Sanzhi UFO Houses, Taiwan

[Electro_suze]

Anyone been here?

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...3DWyy%26sa%3DG

[jakartajive]

Only in my mind, Suze.
Only in my mind.



It was great.

[ginghamkitchen]

Only in my mind, Suze.
Only in my mind.



It was great.

I'm there now - in my mind.

It's raining and there's some dried blood in the sink.

I'm back in Doncaster now. That's better.

[Electro_suze]

I may have to make it my mission in life to see these before they knock them down. Very bizarre...

[TOWNY]

Wow, they are incredible !

UFO

[Rich Hero]

Wow, I missed those on the mailout! But I was already idly thinking of a trip to the Czech Republic.

[ginghamkitchen]

But I was already idly thinking of a trip to the Czech Republic.

I've been four or five times over the last 18 years, Rich. I love it there - and the people are great.

[john stapleton]

I was already idly thinking of a trip to the Czech Republic.

It was in the Guardian a couple of weekends back - it's amazing, isn't it?

I'm sure there must be a Wallpaper* piece on it somewhere!

[Col Wolfe]

have to say I'm not much of a fan of these buildings

would like to see plans of the inside before I can conclude my feelings

I get the sense that it's only one pod per abode, which make them pretty small?

has anyone seen any plans of the inside? have had a search but no luck

was discussing the Ammonite building with Rich recently and I feel the lack of straight lines/corners would slowly drive me mad

if these modular UFO buildings are like a small-scale Ammonite, then the madness would reach me within minutes

[Plainstone]

Wow ... great stuff, though I have to say I also like the look of those drinks trolleys

Just need a 1970s BOAC uniform for the missus (as modelled by Charlotte Gainsbourg in Ma Femme est une Actrice) and we're in (funny/monkey) business!

Phew, I'm off for a lie down.

[Rich Hero]

I've been four or five times over the last 18 years...

Specifically, I was wondering about going specifically to stay at that hotel (but, if it's been mentioned in the Guardian there's no chance ).

have to say I'm not much of a fan of these buildings

They do look pretty shabby now, from those pictures, but, that aside, there doesn't look like there's much/any variation between each unit (kind of the point though). Yes, it would be interesting to see what was done with the interiors to make them liveable. The aesthetics probably outdo the actual reality of living in them, but it is good to see something different.

As for Ammonite, I think it looks like it would actually work. The obvious problem being a lack of flat walls for hanging pictures or shelving records. I wonder what the acoustics are like?

[danielandhisorchestra]

Yes, it would be interesting to see what was done with the interiors to make them liveable. The aesthetics probably outdo the actual reality of living in them, but it is good to see something different.

As for Ammonite, I think it looks like it would actually work. The obvious problem being a lack of flat walls for hanging pictures or shelving records. I wonder what the acoustics are like?

You need to move your focus away from the walls and into the actual living space. It may seem like a fairly alien concept to westerners, who generally stick everything around the edge of a room, along the walls, but it is not, I believe, uncommon in some Asian countries to have the furniture and focus in the centre of a room. A free-standing expedit would serve as a great room divider

I spent a very pleasant weekend in a wooden dome house in France and didn't miss corners for a moment. In fact, I found the continuity of line and subtle gradation of light to be most relaxing. It is my intention one day to build one here. Or perhaps a big mud dome.

[Plainstone]

You need to move your focus away from the walls and into the actual living space. It may seem like a fairly alien concept to westerners, who generally stick everything around the edge of a room, along the walls, but it is not, I believe, uncommon in some Asian countries to have the furniture and focus in the centre of a room. A free-standing expedit would serve as a great room divider

I spent a very pleasant weekend in a wooden dome house in France and didn't miss corners for a moment. In fact, I found the continuity of line and subtle gradation of light to be most relaxing. It is my intention one day to build one here. Or perhaps a big mud dome.

Agree 100%. You also don't lose any of your deposit for having tacked posters up on the walls.

A classic Japanese tatami room with a low table in the centre and a bowl of oranges thereon ... aesthetic heaven (but a bugger if your knees are in the state mine are).

On the subject of round houses, the Whisky Vat houses at Findhorn are rather great.

[Col Wolfe]

this is causing much confusion and worry to me

for years I have planned my own home, which is fast becoming a reality. however, my 'dream' has been based around cubism and now I wonder whether something which moulds itself into the surrounding scenery would be more appropriate

what I have seen in other modestly sized rounded buildings is a distinct lack of storage space

I appreciate the spacial luxuries a large structure (Ammonite) can give by way of a curved layout but in the smaller projects (Sanzhi UFO) I really can't see it working. That's why I'd like to see a plan of how the UFO flows before I can put myself at ease

[bongolia]

I get the sense that it's only one pod per abode, which make them pretty small?

they are small but it's only a holiday resort, a futuristic Butlins if you like...

[Col Wolfe]

they are small but it's only a holiday resort, a futuristic Butlins if you like...

I like

shoulda sussed, what with that superb slide at the edge of the duck pond

[son of stan]

I really like that burnt orange travel bag.

The Pan Am one is nice, too.