Unusual architecture has always been a fascination of ours and our blog celebrates the unique, innovative and downright unusual architecture around the world. We love exploring what makes a building unique from the materials used to the structures that are quite frankly out of this world. Today, we are proud to bring you the ever-so-enchanting enchanting Piano House. Built in 2007, this captivating piano shaped building features an extraordinary entrance. Visitors enter the building via a giant transparent violin which houses a staircase and an escalator that leads to the main building. The purpose of this wonderful building? It is a showroom that focusses on property development but has become a tourist hotspot due to its unique and innovative exterior.

A Glass Masterpiece

Designed by the University of Technology, this is by far one of the most unusual structures in China. The entry point, shaped like a giant violin is crafted entirely from glass creating a completely transparent exterior through which visitors can see people coming and going from the main building. The piano shaped building is also made from hundreds of glass panels and is supported by three concrete legs and boasts an elaborate rooftop terrace that exists beneath the piano top. As a result, the structure can appear quite cold and clinical from the outside but it is none the less inspiring. The black panels are interspersed with clear panels to create the illusion of piano keys and the overall effect is stunning.

A Classic Colour Scheme

Both of the structures are impressive even though the colour scheme is very simple. The Piano house has a classic black and white colour scheme that is contrasted by the transparent glass exterior of the violin. The steel staircase adds an industrial touch to the building. Black and white is a classic colour scheme but the glass and steel materials add a distinctly modern edge. We love how the complexity of this structure contrasts with an ever so simple colour scheme.

The Ultimate Wedding Day Backdrop

While the building is designed for business purposes (the interior space is taken up with meeting rooms), the overall theme of the structure points to music and romance. The Piano building is striking and elegant during the day but at night is when the building comes to life. When darkness falls, the outline of the piano and violin structures lights up with the use of fluorescent lighting. The effect is mesmerising. It is often referred to as the most romantic building in China and it unsurprisingly attracts thousands of music lovers to its doors. It is extremely popular with Newlyweds who wish to use it as a backdrop to their wedding photos and many weddings are also held here.

Reception

The Piano House was built by two architects from the local university with the aim of attracting more people to the area of Huainan and improving the economy. This building has done wonders when it comes to increasing tourism and many musicians flock to the building to make music in the shaded area that is located under the building itself.