Buildings shaped like animals serve as an important reminder: Even with something as important as our built environment, it’s acceptable to shake off expectations every now and then and have a little fun. While the planet would start to look like a zoo if every structure resembled the pets and creatures of the world, one here and there brings whimsy and humor to the cities in which they exist. After all, who wouldn’t find joy in spending the night in a bed and breakfast designed like an oversized beagle? Or perhaps dining at an overwater bungalow in the Maldives shaped like an enormous stingray? While often designed for pleasure, these buildings can also serve as sources of local pride, cementing the structures in a specific place while highlighting the wildlife that makes each area unique. Here, AD visits 12 cheeky buildings shaped like animals.
