Design can sometimes be mundane- except when it’s novelty architecture. These buildings uniquely and identifiably break away from the abstract, metaphorical, and often monotonous buildings that have classified modern-day design. Instead of favoring the steel and glass skyscrapers that serve as landmarks in cities around the world, they aim to poke fun at architecture in a way that’s jovial, commercial, and perhaps slightly more functional and expressive. Unlike other buildings, they are the literal embodiment of a thing itself, putting its function widely on display instead of hiding it within four austere walls.
Novelty architecture, sometimes called memetic architecture, is a widely known type of building in which structures are designed as familiar shapes such as characters, animals, or household objects. The scale becomes distorted so that these everyday items become inhabitable. Without the attention of being authentic or serious, many of these buildings often become landmarks or sought-out tourist attractions. Different from a folly, in that they feature usable space, these ornamental buildings are over the top and become widely known for their slight absurdity and their cheeky interpretation of the phrase “form follows function.”
