A Countdown of the World’s 15 Most Uniquely Designed Buildings — Shihpi’s Demolished “UFO Houses” Make the List Again

▲ The long-demolished Shihpi UFO houses can now only be recalled through old photographs. (Photo / from Wikipedia, the same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Shihpi “UFO houses” in New Taipei City, demolished as early as 2008, may have long faded from the memory of many Taiwanese, but in recent years they have been frequently mentioned by international media, becoming an unconventional source of pride for Taiwan and reigniting many people’s memories... The foreign website ESCAPE HERE recently selected 15 uniquely designed buildings around the globe, and the Shihpi UFO houses have made the list once again.

According to ESCAPE HERE,although the Shihpi UFO houses have been demolished, their unique architectural form still deserves a spot on the list.Built in 1978, the Shihpi UFO houses were originally planned as a resort for American troops, but construction was halted due to the developer’s financial difficulties, leaving behind a series of colorful, disc-shaped structures.

▲ Though the UFO houses are no longer there, their standout design has kept them in the spotlight in foreign media in recent years.

Over time, frequent reports of car accidents and suicides have given rise to numerous ghost stories. One theory suggests it’s because the original dragon-shaped sculpture was cut during the construction of the resort gate and road widening, while another claims the site was once a Dutch soldiers’ graveyard, thus cursed. But regardless of the speculations, the unique and outstanding architectural artistry of the UFO houses cannot be denied.

Here are the world’s 15 most uniquely designed buildings:

1. London, UK — Lloyd's Building

▲ Also known as the "Inside-Out Building" or the "Steel Monster," the Lloyd's Building is a Pritzker Prize-winning structure that has garnered praise, criticism, and awe in equal measure. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

2. Tokyo, Japan — Fuji TV Building

▲ The distinctive shape of the Fuji TV Building makes it one of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, with its massive sphere being the most eye-catching feature. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

3. Niagara Falls, Canada — Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum

▲ With branches all over the world, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum showcases a collection of oddities and supernatural tales. Whether you believe them or not? That’s totally up to you. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

4. Kansas City, Missouri, USA — Kansas City Public Library

▲ The Kansas City Public Library parking garage resembles a giant bookshelf, seemingly guiding people straight into a world of literature. (Photo / from ESCAPE HERE)

5. Da Lat, Vietnam — Crazy House

▲ Resembling a giant tree, the Crazy House, officially named “Hang Nga Guesthouse,” blends architectural elements of nature, fantasy, and surrealism, making it a popular attraction. (Photo / from strong)