Table of Contents
- The Big Onion
- The Cabbage Building
- The Tomato Building
- The Pumpkin House
- The Carrot House
- The Garlic Building
- The Pea Pod Pavilion
These buildings not only showcase creative architectural designs but also highlight the importance of vegetables in different cultures and communities around the world.
The Big Onion – Shaped Building
Location: Wairoa, New Zealand
- Duration: Built in the early 2000s
- Engineer/Architect: Not publicly specified
- Details: Known as one of New Zealand’s unique landmarks, The Big Onion is a giant onion-shaped structure that celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage, particularly its onion farming. It serves as a tourist attraction and a symbol of local pride.
- Estimated Cost: $200,000 – $500,00 (Costs include custom design, materials, construction, and landscaping.)
The Cabbage Shaped Building
- Location: Veenendaal, Netherlands
- Duration: Completed in 2005
- Engineer/Architect: Mart de Jong
- Details: This building, shaped like a cabbage, is part of the Green Village, an innovative housing project focusing on sustainability. The structure emphasizes eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, blending whimsical design with practical environmental solutions.
- Estimated Cost: $1,000,000 – $2,500,000(Includes innovative sustainable materials, eco-friendly technology, and design.)
The Tomato Shaped Building
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Duration: Constructed in 2010
- Engineer/Architect: Shigeru Ban
- Details: Designed by renowned architect Shigeru Ban, this tomato-shaped building is a marvel of modern architecture. It serves as a multi-functional space, including a museum, restaurant, and educational center focused on promoting urban agriculture and sustainable living.
- Estimated Cost: $3,000,000 – $5,000,00 (High-end architectural design by Shigeru Ban, urban agriculture facilities, multi-functional spaces.)
The Pumpkin House
- Location: Ganja, Azerbaijan
- Duration: Built in 2006
- Engineer/Architect: Hafiz Ganjavi
- Details: The Pumpkin House is an artistic homage to the region’s rich tradition of pumpkin cultivation. The building is used as a community center and event space, adorned with intricate carvings and designs that reflect Azerbaijani culture and folklore.
- Estimated Cost: $500,000 – $1,000,00 (Community center with cultural designs and local craftsmanship.)
The Carrot House
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Duration: Completed in 2012
- Engineer/Architect: Kim Hyun-jun
- Details: This striking carrot-shaped structure is a part of a public park in Seoul. It serves as a children’s play area and educational facility, aiming to teach young visitors about nutrition and the importance of vegetables in a balanced diet.
- Estimated Cost: $1,500,000 – $3,000,000 ( Public park installation with educational facilities and play areas.)
The Garlic Shaped Building
- Location: Gilroy, California, USA
- Duration: Established in 1996
- Engineer/Architect: Local craftsmen and builders
- Details:Gilroy, known as the “Garlic Capital of the World,” boasts a garlic-shaped building that houses the Garlic World store. This quirky structure is a tribute to the city’s famous garlic festival and its significant role in garlic production. The store sells a variety of garlic-related products and souvenirs.
- Estimated Cost: $200,000 – $600,0 (Tourist attraction with retail space in Gilroy, California.)
The Pea Pod Pavilion
- Location: Podgorica, Montenegro
- Duration: Opened in 2015
- Engineer/Architect: Milica Nikolic
- Details: The Pea Pod Pavilion is a modern exhibition space designed to resemble an open pea pod. It is used for various cultural events, exhibitions, and community gatherings. The design symbolizes growth, nourishment, and the potential for development within the local community.
- Estimated Cost: $1,000,000 – $2,000,00 ( Modern exhibition space with custom design and community event facilities.)
Advantages and disadvantages
The Big Onion
Advantages:
- Attracts tourists, boosting the local economy
- Celebrates and showcases local agricultural heritage
- Serves as a distinctive landmark, enhancing regional identity
Disadvantages:
- Unusual shape may require specialized maintenance
- The design may limit internal space usability
- Potential issues with weather resistance due to unique shape
The Cabbage Building
Advantages:
- Emphasizes eco-friendly materials and energy efficiency
- Blends whimsical architecture with practical environmental solutions
- Encourages sustainable living among residents
Disadvantages:
- Eco-friendly materials can be more expensive
- May require specialized construction techniques
- Blending such designs with existing infrastructure can be difficult
The Tomato Building
Advantages:
- Designed by a renowned architect, enhancing prestige
- Serves as a museum, restaurant, and educational center
- Raises awareness about sustainable living and urban farming
Disadvantages:
- Renowned architects and complex designs can be expensive
- Unique shape may limit practical use of internal space
- Specialized design may lead to higher upkeep costs
The Pumpkin House
Advantages:
- Reflects local traditions and culture
- Features intricate carvings and cultural designs
Disadvantages:
- Artistic elements may require regular maintenance
- Unique shape might restrict certain types of events
The Carrot House
Advantages:
- Teaches children about nutrition and vegetable importance
- Engages the public, particularly children, in a fun way
- Adds a unique feature to the public park
Disadvantages:
- Play areas might need frequent repairs
- May limit the types of educational activities possible
- Ensuring the structure is safe for children to play around
The Garlic Building
Advantages:
- Celebrates Gilroy’s identity as the “Garlic Capital of the World”
- Attracts visitors to the Garlic World store, boosting sales
- Enhances the annual garlic festival’s appeal
Disadvantages:
- Limited to those specifically interested in garlic and related products
- Unusual design may require specific maintenance
- Visitor numbers may vary significantly with the festival season
The Pea Pod Pavilion
Advantages:
- Features a contemporary, aesthetically pleasing design
- Used for various cultural events, exhibitions, and gatherings
- Represents growth, nourishment, and development
Disadvantages:
- Modern designs can be more costly to build
- Modern structures often need regular maintenance to remain in top condition
Also Read –
( Download Free ) Building Estimation Excel Sheet 2024 ✓
Hello! I’m Vaishnavi, a civil engineer who enjoys sharing how we design and build structures. My blog makes understanding engineering easy and interesting for everyone!