The Owl House, National heritage site in Nieu-Bethesda, South Africa
The Owl House features walls covered in crushed glass and a garden filled with over 300 concrete sculptures depicting figures, camels, and owls.
Helen Martins transformed her family home between 1945 and 1976, creating an artistic environment after both her parents passed away.
The sculptures in the Camel Yard reflect religious imagery, with figures oriented toward an imagined east, representing a personal interpretation of spirituality.
Visitors can explore the house and sculpture garden daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with combined tickets available for the nearby Kitching Fossil Centre.
Each room contains carefully positioned mirrors and colored glass that capture sunlight, creating different lighting effects throughout the day.
Location: Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality
Website: http://owlhouse.org.za/owlhouse.html
GPS coordinates: -31.86750,24.55280
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:51
Architecture does not have to follow straight lines and right angles. This collection presents buildings that stand out through their form: domes, spirals, tilted facades or organic structures that recall animals or plants. From Gaudí's mosaic covered works in Barcelona to the stacked concrete cubes of Habitat 67 in Montreal or the conical trulli of Alberobello, these structures demonstrate alternative approaches to construction. Some emerged from technical necessity, such as the temporary cardboard cathedral in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake. Others are artistic statements: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao with its titanium plates, the Dancing House in Prague or the cubist houses in Rotterdam. In Đà Lạt, the Crazy House transforms tree trunks and caves into habitable spaces, while the Atomium in Brussels represents a magnified iron crystal. These structures attract visitors but also raise questions about function and livability. The Longaberger Basket Building in Ohio takes the form of a seven story basket. The Lotus Temple in New Delhi uses concrete shells to form 27 petals. The Aldar headquarters in Abu Dhabi resembles a circular coin. These buildings expand the definition of what architecture can be.
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