In a city known for its regal palaces and ancient bridges, London’s character is being subtly—and occasionally loudly—reshaped by the outliers, the architectural misfits. With their distorted shapes and futuristic aspirations, these odd buildings are not just meant to be shocking. They are brilliantly designed, incredibly efficient, and becoming more and more crucial to the changing urban identity of the capital.
These structures do more than just deface the skyline because they combine bold aesthetics with highly functional design. They provide new insights into what city life can look like when creativity is free to flourish, both literally and figuratively.
10 Unusual Modern Buildings in London
| Building | Architect(s) | Completed | Primary Function | Striking Feature | Nearest Tube |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walkie Talkie (20 Fenchurch St) | Rafael Viñoly | 2014 | Offices, Sky Garden | Top-heavy design, lush rooftop garden | Monument / Bank |
| The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) | Foster + Partners | 2003 | Offices | Spiraling energy-saving design, glass dome | Aldgate / Liverpool St |
| Montcalm East Hotel | Squire and Partners | 2008 | Boutique Hotel | Diamond-shaped illusion façade | Old Street |
| One Blackfriars (The Vase) | SimpsonHaugh | 2018 | Residential Tower | Smooth vase-like silhouette, panoramic views | Blackfriars |
| Shri Swaminarayan Mandir | C.B. Sompura, volunteers | 1995 | Hindu Temple | Hand-carved stone structure with spiritual detail | Neasden |
| Thin Building, S. Kensington | Unknown | 1980s–90s | Residential Studios | Only 7 ft wide on the side, built above train lines | South Kensington |
| Barrett’s Grove | Amin Taha Architects | 2015 | Apartments | Wicker balconies, timber latticework | Dalston Junction |
| City Hall, Southwark | Foster + Partners | 2002 | Government Offices | Slanted beehive shape with passive solar design | London Bridge |
| Crossrail Station, Canary Wharf | Foster + Partners | 2015 | Transport Hub | Curved roof, public tropical garden | Canary Wharf |
| The Pagoda, Blackheath | Sir William Chambers | 1760 | Private Residence (historic) | Chinese-inspired tiered roofing | Blackheath (bus access) |
Walkie Talkie: An Architectural U-Turn in the Sky
The Walkie Talkie building, whose top appears to encroach on its base, has become a marvel and a meme. Using shape to command both skyline and curiosity, this office tower is especially inventive in its rooftop garden concept. It is a daring building that supports the notion that commercial architecture should provide more than just cubicles, both aesthetically and functionally. It has greatly increased the public’s access to expansive green areas in the sky, despite early criticism.
The Gherkin: London’s Glass Bullet of Sustainability
The Gherkin, officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, is more than just a showpiece. Its spiral ventilation system, which draws inspiration from natural geometry, enables a significant reduction in energy consumption. Foster + Partners created a building that is both incredibly efficient and distinctively beautiful by fusing smart glass technology with aerodynamic curves. It serves as a powerful reminder that environmentally friendly architecture can still attract attention.
Montcalm East: A Hotel Built on Optical Illusions
The Montcalm East Hotel in Shoreditch has angular glass panels that appear to change depending on your viewpoint, making it similar to gazing into a crystal. The building, which is shaped like a diamond shard, is a reflection of the Tech City district’s inventive spirit. It’s an attitude hotel that is very clear about its goal: to combine art and functionality into a single, unforgettable overnight stay.
One Blackfriars (The Vase): Curves with a View
The shameful, smooth, and faintly reflective One Blackfriars rises from the south bank of the Thames like a sculpture. Its flowing shape contrasts sharply with the angular towers of London. The design is especially inventive because it leans into curvature, allowing for interior layouts that capture 360-degree views. Its aesthetics give the glass-and-steel jungle of the capital a much-needed touch of tenderness.
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir: Sacred Geometry in Stone
This Hindu temple in Neasden is a spiritual and architectural wonder, meticulously crafted and reverently carved. A place of worship that feels both timeless and ancient was created by hand-crafting each stone in India and shipping it to the UK. It is incredibly resilient and profoundly symbolic, demonstrating how cosmopolitan life can coexist peacefully with sacred architecture.
Thin Building: Slim Fit, Big Impact
One of London’s most peculiar architectural phenomena is the Thin Building, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it wedge in South Kensington. It was cleverly designed to sit above the Circle and District Line tracks, with one side only 7 feet wide. Despite its compact size, it exhibits remarkable spatial economy, demonstrating that architecture can flourish in even the most improbable locations.
Barrett’s Grove: Storybook Living in Real Life
Barrett’s Grove is a story as much as a structure. It looks like it belongs in a fairy tale, with its timber frames, woven balconies, and latticework bricks. This residential block, which was designed by Amin Taha, goes against the established conventions of city living. It strikes a balance between charm and considerate urban living, managing to be completely functional while remaining remarkably clear in its whimsical intent.
City Hall: Slanted, Sustainable, Symbolic
Perched along the Thames, City Hall’s bulbous, tilted shape almost seems to defy gravity. It maintains a significantly lower energy footprint by utilizing passive solar techniques. Foster + Partners positioned the building as a long-lasting symbol of civic leadership by designing it for operational excellence as well as aesthetics.
Crossrail Station: Transport with a Twist
Above Canary Wharf, what appears to be a futuristic greenhouse is actually a cutting-edge train station. Crossrail Station provides commuters with an unexpectedly peaceful haven, complete with a tropical garden canopy that is open to the public. It is especially helpful for reducing urban stress because it combines aesthetics and functionality in a way that is uncommon in infrastructure.
The Pagoda: London’s Slice of the Far East
The Pagoda is a Georgian building with an East Asian flair that is nestled into Blackheath like an architectural time capsule. It was first created by Sir William Chambers as a retreat for aristocrats, encased in mystery and gardens. Combining cultures, eras, and inspirations under one decorative roof is a very uncommon fusion.
Lastly, the Importance of the Unusual
These structures, which were shaped by character rather than convention, are architectural rebels in the context of urban sameness. They demonstrate that form can follow more than function through curved lines, vertical gardens, and optical illusions. It can follow philosophy, playfulness, and even emotion.
London’s unique modern architecture challenges convention and resists homogeneity, allowing us to view the city as a living, breathing canvas rather than merely a place to live or work. As a result, they transcend beyond mere structures. They turn into tales.
