7 Structures That Bend The Rules Of Interior Design

“The first rule about decorating is that you can break almost all the other rules.” — Billy Baldwin.
Design is art, comfort and dream, design is unconventional. Here we talk about people, who created an extraordinary piece of art and comfort that celebrates the interior design industry in an unusual way.

7 Unconventional Design Structures Around the World

Here are 7 such structures from around the world that quench our thirst for unconventional design and inspire us.

1. COMPACT CURLED WOOD HOUSE, England.

The adage, from a tiny spark, may burst a mighty flame is very apt for this wood house. This trivial fragment of a house is likely to grab some eyeballs. We are boasting about a compact ‘curled’ wood house located in London, designed by Platform 5 Architects.

The designer’s craft takes the shape of a Shoffice i.e a combination of ‘shed’ and ‘office’ cleverly designed as a garden feature giving the owner a peaceful workspace amidst the lush landscaping. That doesn’t restrict its potential as a little space for reading, relaxing, and entertaining guests or simply as an extension to the living space.

2. BLOB, Tokyo

Big things are fancy, but let us not undermine tiny spaces that afford us enough comfort and operation. Talking of size, we mention here BLOB, a 215 square feet home-office designed by dmA Architecten

The egg shaped structure, combines two modern facets of design- compactness and mobility. The micro home has 9 different layouts, created by opening and closing various doors and windows that allow the occupant to customize according to desired privacy and security. Serving as a full-time home, the structure comprises of campsite-style hook-ups for water and electricity.

With cautious attention to detail, the design renders compact bathroom behind a set of shelves, sleeping space within the shelving units and interior walls lined with curvi-linear shelves, dispensing enough storage area. The shelves are so designed to hold pretty much everything from books, quilts to grocery or clothing, exhibiting smart interior design ideas.

Well, the structure may seem cramped and small but Blob’s ability to open up to its surroundings prevents the space from being felt cramped or restricted.

3. TUBOHOTEL, Mexico.

How far does the quest for ‘eco-friendly’ take you? Of what use can a culvert be? Is comfort really expensive? The answer to these questions resides on the outskirts of Tepoztlan. With a view to build a hotel rapidly with less investment, came up Tubohotel designed by T3arc.

With a projection of 20 rooms, each one is constructed using recycled concrete pipes, pledging affordable comfort to tourist who seek to adore the panoramic view of the local mountain range.

Inside of the room is a queen size bed, with curtains providing some privacy, glass windows for natural light and a lamp for reading. Beddings and curtains are ivory to create a sense of open space and accent is added via bright tinted bed structure.

With rooms available at an affordable price of $43 USD (INR 2950 - approx) per night, this structure surely combines affordability and serenity without mistreating the environment.

4. FREE SPIRIT SPHERES, Canada.

The ‘Free Spirit Tree House’ meticulously designed by Canada based, Tom Chudleigh is an impact resistant tree house that can be hung from trees, buildings and rock faces.
Webbing and ropes anchor these spheres to their locations, with just four anchor points sufficient to carry the entire weight of the structure. Each sphere is handcrafted from fiberglass and a spiral staircase wound around the tree trunks enables the occupant to access the door.

The Interiors of this gorgeous wooden house is well thought of (considering the spherical shape) to ensure that comfort isn’t compromised. With a capacity to accommodate four people, each sphere is equipped with beddings, storage cabinets, water dispenser (aligned with the cabinets), and a small basin carefully placed in the center so as to maximize area, deploying what every interior design college teaches– space management.

They also host a dining space for two by the window and a reading lamp to halt the wanderer in us. Natural wood theme is followed throughout to maintain the sink with nature.
Since the clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness, sizable circular windows allow a panoramic view of the surroundings. To top it all, the house can be owned or rented.
Enticing much?

5. EARTH HOUSE, Switzerland.

Nestled in Dietikon, Switzerland, the houses by Petera Vetsch are a personification of ecological housing, invading the difficult terrains. The complex includes several houses, built below the ground with earth covering their arched roofs.

The interior design varies for different houses but what remains constant is a thorough all-white theme and freeform design. The chimneys, pillars, fireplace all portray an organic design with no straight lines or edges, but intentionally uneven handmade allure.

Skillful use of wood, glass and indoor plants compliment the ivory interiors and large windows ensure ample natural light. The houses are equipped with all modern fixtures, but tiny details like wood covered pillars, mosaic mirrors or rocks behind a contemporary bathtub, keep one closer to the nature.

All the homes comprise large living spaces with tiny lights embedded in the roof and an overall chic ambiance. Life under the ground makes it an exceptional experience, distinct from living in four walls with right angles.

6. CONCH SHELL HOUSE, Mexico.

As kids we’ve all been fascinated by the beauty of oceans and that joy of finding some unusual shells under water. But have you thought of living inside a shell? Taking a bath under shell fountain, or a sea snail lifestyle altogether?

Mexican architect Eduardo Ocampo designed and built one such masterpiece featuring 180-degree panoramic view of the crystal clear Caribbean Sea.

The building resembles a conch shell, not only on the outside but the inside as well.

Bathrooms have water flowing from faucets made out of shell, and shower made of conch. Similar is the headboard of master bed and an interesting shell-like chair adds to the quirk.
Doors, windows, furniture are all custom creations and blue-white concept is followed throughout.

Windows are made irregular and the main room is kept round to reinforce the theme. The building also embraces an interior spiral staircase- twinning the inside of a real shell. Such details talk of impressive interior design tips while working on theme based interiors for clients.

Inspired by the various shells found along the beaches of Isla Mujeres, the ‘Conch House’ is defiantly one of the most creative structures, providing the necessary comfort and aesthetic appeal to its residents.

7. LOW IMPACT WOODLAND HOUSE, UK

Simon Dale and his father-in-law had a vision of life as it is meant to be lived - in harmony with nature.

Mimicking the hobbit house from ‘Lords of the Rings’ evolved this dreamy low-impact woodland house sitting in the welsh hillside, almost hidden from view.

Spread over two floors, the house has a cozy living room and kids room on the ground, and master bedroom on the first floor. The roof is a framework of branches, stuffed with straw bales for super insulation. We can see split logs over the top and pallets on floor.

It hosts a staircase made with wood planks and branches acting as handrail and wood burner that help keep the indoors warm. Solar panels ensure electricity for lighting and computing.
Refraining from geometrical interior design, everything from windows, doors to chimney is kept round or improper to lend the space an organic feel that is in harmony with nature.

An all-wood interior aids easy maintenance and keeps the feel of woodland alive, a departure from the much modern houses in the UK.

Listed above, are only few of many structures that ignite the fire of unique interiors. The competent balancing of form and function leads to incredible design that speaks volumes about the designer’s sensibilities and skill. Such uncommon interior designing can be incorporated in curriculum of interior design colleges and interior design courses owing to their growing appeal and relevance.

PLAGIARISERS BEWARE!

This Website and its contents are subject to copyright protection under the Indian Copyright laws and, through international treaties for/ of other countries. The copyright in the contents and materials available on this Website as a whole is owned by the IIAD. However, the copyright in some contents and materials incorporated within this Website may be owned by third parties where so indicated. No part of the contents or materials available on this Website may be reproduced, licensed, sold, published, transmitted, modified, adapted, publicly displayed, broadcast (including storage in any medium by electronic means whether or not transiently for any purpose save as permitted herein) without the prior written permission of IIAD. The visitor may view this Website and its contents using Web browser and save an electronic copy, or print out a copy, of parts of this Website solely for visitor’s own information, research or study, provided the visitor (a) do not modify the copy from how it appears in this Website; and (b) include the copyright notice “© 2014 to 2018 Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD). All rights reserved.″ on such copy.

IIAD’s logo/ name should never be removed from pages on which they originally appear. The webpages should always appear exactly as posted without variation unless the prior written approval of the Organisation is obtained.