From Taiwan's shoe church to a house fit for Dr Seuss: 10 of the world's wackiest buildings

A religious group in Taiwan trying to attract female members into its congregation have designed a dazzling glass structure to look like a high heeled shoe.

The giant structure, made from 320 pieces of blue glass, stands at 17 metres high and 11 metres wide, took two months to build and is expected to open by February 8.

Southwest Coast National Scenic Area spokesman Zheng Rongfeng told local media the church would also include 100 "female-oriented" features including chairs for "lovers", biscuits and cake.

But this is not the only weird and wonderful building in the world - here are 10 of the best quirky structures from around the globe.

  • The Piano House, Anhui, China

An escalator is in the violin entrance and the piano roof serves as a canopy for the roof garden. Credit: unusualplaces.org

This unusual Piano and Violin design was built in 2007 is a showroom for exhibiting plans for new architectural projects in the area.

The transparent violin has an escalator taking visitors into the piano building. The lid of the piano serves as a canopy for the roof terrace.

At night, the body of the building lights up with giant neon lights.

The Piano House at night. Credit: Burnblog

  • Longaberger Headquarters, Newark, Ohio, USA

The building displays the company's proud basket-making legacy. Credit: The Longaberger headquarters

The basket-making company Langaberger decided to display its wares when designing its headquarters. The unique building shaped into a giant basket shows off the American company's proud legacy with nearly 100 years making baskets and other accessories.

The handles of the basket are heated to prevent ice forming and preserve the unusual structure.

  • Kansas City Library, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Some 22 giant books run along the south wall of the library's car park. Credit: Creative Commons

There can be no doubting what this building is. The giant Community Bookshelf runs along the south wall of the Kansas City Library parking garage. The book spines measure approximately 25ft by 9ft and it showcases 22 titles suggested by citizens and include Plato and Joseph Heller's Catch 22.

  • Krzywy Domek, Sopot, Poland

It may look odd but for the people who use the building it is just another day at the office. Credit: Creative Commons

Despite its wacky appearance, the Krzwy Domek - meaning the Crooked House - is just a regular office for some. Different businesses use the building including beauty salons, doctors and shops.

The architects were inspired by drawings by Jan Marcin Szancer.

  • Kugelmugel, Vienna, Austria

The designer of the building declared it independent from Austrian laws and regulations. Credit: Creative Commons

The perfectly spherical Kugelmugel ('Spherebump'), designed by Austrian artist Edwin Lipburger, not only looks unusual but has a unique history. In 1984 it declared independence after the artist got into a dispute with Austrian authorities over building permits. The artist claimed that as the building had its own centre point - independent from the geocentre, it is free from laws and regulations.

It is enclosed by a barbed wire fence and its full address is on "Anti-Facism Square". Lipberger refused to pay taxes and even started printing his own stamps which almost sent him to prison.

  • Dr Seuss House, Willow, Alaska

It's locally named after the children's author Dr Seuss due to its higgledy piggledy design. The original owner worked on it extensively for 10 years before he died and it sat abandoned for another 10 years.

The story is that the original owner built it after a forest fire and as time progressed added a higher level as his view was impeded.

  • Dog Bark Park, Cottonwood, Idaho, USA

The master bedroom of this hotel is in the dog's sternum. Credit: Erin_pass/Flickr

If you'd ever dreamt of staying the night in a dog's sternum, the B&B Dog Bark Park Inn might be for you. The two beagles Sweet Willy and Toby are most likely the world’s weirdest hotel.

All the furniture and interiors are made by the owners Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin who charge visitors $92 for a stay in the master bedroom, the dog's sternum, including breakfast.

  • Happy Rizzi House, Brunswick, Germany

This cartoon-style house is named after the artist James Rizzi. Credit: unusualplaces.org

This quirky graffiti-style building has to be one of the wackiest in the world.

Happy Rizzi House, was named after artist James Rizzi, who painted the house in this unusual cartoon-style.

Built in 2001 on the site of a ruined ducal residence, the idea was to build something unusual and save the old buildings and has grown into being a major tourist attraction.

  • Kubuswoningen (Cubic houses), Rotterdam and Helmond, Netherlands

The houses were built at a 45 degree angle. Credit: vpzone

Built in the 1970s by architect Piet Blom, these astonishing Cubic Houses tilted at 45 degrees are placed in pedestrian areas in Rotterdam and Helmond.

The concept was of "living as an urban roof" with high density housing giving enough space on ground.

  • National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderbad, India

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in India. Credit: unusualplaces.org

Opened in 2012, this building is home to the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) which promotes fisheries in India. The left pectoral fin doubles as an awning at the main entrance and at night, blue-purple spotlights give the impression it is underwater.