# Vase-Mimicking Buildings The Spherical Buildings in This Complex House a Museum and a Hotel By Ady Floyd | Published 2015-07-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spherical-buildings References: [retaildesignblog.net](http://retaildesignblog.net/2015/07/26/ceramic-museum-by-archea-associati-liling-china/) & [archea.it](http://www.archea.it/en/) Italian company [Archea Associati](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/md41) created this massive collection of [vase-like spherical buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-ballroom) in Liling, China. The buildings are created to look like vases or ceramic bowls, but they are also fully functioning structures that are home to a museum as well as a hotel. The sculptural buildings are designed to reflect the town of Liling's [rich history of producing ceramics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earthenware-house). Each unique building has smooth edges and resembles a ceramic cup, vase or bowl. These buildings challenge the traditional rectangular shapes seen throughout modern cityscapes. Each of the curved buildings features an interesting and different color. Some of the buildings are bright yellow or orange while others are simply off-white. When night falls, the buildings are lit up from the base and from the circular perimeter of the roof. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Sculptural Architecture:** The trend of designing buildings in unique shapes and forms, challenging traditional rectangular structures. - **Ceramic-inspired Design:** The trend of incorporating ceramic themes and aesthetics into architectural designs. - **Colorful Building Designs:** The trend of using vibrant and contrasting colors in architectural designs. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture:** Architects can explore innovative designs that break away from traditional rectangular structures. - **Ceramics:** Ceramic companies can collaborate with architects to create unique structures inspired by their products. - **Lighting Design:** Lighting designers can create captivating lighting schemes that enhance the appearance of colorful buildings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Stackable Clay Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/torre-vases.md) - [Tile-Cladded Chinese Clay Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ucca-clay-museum.md) - [Fly Saucer-Shaped Structural Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-never-hut.md) - [Tea-Honoring Angular Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atelier-xi-2.md) - [Vaulted Pink Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/babel-housing-mexico.md) - [Arched Garden-Topped Cultural Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hengqin-culture-and-art-complex.md) - [Architectural Pottery Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bat-trang.md) - [Color-Shifting Art Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-quartet-songzhuang-z-museum.md) - [Landscape-Concealed Cultural Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chaohu-natural-and-cultural-centre.md)