Spicy Inside
Donut-Shaped Architecture
The GSI Tower is a Unique 20-Story Structure in Mexico
Interactive Interface Installations
The Principals Wave Dilfert Engages Through Fluidity of Motion
Manipulated Ad Art
Shin Il Kim Encourages New Perceptions by Reinterpreting Television Commercials
Wood-Clad Angular Abodes
The Stereoscopic House by Pencil Office Features Sharp Accents
Snaking Staircase Architecture
Ten Arquitectos' Eco-Friendly Mercedes House is Uniquely Tier
Climbing Vine Condominiums
The Graft Tower is a Living Structure to Support Life
Sparkling Umbrella Installations
Anna Meister Creates a Starry Canopy for Vivid Sydney
Multifaceted Magenta Structures
The Parramatta Art Center is a Massive Pink Diamond
Unaligned Unconventional Lodgings
Cocoon Suites Twist to Typical Hotel Rooms
Conch Shell Architecture
3rd Place Long Island Cinema Incorporates Snail-Like Circulation
Scaly Serpentine Architecture
The Parabol Maribor Gallery Ties in a Diverse Public Program
Giant Pencil Crayon Installations
Reverse City by Pascale Marthine Tayou Depicts a Colorful World
Fantastic Foamy Art
Cloud City by Tomas Saraceno is a Hybrid World for Spiders and People
Oceanic Video Installations
The 1 of 18 Made by Humans Video Loop is Magical
Snow Shelter Resorts
The POD Hotel by Robust Outdoor Brands is Comfy and Compact
Interactive Thunderstorm Installations
The Symphony in D Minor Exhibit Simulates Rough Weather
Curvaceous Window Architecture
The Schlump One Hamburg by J. Mayer H. Modernizes the Cityscape
Reflective Funhouse Facades
Mirror House by MLRP Features a Playful Exterior
Elegant Spiraling Abodes
Toda House by Kimihiko Okada Rests on Stilts
Whimsical Balloon Installations
The William Forsythe 'Scattered Crowd' Exhibit is Breathtaking
Triangular Seaside Abodes
Squish Studio by Saunders Architecture is Geometric
Spiraling Shingle Architecture
The Paviljoen Puur by Emma Architecten Towers with Wooden Wonder
Spectacular Sliding Houses
The Brian Mackay-Lyons Designed 'Sliding House' is a Sight to Behold
Braille-Wrapped Buildings
The Placebo Pharmacy by KLab Caters to All Health Needs
Cutout Cube Superstructures
The S.Deer Headquarters in Nanjing by Prechteck is Boxy
Futuristic Fixed Link Casinos
Vertical Strip Adds New Dimension to Gambling Establishments
Seawater-Powered Speedboats
The Luxury MIG675 is Powered by Hydrogen Drawn from the Ocean
Intricate Salt Installations (UPDATE)
Motoi Yamamoto's 'Return to the Sea: Saltworks' is Stunning
Fragmented Glass Facades
The Cluj-Napoca Art Center Breaks Down the Architectural Norm
Psychedelic Spiky Structures
The Busan 360 Concept Embodies a Porcupine Profile
Parted Blind Buildings
The Nebuta House by Molo Design is a Giant Paper Lantern
Modernized Strand-Board Abodes
The Carl Turner British Barn is a Perfect Combo of Country and Chic
Comfy Tumbling Structures
The 'White Elephant (Privately Soft)' Has a Soft Cowhide Interior
Bulbous Rooftop Installations
Artist Tomas Saraceno's Met Exhibit is Curved
Mirror Island Photography
Gustav Willeit Uses Parallels to Capture the Allure of Remote Locations
Light Mimicking Structures
The Sun Shadow Pavilion by Michael Jantzen is Solar-Powered
Circular Masonry Installations
Stone Gate by Raffaello Galiotto Explores Mass, Weight and Gravity
Glass Box Abodes
Amsterdam's Rieteiland House Leaves Little Privacy for Its Inhabitants
Beautiful Constellation Beacons
The 'Infmetry' DIY Romantic Star Projector Sets the Celestial Mood
Mini Mountainous Sculptures
Networktopia by Kim Harty is Made Out of Hot Strands of Glass
Stacked Geometric Homes
The Gordons Bay House by Rosselli Architects is Shapely
Carved Concrete Ceilings
The Casa Do Conto Hotel is Inspired by Two Different Centuries
Hidden Hand Paintings
Guido Daniele Turns Five Fingers into Animals and Architecture
Modular Mural Treatments
The Riveli Shelving System Offers a Space for Art and Storage
Iconic Industrial Tables
Flab by Kenyon Yeh Copies Traditional Carving with Powder Coated Steel
Stacked Shirt Shops
The Uniqlo Ginza by Wonderwall Inc. Highlights Transparent Design
Jagged Office Buildings
The Jansen Campus by Davide Macullo Architects Has a Dark Regality
Interactive Concert Installations
Weave Art into Music with The Principals 'Hammertone'
Minimalist Architecture Photography
Nonspace by Emily Grundon is Serene and Meditative
Stacked Literature Installations
The Biografias VI by Alicia Martín Sculpture Embraces Knowle
Lotus-Inspired Skyscrapers
‘City in the Sky’ by Megatropolis Resembles Blooming Flower
LED-Lit Sculptures
Monica Bonvincini Debuts the 'RUN' Sculpture for the 2012 London Olympics
Undulating Pixelated Buildings
Hangzhou Waves Boast Mirrored Office and Hotel Structures
Radiating Ramp Installations
The Koo Jeong-A Glow in the Dark Skate Park is Mesmerizing
Yarn-Tied Shoe Installations
The Chiharu Shiota 'Breath Of The Spirit' Has Sole
Interactive Light Installations
'Light Form' Interactive Landscape by Mathieu Rivier is Riveting
Crooked Helix Theaters
1st Place Long Island Cinema Makes You Famous for Five Seconds
Golden Undulated Galleries
The Islamic Art Galleries at the Louvre Museum are Covered in Curves
Playful Landmark Prints
These Citius Travel Solutions Ads Make Tourism Fun for Tots
Twisted Jenga Apartments
The Writhing Tower is a Sky Condominium Designed by LYCS Architects
Edgy Alpine Outerwear
The Yoshio Kubo Fall 2012 Collection is Winter-Ready
Remote Seaside Offices
The Long Studio by Saunders Architecture Merges with the Rocky Landscape
Cheerful Rainbow Installations
'FriendsWithYou' Unveil 'Happy Rainbow' in Hong Kong
Breathtaking Cube Constructions
La Liberté in Groningen, The Netherlands Could Not be More Bo
Transparent Teepee Abodes
House Tokyo by A.L.X. Architects Features Distinctive Lighting Effects
Aerial Rorschach Editorials
The Igor Oussenko 'Kaleidoscope' Series Ropes in the Mystery Charm
Colossal Concrete Structures
J. Mayer H. Architects Turns Rest Stops into Art Sculptures
Prismatic Parasol Installations
Patricia Almeida Photographs Colorful Umbrellas Adorning Streets
Undulating Metal Installations
Draper by Rob Ley Passes Through Five Floors of a Building
Energy-Replacing Eco Abodes
This Piece from the ‘Belgravia Green House' Project is Ima
Commemorative Upside-Down Architecture
Martin Papcun & Atelier SAD Design Memorial in Munich
Smart Glass Surfaces
Materials Manufacturer Corning Delivers a Startling Promise for Future Tech
Mega-Domed Islands
The Havvada Island by Dror Benshetrit is Structural Marvel
Patriotic Retail Installations
The Nike Store Gets Outfitted with American Flag Olympic Art
Prismatic Data Visualization Art
The Keiichi Matsuda Prism Displays Information About London
Outdoor-Integrated Institutions
The Culver City Middle School Introduces Interiors to the Exterior
Circular Glass Abodes
The Cloud House by Axis Mundi Has the Ultimate View of Nature
Hill-Hugging Geometric Havens
The Viewpoint House by 2 8x Arquitectos is Captivating
Dualistic Double-Faced Abodes
Dental Office by Estudio Arquitectura Hago Makes Dental Trips Easy
Cubed Ivory HillsideTowers
The Mountain Cabin by Marte Marte Architecture is the Perfect Retreat
Geothermal-Powered Architecture
Netanya City Hall by Yaniv Pardo is Futuristic
3D-Printed Cave Constructions
The ProtoHouse by Softkill Design
Color-Blocked Balloons Decals
Penique Productions Covers Spaces With Vibrant Wallpapers
Door-Designed Buildings
Choi Jeong-Hwa's10-Story Structure is Made Entirely Out of Entrances
Scorching Trash Installations
The Luzinterruptus 'Plastic Garbage Guarding the Museum' is Bold
Jigsaw Tower Installations
The Marble Curtain by Jeanne Gang is Made Out of 620 Slabs of Stone
Irregularly Stacked Buildings
The Thandalam Project by ABIBOO Architecture is Stunning
Luxe Alpine Runways
The Moncler Gammer Rouge Fall 2012 Collection is Snow-Bound
Serene All-White Abodes
The Light Stage House in Japan Offers a Peaceful Escape
Retro Alpine Editorials
The Benny Ernst Class Magazine Shoot is Luxe and Lavish
Saltire-Shaped Laboratories
The Biosciences Research Building by Lyons Boasts Compiled Complexity
Outdoor Block Installations
The Brick Garden by Pearce Brinkley Cease & Lee is Orderly Geometric
Alpine Trek Photography
'The Great Expedition' Series Tracks a French Expedition
Concaved Cube Concept Designs
This Architecture from Steven Holl is Balanced and Elegant
Reflective Mirror Installations
Graham Caldwell Creates Introspective Glass-Based Structures
Alpine Eyewear Advertorials
The MYKITA x MONCLER Collection is Ready for the Outdoors
Sky Changing Light Shows
James Turrell 'Twilight Epiphany' Complements the Sun's Patterns
Alpine Athlete Spy Goggles
Recon MOD Live Goggles Pair with Android at CES 2012
Translucent Human Structures
Tide by Matthias Geiger Traces People Through Time
Mountain-Mimicking Buildings
The Gullesfjord Weight Control Station Lies in an Untouched Park
Intricately Joined Seats
The Mimicry Chairs by Nendo Boasts a Simplistic Aesthetic
Sci-Fi Government Buildings
The Giorgia House of Justice is Intimidating and Furtuistic
Mesh Entwined Facades
The Woven Portico by Nicolas Feldmeyer is a Beautiful Display
Ghostly Haunted Mirrors
Sandy Ervin Ups the Creep Factor Through the Looking Glass
Ghostly Looking Reflectors
The Haunted Halloween Mirror Houses a Trapped Spirit
Mirrored Flower Holders
The Limited Edition Vase-Vase is Minimalist and Deceptive
Abstract Metal-Looking Reflectors
The Copper Mirrors are Made for Jersey Shore Natives
Webbed Trotter Reflectors
The Duck-Footed Mirror is a Waddling Wardrobe Accessory