Bizarre ‘pyramid-shaped’ building in China becomes internet sensation

Like a scene from a sci-fi film: Bizarre ‘pyramid-shaped’ building in China becomes an internet sensation

  • Mind-blowing residential building in Kunshan, China, has become a new trending topic online
  • Design inspiration of the quirky block of flats comes from Chinese terraced rice paddies
  • The 10-storey structure is a part of a complex which has two other buildings of a similar style
  • One resident said he liked living there because all homes come with a spacious balcony

A massive residential building in China has shot to fame for its quirky, pyramid-like shape.

The futuristic 18-storey structure is situated in Kunshan, a city near Shanghai, and has gathered great interest from the public for its unusual design.

An impressive drone video released by China News Service shows how flats stack one on top of another on a 45-degree angle as if they were made with Lego blocks.

 

Unusual: The quirky 10-storey building is located in Kunshan, China, and has become a trending topic among web users

Unique: Two sides of the building have a protruding and slanted surface while the other two are normal vertical walls

Unique: Two sides of the building have a protruding and slanted surface while the other two are normal vertical walls

Lego-like: Flats in the building stack one on top of another on a 45-degree angle as if they were made with toy blocks

Lego-like: Flats in the building stack one on top of another on a 45-degree angle as if they were made with toy blocks

Standing 100 metres (330 feet) tall, the bizarre yet popular building in Kunshan’s Huaqiao district is a part of a residential and commercial complex, which was completed in 2013 and has two other 12-storey structures.

All three buildings have a protruding and slanted surface on two sides, and from some angle the buildings look like pyramids. The other two exterior walls of each building are normal vertical ones.

Masters’ Architectural Office, the firm that designed the complex, told MailOnline that its architects were inspired by the traditional Chinese terraced rice fields, which are built into mountain slopes.

The Shanghai-based firm said it also took ideas from parkour, an urban activity which sees people running and jumping between buildings and is loved by young Chinese city dwellers. Apparently, the firm hopes the buildings would be associated with the trending and modern sport.

Not alone: Standing 100 metres tall, the bizarre yet popular building is a part of a residential and commercial complex

Not alone: Standing 100 metres tall, the bizarre yet popular building is a part of a residential and commercial complex

Altogether: The other two buildings have a similar architectural style and the three buildings share a central communal plaza

Altogether: The other two buildings have a similar architectural style and the three buildings share a central communal plaza

The futuristic 18-storey structure is situated in Kunshan, a stone's throw from Shanghai

It has gathered great interest from the public for its unusual design

Popular: The futuristic structure is situated in Kunshan and has gathered great interest from the public for its unusual design

One resident in the complex, known by his surname Huang, told China News Service the buildings’ unique design means each apartment comes with a big terrace and he liked the feature especially.

Mr Huang who lives in a third-floor flat said: ‘It is a special way of living. My friends often come to my house to hang out on the terrace. We would drink tea and relax.’  

The Chinese public have been intrigued by the building trio, with many web users suggesting that the complex could serve as the set of sci-fi films.

Others find the design mind-blowing. One such user posted on Twitter-like Weibo saying ‘I am a bit dizzy after looking at so many balconies’; while another wrote ‘I would get lost in the building’.

Spacious: One resident in the complex told China News Service that he especially likes the big balcony of the apartments

Spacious: One resident in the complex told China News Service that he especially likes the big balcony of the apartments

Web users suggest that the building complex could serve as the set of sci-fi films, and others say it seems hard to navigate

Web users suggest that the building complex could serve as the set of sci-fi films, and others say it seems hard to navigate

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