Bizarre buildings: Eye-catching or an eyesore?

Would you live or work in a building that's shaped like a toilet bowl? Or one that is perched precariously on a rock in a flowing river?

Take a look at these unusually shaped buildings that have sprung up in some countries. 

Several were obviously designed with a tongue-in-cheek manner. Like one which looks upside-down, but functional for the occupants. Or another, which is so slim that a visitor probably has to sidle in.

The most daringly ambitious - a tall apartment building topped off with a landscaped hill - got into trouble with the Chinese authorities. The owner was told to remove his huge scenic mound.

But others still stand, attracting surprised stares or putting a smile on the face of passers-by.

chenj@sph.com.sg