The Mushroom House

It's pretty gutsy of an architecture and interior design professor to let his students help design his own house, but sometimes, it works out to create something extraordinary-- like in the case of the late Professor Terry Brown. The Cincinnati-based architect allowed 35 of his students from the Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning to help him re-fashion one of his homes, and in the process, created the city's most loved and most whimsical house, affectionately known to locals as The Mushroom House. All of the detail didn't come easy, though. The one-bedroom home was a work in constant progress between 1992 and 2006. Brown, who reportedly bought the house in 1989 for a cheap $36,000, used it as an office while it was being built, and kept it as a second residence from 2006 until his death in 2008. It's hard to believe that it started as a simple bungalow-style home from 1913, given the insane detail on it now. The distinctive look was inspired by nature, with its organic textures, and you'll find elements like colored glass, various twisting metals, wood, even seashells and ceramics incorporated into the building.  Currently, it's not on the market, but the property is valued at around $204,000-- which is incredible for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath home that's only 1,260 feet square, especially in Cincinnati's Hyde Park neighborhood,known more for its large, antique-y mansions. It just goes to show the power of creating something individual and unique that makes you happy. You might not be able to go inside, but grab a drink from Coffee Emporium and wander across the street to inspect the incredible detail up close! -Roadtrippers Over 10 years, nationally recognized architect Terry Brown, spent creating this amazing house/sculpture. Using more than 35 former students from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, where Mr. Brown was an adjunct assistant professor, they helped build circular steel steps, deck rails of wood shingles, stained glass windows, tiled ceilings... Using a variety of materials, wood, colored glass, shell, ceramics, and various metals, Mr. Brown crafted them into irregular shapes, color, volume and texture. This is a private residence so just one to admire from the sidewalk!