The Mushroom House

Cincinnati, Ohio

Background: This was the home and studio of Terry Brown, an architect who died in 2008. Brown, who was a professor at the University of Cincinnatis College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, built the home between 1992 and 2006, bringing in students, on occasion, to contribute to the project.Why Its Unique: Undulating wood work, bizarre shapes and an array of materials come together to form a cohesive, albeit zany, structure. This isnt something you draw up and say go build it, Koliopoulos tells PM. When youre doing something this custom, youre fabricating and designing simultaneously in the field. The fantastical design doesnt stop at the front door. The interior is adorned with angular cabinets and multicolored rock walls. This is highly personal and artistic ? its just a different way of living and thinking, Koliopoulos says.