No matter how great our own homes may be, we can’t seem to help it–we’re constantly dreaming of something bigger and better. Though few of us have the resources to make these dreams possible, a few lucky folks with both the cash and the vision do manage to see their dreams through. But at the same time, many of us forget that a home doesn’t have to be extravagantly expensive to be unique and “cool.” Some people manage to find themselves in incredible dwellings due to sheer force of will or even simple circumstance. Today we’re looking at both ends of the spectrum–the coolest homes inhabited by people of all walks of life everywhere on this planet. So without further ado, here is our list of the fifteen coolest homes from around the world:

Upside Down House, Poland This home was built by Polish businessman Daniel Czapiewski as a statement about the “backwardness” he perceived in the country under the Soviet regime. The inside is also decorated in typical Soviet fashion–but upside down of course. Nowadays the house is open to visitors, who are able to enter and walk on the ceiling (the floor?).

This bizarre architectural feat known popularly as the “crazy house” was built in 1990 as a pet project by a local architect– but the design, which incorporates many natural elements including animals, mushrooms, and a giant tree trunk, proved to be more expensive than anticipated. As such, a section of the home has acted as a guest house for tourists since the late 90s

Toilet House, South Korea This home was constructed by one Sim Jae-duck, founder of the–you guessed it–World Toilet Association. As ridiculous as it might sound, the foundation did a lot of good work promoting improved sanitation facilities around the world. The home acted as his private residence until his death in 2009; it was then bequeathed to the government and has since become a toilet museum.

Shoe House, South Africa Do you remember the nursery rhyme about the little old lady who lived in a shoe? Well it looks like you’re not alone, as local artist Ron Van Zyl decided to construct this home for his wife in 1990. It’s now part of a complex that includes an art museum, campground, bar, and more.

Bio-Climatic Solar House, France This home, located in eastern France, brings “environmentally- friendly” to a whole new level. The house’s angle and glass facade work so that the home remains warm in the winter and relatively cool during other parts of the year, avoiding the energy expenditures normally associated with homes in this part of the world.

Crocodile House, Ivory Coast At first glance, this home actually does look like a crocodile–but trust us, this house is real and people live here. It was initially built by artist Moussa Kalo, and after his passing it was taken over by one of his apprentices who continues its upkeep.

Booked

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home located just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica is available to rent– for a price. A night here costs more than a week would at most other local options, but you get what you pay for, right? The inside is incredible as well, totally refurbished and paneled with local wood.

Bubble House, France This extravagant home located just outside of Cannes was specially designed and built for designer Pierre Cardin, who is not-so-surprisingly renowned for his own avant-garde tastes. It has apparently been the site of some of the region’s most debauched parties, which also somehow seems appropriate.

Clock Tower Penthouse, New York This penthouse apartment is the result of a major overhaul of an old clock tower in Brooklyn, New York. It seems that the developers are still looking for a tenant–I wonder why? The asking price is only $18 million.

Transparent House, Japan Do you feel like you just have way too much privacy in your life? Well then maybe you’ve finally found the home for you! This Tokyo home was apparently inspired by the idea of living in a tree–though how exactly the two concepts are connected is still a little bit hazy to us.

Rotating House, Australia At first glance, this benign-looking structure seems ordinary enough–but with enough patience, you might notice something strange happening. The Everingham Rotating House, as it’s known, completes a full rotation in between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on its speed setting. The home today remains a private residence.

Space House, Tennessee This residence, popularly known as the “Space House” or the “Flying Saucer House,” was constructed by one Curtis King back in 1973. Nowadays the home is available for short-term rental options, and the price is apparently quite reasonable! If you’ve been looking for a spaceship experience on a budget, well… here’s an option.

Tiny House, Washington This 140 (yes, 140) square foot home outside of Seattle, Washington punches way above its weight–it’s got a kitchen, bathroom, upstairs bedroom, and reading nook all packed in to such a tiny space. It’s also environmentally-friendly, sourcing its energy from solar panels. Who would’ve thought you could do so much with so little?

Dar al-Hajar, Yemen This monumental looking structure wasn’t constructed as an icon, but it’s certainly become one. Built as the summer home of a powerful Imam, the building is now a museum. Its location just outside of the Yemeni capital of Sana makes this home relatively accessible and it’s become a popular destination for day trips.

Antilia, India We’re ending with the big one–this skyscraper in Mumbai, India is actually a private residence–yes, one residence–belonging to Mukesh Ambani, a local business magnate. Perhaps the most expensive private residence in the world, it reportedly takes a staff of 600 to run. It all seems a bit ostentatious to us, but what do we know?

Great write up

http://planet.infowars.com/outdoors/tiny-house-design-tips-that-would-keep-you-safe-when-there-is-a-disaster