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Around the wo​​rld there are plenty of unique homes that stand out from the crowd, but have you ever seen a property that plays tricks with your mind? From hovering homes floating above the ground, to mirror homes hiding in plain sight, these optical illusion properties will really make you stop and stare. Leave your expectations at the door and prepare to be amazed by buildings that are not all they seem...
The Illusion Villa, Trensum, Sweden
Making the most of its spectacular surroundings, The Illusion Villa can be found inside Eriksberg Nature Reserve in Trensum, Sweden. Considered to be the largest game reserve in the Nordic region, the beautiful natural landscape spans 2,200 acres and is home to wild red deer, European bison and even wild boar. From an elevated position inside the villa, you can witness these stunning creatures as they roam freely beneath the house.
The futuristic cabin was designed by architect Thomas Sandell and is a contemporary take on the traditional Swedish homes found in the south of the country. Raised almost 10 feet off the ground on stilt-like legs, the amazing holiday home is clad entirely in polished metal panels, which softly reflect the surrounding landscape. Also known as SynVillan, the mirrored dwelling melts into its plot, allowing lucky guests to observe the native animals that live in the park.
Offering 538 square feet of inside space, the unique tiny home boasts a quaint thatched roof and floor-to-ceiling picture windows that frame the view. Inside, the hut is warm and light-filled, with amazing statement ceilings in every room. There's an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining, and even a glass floor where animals can be witnessed grazing below your feet. We think we might be in love...
Vineyard House, Santorini, Greece
Nestled within a landscape of volcanic rock and vines, this incredible contemporary home, planned for a site on the Greek island of Santorini, appears to hover above its rural surroundings. Designed by Kapsimalis Architecture, the ground floor is clad in mirrored panels, reflecting the earthy terrain.
Depicted by Antonis Tzortzis, the proposed property features a striking rammed earth roof that pays homage to the volcanic rock landscape. To the east of the property, an elongated swimming pool amplifies the feeling of weightlessness, reflecting the blue of the sky, which is also seen across the façade of the magnificent mirrored home.
The modern interior offers open neutral living spaces with plenty of natural texture, from rustic wood cladding to exposed plasterwork. Roof lights channel light down into the rooms, while swathes of glass walls draw the spectacular vistas inside.
The Pole House, Victoria, Australia
Suspended 130 feet above Fairhaven Beach in Victoria, this spectacular home in Australia takes illusions to a whole new level. Thought to be the most photographed house on the famous Great Ocean Road, the property is supported by a single pole, resulting in the structure seemingly floating above the waves.
Recently renovated into a luxurious suite, the stand-out dwelling features a spacious living area, dining zone, bedroom and bathroom. Even though the front of the house is open to the ocean, the two walls facing the hillside are solid, providing complete privacy.
Swathes of windows frame the spectacular views for the ocean-view home, while a contemporary fireplace keeps things cosy come the winter. The best bit? From the balcony, you can glimpse 30 miles of uninterrupted coastline. If you've got a head for heights, the Pole House is available to rent for holidays down under.
Mirage house, California, USA
Located in California's Coachella Valley, the Mirage house is a model of a classic American ranch, but has a twist as it's clad completely in mirrors, inside and out. Designed by artist Doug Atiken, the stunning building disappears into its arid surroundings due to its reflective exterior.
Inside, the reflective surfaces create a kaleidoscopic effect which is designed to make viewers confused rather than comfortable. Without secure doors, the installation was open to explorers until it was removed in October 2017.
Mirage house, Gstaad, Switzerland
In February 2019, a similar home was erected in Gstaad, Switzerland by Doug Aitken. Also clad top to bottom in mirrors, it reflects the surrounding landscape and disappears into it with the changing seasons.
Izabelin House, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Designed by Reform Architekt, this sleek, modernist house plays a trick on the senses. From a distance, the structure, which is found in the woodlands of Poland's Masovian Voivodeship, resembles a white shell with a hollow center. On further inspection, however, all is not as it seems...
Comprising mirrored cladding, the surreal structure harbors a contemporary three-bedroom house behind its covert façade. Designed by architect Marcin Tomaszewski, the incredible property seems to hang suspended amongst the dense woodland.
The perfect forest retreat, the house is split across two levels, although from a distance, the bottom floor seems to disappear into the natural landscape. Inside, the home is no less spectacular, with sleek streamlined living spaces and a concealed garage.
ÖÖD house, Tallinn, Estonia
Fancy building your own optical illusion house? Clad in mirrored glass, this tiny pre-fab home blends into its environment, no matter where you decide to put down roots. Called the ÖÖD house, the clever shiny façade reflects its surroundings, allowing the structure to melt seamlessly into the landscape.
Designed and manufactured in Estonia, the unique prefabricated property takes just eight hours to assemble on-site. Amazingly the innovative design manages to fit every modern living essential into its snug 200-square-foot interior.
Offering a studio layout encompassing a bedroom zone, kitchenette and bathroom, the interior wows with swathes of glass and stylish timber flooring. Heated floors, LED lighting and a Bose sound system ensure the space isn't short of luxurious home comforts either.
Lake Cottage, Ontario, Canada
Nestled in the woodlands of Ontario, this dazzling mirrored home by UUfie architects looks like a mirage at first glance. Blurring the line between architecture and nature, the façade draws the rural landscape inside, creating the illusion of secondary forest sheltering within the structure.
A deep undercut in the contemporary A-frame building creates a dramatic cantilevered overhang which has been clad in mirrored panels. From a distance, the black charred cedar structure appears to float amongst the trees, elevating the two-story cottage into something entirely otherworldly.
Inside, the living area is airy and open, offering a series of connected spaces unified by the same soft pink plasterwork. Behind the mirrored exterior, large windows and skylights allow natural light to filter through the cottage during the day, with dramatic black leaded frames reflecting the silhouettes of the surrounding trees.
Casa Invisibile, International
A dramatic home that plays tricks on the eye doesn't have to cost the earth. Aptly named Casa Invisible, this property designed by DMAA and photographed by Christian Brandstaetter, is an affordable prefabricated housing unit designed to fit an array of different terrains.
Clad in a stunning mirrored exterior, Casa Invisible blends sensitively into its surrounding environment without obstructing the landscape. Available with add-on modules for a customizable layout, the structure is made from timber, reducing the cost of production. Including interior furnishings, this model was produced for the bargain cost of $128k.
Measuring 484 square feet, the cozy property can be easily transported to its plot by lorry. Inside, the Scandi-style interior is clad in beautiful light wood, while swathes of glass flood the stylish living area with light.
The Mirrorcube, Harads, Sweden
Hidden among the trees in the Swedish wilderness, this nearly-invisible treehouse blends in amongst the forest canopy. Part of the Treehotel in Harads, northern Sweden, the pocket-sized property has just enough space to accommodate two guests.
Accessed by a rope bridge, the mirrored structure reflects the surrounding woodlands and sky to stunning effect, while six internal windows allow residents to admire the views from inside the amazing treehouse.
Measuring a snug 172 square feet, the interior features a double bed, toilet and seating area. Anchoring the one-room space, a tree trunk grows through the center of the living area, while behind the mirrored façade, a hidden balcony allows guests to enter the box without being seen.
Mirage House, Tinos, Greece
Equally as covert, this futuristic house on the dreamy Greek island of Tinos is virtually imperceptible to passersby. Blending in with the tranquil ocean, the clifftop infinity pool cleverly shelters a luxurious house...
Designed by Kois Associated Architects, the house was built as an invisible oasis, obscured even from the sky. Part of the property is buried in the rocky landscape, while the pool acts as a mirror, reflecting the sky and camouflaging the structure.
Decked out in white and light wood tones, a large coastal-inspired living area sits open to the elements at the front of the secretive dwelling, allowing a cool sea breeze to flow through the space. Talk about a room with a jaw-dropping view!
Mirror Houses, South Tyrol, Italy
Located just outside the Italian city of Bolzano, the Mirror Houses are a pair of stunning properties set amongst the beautiful surroundings of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Holding a mirror up to their stunning rural setting, the reflective duo are nothing short of spectacular.
Situated side by side, the structures were designed by local architect Peter Pichler. With the western façades clad in UV-coated mirrored glass, the properties become a part of the alpine terrain, with the interiors only revealed from the eastern aspect.
Inside, the accommodation is crisp and clean, offering an open-plan kitchen and living room, bedroom and bathroom, plus cantilevered terraces for soaking up the scenery. Although the properties are not for sale, you can call these architectural marvels home for a night or two as they're currently available to rent.
Alex Chinneck's op art houses, Kent, UK
At first glance, this street in the English seaside town of Margate looks pretty unassuming, until you notice the curved brick house whose façade appears to be sliding off. The building had been derelict for 11 years when British artist Alex Chinneck used it for this innovative project entitled From the Knees of My Nose to the Belly of My Toes in 2013.
In 2018, this derelict office building in Kent received a rather unexpected makeover. Scheduled for demolition, Alex created a striking installation called Open to the Public, affixing a double zip down the centre of the structure. Partially unzipped, the walls of the top storey seem to fall away from the building, revealing the office interior.
Alex Chinneck's op art houses, Milan, Italy
To mark 2019's Milan Design Week, Alex took his playful aesthetic to the streets of the iconic Italian city, with a project known as A Sprinkle of Night and a Spoonful of Light. Featuring a larger-than-life zip seemingly secured to the brickwork of a traditional Milanese building, the façade appears to peel away from the structure, offering a whimsical reimagining of the city's historic architecture.
**Post by loveproperty.com 4/2021
