From Mexico’s Casa Orgánica to Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Casa Batlló in Spain, these structures are characterized by swirling shapes and vibrant colours.

By Hannah Jackson

4 June 2023Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb

In the 55-plus years since the Summer of Love kicked off in San Francisco, many of the hallmarks of the ’60s have disappeared from everyday life. Though we don’t see muttonchop sideburns and bell-bottoms as much anymore, the influence of the counterculture has left its indelible mark on architecture. Most major cities now include architects that show an affinity for bold colours and patterns or an appreciation of the elements. The result is a smattering of psychedelic houses around the world, outfitted in colours so unusually conceived that you’d swear something seemed off.

To some people, these mind-bending buildings characterized by swirling shapes and vibrant colours are more than architectural wonders—they’re home. Some, like Casa Orgánica in Mexico and The Bloomhouse in the United States, lean into the shroomy-aesthetic with their organic curves. Other structures, like the Reversible Destiny Lofts in Japan and Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Casa Batlló in Spain, have the kaleidoscopic qualities of an acid trip. These groovy abodes are beloved by some and disdained by others, though, no matter what, they usually become crown jewels in their cities’ architectural collection. Below, we unpack eight of the most psychedelic houses around the world that are most definitely worth visiting.

Also read: 11 of the world’s most stunning repurposed buildings

• Photo: Stephen Sherrill1/8El Jardin, Santa Barbara, California (designed by Jeff Shelton, 2014)Never one to be constrained by building codes, architect Jeff Shelton manages to build Santa Barbara’s funkiest homes while still adhering to the city’s strict Spanish-Moorish aesthetic guidelines. The result is residences like El Jardin, a psychedelic take on Southern Spanish architecture that boasts views of the Santa Barbara Riviera and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Complete with colourful glass details, wavy ironwork, and bespoke tiles, El Jardin is a Seussian triumph.
• Photo: Getty Images/Shaun Egan2/8Casa Batlló, Barcelona, Spain (designed by Antoni Gaudí, 1904)Originally built in 1877, Casa Batlló was redesigned in 1904 by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí—though his famed Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia often eclipse the smaller home. Still, it’s clear to see why it’s considered one of Gaudí’s modernist masterpieces: With a winding roof inspired by a dragon’s body, glimmering mosaics, and stained glass windows, Casa Batlló is nothing short of fantastical. No longer a residential building, Casa Batlló is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Barcelona must-see.
• Photo: Getty Images3/8Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna, Austria (designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, 1985)One of Vienna’s most popular attractions, the Hundertwasserhaus was the first architectural venture of the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. With the assistance of architect Josef Krawina, Hundertwasser envisioned a home that interacted with nature. Today, the Hundertwasserhaus, a primary-coloured abode composed of sloping lines and shiny mosaics, is owned by the Viennese government, which is responsible for renting the units. Though the inside is inaccessible to tourists, fear not, for the Hundertwasser Museum is just a short walk away.
• Photo: Courtesy of Casa Orgànica4/8Casa Orgánica, Mexico City, Mexico (designed by Javier Senosiain, 1984)Casa Orgánica was conceived from the mind of architect Javier Senosiain, who sought to design a home that was similar to adapted structures from human history: caves, igloos, and even a mother’s embrace. But contrasting its cozy, earthy interior is its undulating, iridescent blue-green façade draped in vibrant bougainvillea. Located just under an hour outside Mexico City, Casa Orgánica is closed to the public, but offers tickets for hour-long tours.
• Photo: Getty Images/Eric Robert5/8Palais Bulles, Théoule-sur-Mer, France (designed by Antti Lovag, 1984)A home built for life on Mars, it’s no wonder that space-age fashion designer Pierre Cardin came to inhabit Palais Bulles. Overlooking the Bay of Cannes, this globular abode is an amalgamation of futurism and organic architecture. Nowadays, this funky seaside manor is a privatized venue available to rent for everything from weddings to runway shows.
• Photo: Getty Images6/8El Alto Cholets, El Alto, Bolivia (designed by Freddy Mamani Silvestre, 2005)Situated just outside of the capital city of La Paz, Freddy Mamani Silvestre’s El Alto Cholets are a reclamation of Andean culture. These vivid, maximalist cholets—a portmanteau of “chalet” and “chola”—pay homage to the indigenous people of Bolivia and a direct opposition to the traditional muted tones and exposed brick of modern Bolivian architecture. The cholets are multipurpose buildings, with the first floor used for commercial enterprises, the second as an events space, and the third for apartments.
• Photo: Courtesy of 2005 Estate of Madeline Gins. Reproduced with permission of the Estate of Madeline Gins7/8Reversible Destiny Lofts, Tokyo, Japan (designed by Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins, 2005)Though you may recognize the Reversible Destiny Lofts from Shoshanna’s Tokyo tenure on Girls, the building is much more than a colourful landmark. Inspired by and dedicated to Helen Keller—someone the designers considered to reverse their life’s destiny—this condominium complex aims to help residents unlock the full potential of their senses thanks to its vibrant colours and unusual shapes. Luckily, you too can cocoon yourself in this trippy chamber for US$255 a night.
• Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb8/8The Bloomhouse, Austin, Texas (designed by Dalton Bloom and Charles Harker, 1973)This Austin home designed by two University of Texas architecture students is an ode to the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The hippie palace’s curves were constructed out of polyurethane and coated in stucco to mimic the flow of the elements —aside from the rectangular back doors, there is no straight line in the entire house. Rescued from disarray in 2017 by former West Lake Hills mayor Dave Claunch, the home was restored to its former glory. Now a vacation rental, you too can stay at the Bloomhouse.