Structures That Do Not Obey the Laws of Gravity

The stability of a structure is key in architecture. Though architects place much emphasis on aesthetics, the structures they design must remain upright. Some designers push the envelope, apparently challenging Newton's universal law of gravity, to create stunning structures that seem to defy reason. The structures you will read here will make you stop and wonder; whether it's because they lean too far to the left, balance on what appear to be chopsticks, hang precariously over the ground with no real obvious means of support, or are just plain weird. Here are five of these gravity-defying buildings.\r \r 1. Takasugi-an (Tea House on the Tree)\r \r Takasugi-an, translated to “a tea house built too high,” was designed by architect Terunobu Fujimori in Chino, Japan. Two large chestnut trees that were transported to the location from a neighboring mountain support the tea house. One must ascend a free-standing ladder that rests against the entrance of the woods in order to gain access. This structure is a single room that is high above the nearby trees and visitors get a different perspective on nature from up there. Though it may intimidate someone looking up from below, this house was designed and built to withstand the earthquakes and storms that are experienced in Japan.\r \r 2. The Balancing Barn\r \r The Balancing Barn, which was designed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV, is located in Suffolk, United Kingdom. Half of it appears to be on the ground, and the other half is poised precariously over a hillside, supported only by a thin beam. It is furnished with a swing suspended from underneath it. This cantilevered rental house is clad in reflective steel tiles that make it resemble Lego blocks. The Balancing Barn is quite comfortable and has a modern interior.\r \r 3. The Dancing House\r \r The Dancing House, a deconstructivist-style building in Prague, the Czech Republic, is credited as drawing inspiration from Hollywood dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This building was designed by two architects, Vladov Milunić and Frank Gehry and was completed in 1996. The structure shows a male and female structure dancing together. This non-traditional design stands out among the baroque and gothic buildings for which Prague is well known. With its bends and twists, the Dancing House depicts a form of movement that genuinely seems to defy gravity. It is unfortunate that this extraordinary structure is utilized for an ordinary purpose, that being, office space.\r \r 4. The Museum of Tomorrow\r \r The Museum of Tomorrow is a science museum located in Rio de Janeriro, Brazil. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and has a neofuturistic architectural style. It features clean lines and circles as well as a neutral color palette. The gravity-defying structure leans out over the water and resembles the tail of an exotic bird flapping in the wind. It was designed with the future in mind and therefore incorporates forward-thinking aspects such as solar panels, recycled water and rainwater collection.\r \r 5. Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank (Headquarters)\r \r The headquarters of Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank located at the northern edge of Udine, Italy, was designed by three talented architects in 2004 and was built in 2006. This breathtaking structure is made up of a number of intricately braided parts that come together. The building is made to look like it is leaning. All of the building's columns remain entirely vertical, despite the structure's fourteen-degree southward tilt. This building makes a magnificent view and given the dramatic tilt, the upper floors shade the lower floors.\r \r