Could You Live In A House Like This?

By Author: Rebecca Smith
Total Articles: 151
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Correct me if I’m wrong but, when you’re looking for a new home you probably look for something with four walls and a roof.

So, could you live in any of these houses?

This Chinese architect was so strapped for cash he couldn’t afford to rent, let alone buy an apartment in Beijing.

So, he came up with the novel idea of building himself a pod, taking his inspiration from a concept called ’City’s Egg’ on display at the 2010 Shanghai Biennale Exhibition.

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#chinese-pod-house

His new home cost him just US$964 to build.

It has a bamboo frame insulated with wood chips and the exterior cladding is planted with grass seeds - so it’s green in every sense.

But not exactly what you’d call spacious - it’s only two metres high at its tallest point.

Inside he has a bed, a water tank and a small table. The solar panel on the roof provides electricity - only enough for a small lamp, but what more do you need?

OK, the pod maybe a little small for you - especially if you have a family.

So ...
... you may find an aircraft more suitable, like Jo-Ann Ussery...

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#plane-home

After her first home got flattened by a tree, her brother in law suggested she buy a decommissioned Boeing 727 - well you would, wouldn’t you?

The plane cost her US$2,000 and she paid US$2,000 to move it to the banks of Lake Whittington in Mississippi.

Jo-Ann then spent US$24,000 converting it into her home.

The craft now has three bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a fully fitted kitchen, a master bedroom suite and the cockpit has its own Jacuzzi.

She retained many original features, such as overhead lockers, the cockpit controls and even a bathroom.

Jo-Ann jokingly calls her house ’Little Trump’ - a reference to Donald Trump’s US$16,000,000 corporate jet.

Surprisingly, there are quite a few of these aircraft properties around.

Here’s another in Nigeria...

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#nigeria-plane-house

Do you remember the nursery rhyme; ‘There was an old woman who lived in a shoe’?

American businessman Mahlon N. Haines, a.k.a. ‘The Shoe Wizard’, went one better when he built this house in 1948 to promote his business.

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#shoe-house

It must have worked because he went on to make a small fortune.

His shoe has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and there’s even a shoe-shaped kennel for the dog.

And on the subject of dog kennels, can you imagine buying this house for your dog?

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#dog-house

The website reads; "Spoiling dogs by giving them a place to stay luxurious and comfortable is a very important thing.”

The dog in the picture doesn’t look too interested does he?

Back to homes for humans...

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#ufo-house

Would you believe over 100 of these futuristic homes were built?

The original was designed by Finnish architect, Matti Suuronen, and built in 1968. It was intended as a ski cabin for a friend. Several are still in use today.

The one above was auctioned in the US in 2009 and made US$50,000.

This last one really takes the biscuit (sorry)...

http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#cookie-jar-house

It was built in 1947 by a developer who thought it would be a great idea to have a whole estate of homes shaped like cookie jars.

Oddly, his idea didn’t work and the show home was the only one built.

Inside there’s a central spiral staircase and every room is semi-circular in shape - it must be a bit of a problem finding furniture to fit.

I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll stick to the standard four walls and a roof.

I’d love to hear your comments - you can leave them on our blog:
http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/could-you-live-in-a-house-like-this/#IDCommentsHead

If you’d like info on more conventional properties, visit our website
http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com

Rebecca Smith
Ocean Villas Group
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Rebecca Smith is a real estate journalist with more than 15 years experience. She is currently the sales director for Ocean Villas Group who specialise in luxury ocean view property investments worldwide.