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Ryan
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What is the weirdest bulding ever built in America?
Tallest building?
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3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
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Australia
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Dr’s Answer
Hey Ryan,
Curious huh? Well that is an interesting question maybe in the future we will be asking about the weirdest buildings on Mars but first let me go there then I can tell you about it!
Anyways America has built some truly bizarre structures that make you question whether the architects were geniuses or just really horrible at following instructions or maybe the first option (they out did it). Here are three of the weirdest buildings ever constructed which I heard a looooot about.
First up, we have The Longaberger Basket Building in Ohio. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a seven-story office building shaped like a giant picnic basket. The company that made actual baskets thought, “Why not work inside one?” Imagine showing up for your first day of work and realizing you’re about to clock in inside something that looks like a giant’s lunchbox. Sadly, the company went out of business, but the building still exists, proving that just because you can build a giant basket, doesn’t mean you should.
Next, we have the Kansas City Library’s Giant Bookshelf in Missouri. Now remember this, This isn’t just any library; its parking garage is designed to look like a row of massive books (wonder if I will find any books there too if I do maybe start a book club right there!). The building is literally judging you if you don’t read. It’s perfect for book lovers and terrible for people who still haven’t finished that novel they started three years ago. Imagine parking your car next to a 25-foot-tall copy of The Lord of the Rings and realizing even the garage is more well-read than you.
And then, there’s The Winchester Mystery House in California I believe and which isn’t just weird—it’s downright creepy. This massive mansion was built by Sarah Winchester, who believed she had to keep building non-stop to appease the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles. The result? A house with staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and windows that look into other rooms. It’s the perfect place if you enjoy getting lost in your own home or being haunted by architectural decisions.
Now, let’s talk about the tallest buildings, because America love to make things absurdly big I mean who doesn't it's even Arabs like burj Khalifa who is saying it's just Americans (not me)!
The One World Trade Center in New York is the tallest building in the U.S., standing at a symbolic 1,776 feet (because, you know, America). It’s sleek, modern, and looks like it was designed by someone who really wanted to make sure no one ever forgot about it. It’s basically the skyscraper equivalent of wearing sunglasses indoors.
Then there’s the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago, standing at 1,450 feet. This building is so tall that it has its own Skydeck with glass boxes that let you stand and look straight down 1,353 feet. It’s great for people who enjoy thrill-seeking and a terrible idea for anyone with even a hint of fear of heights. Also, people still call it the Sears Tower, proving that no matter how much you change something, people will always call it by its old name (looking at you, Twitter/X).
So, whether you want to work inside a giant basket, park next to oversized books, or walk into a haunted maze of a house, America has a weird building for you. And if you just want to feel really, really small, the country has some ridiculously tall ones too.
They are on my visit list so maybe yours too or just curiosity! 🤔😅
Curious huh? Well that is an interesting question maybe in the future we will be asking about the weirdest buildings on Mars but first let me go there then I can tell you about it!
Anyways America has built some truly bizarre structures that make you question whether the architects were geniuses or just really horrible at following instructions or maybe the first option (they out did it). Here are three of the weirdest buildings ever constructed which I heard a looooot about.
First up, we have The Longaberger Basket Building in Ohio. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a seven-story office building shaped like a giant picnic basket. The company that made actual baskets thought, “Why not work inside one?” Imagine showing up for your first day of work and realizing you’re about to clock in inside something that looks like a giant’s lunchbox. Sadly, the company went out of business, but the building still exists, proving that just because you can build a giant basket, doesn’t mean you should.
Next, we have the Kansas City Library’s Giant Bookshelf in Missouri. Now remember this, This isn’t just any library; its parking garage is designed to look like a row of massive books (wonder if I will find any books there too if I do maybe start a book club right there!). The building is literally judging you if you don’t read. It’s perfect for book lovers and terrible for people who still haven’t finished that novel they started three years ago. Imagine parking your car next to a 25-foot-tall copy of The Lord of the Rings and realizing even the garage is more well-read than you.
And then, there’s The Winchester Mystery House in California I believe and which isn’t just weird—it’s downright creepy. This massive mansion was built by Sarah Winchester, who believed she had to keep building non-stop to appease the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles. The result? A house with staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and windows that look into other rooms. It’s the perfect place if you enjoy getting lost in your own home or being haunted by architectural decisions.
Now, let’s talk about the tallest buildings, because America love to make things absurdly big I mean who doesn't it's even Arabs like burj Khalifa who is saying it's just Americans (not me)!
The One World Trade Center in New York is the tallest building in the U.S., standing at a symbolic 1,776 feet (because, you know, America). It’s sleek, modern, and looks like it was designed by someone who really wanted to make sure no one ever forgot about it. It’s basically the skyscraper equivalent of wearing sunglasses indoors.
Then there’s the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago, standing at 1,450 feet. This building is so tall that it has its own Skydeck with glass boxes that let you stand and look straight down 1,353 feet. It’s great for people who enjoy thrill-seeking and a terrible idea for anyone with even a hint of fear of heights. Also, people still call it the Sears Tower, proving that no matter how much you change something, people will always call it by its old name (looking at you, Twitter/X).
So, whether you want to work inside a giant basket, park next to oversized books, or walk into a haunted maze of a house, America has a weird building for you. And if you just want to feel really, really small, the country has some ridiculously tall ones too.
They are on my visit list so maybe yours too or just curiosity! 🤔😅
Scott Vollmoeller
Mechanical Consulting Engineer
4
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Good morning! As you know, weirdest could mean many things: smallest, tallest, shaped, etc. I would suggest one of the weirdest buildings based on not-before used shapes and geometries, I would propose the EMP museum in Seattle by Frank Gehry. I am sure there are many other opinions, but this one always stands out in my mind, weird, yet architecturally appealing.
Angus Powell
Sales Rep
4
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Angus’s Answer
Hi Ryan,
I would have to say 'weirdest' would classify as either odd or not normal.
From that I would have to say The Basket Buidling in Newark Ohio. It is a giant replica of a picnic basket and is 7 stories tall.
I hope this helps.
Angus
I would have to say 'weirdest' would classify as either odd or not normal.
From that I would have to say The Basket Buidling in Newark Ohio. It is a giant replica of a picnic basket and is 7 stories tall.
I hope this helps.
Angus