The Sunken City of Shicheng

What many believe to be a mystery isn't actually so mysterious. Lion City, famed for sitting at the bottom of the Qiandao Lake, has a surprising history. The once thriving city, known for its powerful statue throughout all of China, now resides over 100 feet below the lake's surface. This was not due to a natural disaster or any type of destructive force unless you consider human nature to be one. The ancient city met its watery fate due to the hands of humans, specifically those who gave up the land the city once sat on to make way for modern machinery.

While there are many details surrounding the reasoning for this -- much of which we'll get into later on -- there's no denying that the fact that this city is fully preserved is a modern miracle. Although it sits deep under the water, all of its structures, statues, memorials, and archways all sit in perfect stature. Its rediscovery happened almost two decades ago and since then, divers have been repeatedly making trips below the surface to see what new aspects of the city they can explore. Inside these preserved walls lie the tale of several powerful dynasties, an ancient way of life, and some of the most stunning architectural features that are so indicative of China's history.

Full story with more pictures.

Daily Mail coverage.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 28, 2021 - Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, History, Archaeology, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, 1950s, Asia

The Azulik Hotel, Mexico

Their website.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 13, 2020 - Comments ()
Category: Aliens, Architecture, Regionalism, Avant Garde, Hotels, North America

Karate Wrecking Crew

June 1972: Phil Milner and 15 other members of the International Budo Association demolished a house in six hours, using only their bare hands, heads, and feet.

Personally, I prefer power tools.

More info: Intl Budo Assn

Palm Beach Post - June 5, 1972

Miami News - June 5, 1972

1973 Guinness Book of Records

Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 11, 2020 - Comments ()
Category: Architecture, World Records, Martial Arts, 1970s

Queen Mary’s Dollhouse

Queen Mary's Dolls' House is the largest, most beautiful and most famous dolls' house in the world. Built between 1921 and 1924 for Queen Mary, consort of George V, by the leading British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, it includes contributions from over 1,500 of the finest artists, craftsmen and manufacturers of the early twentieth century. From life below stairs to the high-society setting of the saloon and dining room, and from a library bursting with original works by the top literary names of the day, to a fully stocked wine cellar and a garden, created by Gertrude Jekyll, no detail was forgotten. The house even includes electricity, running hot and cold water and working lifts. Each room is fully furnished and waiting to be explored.

The official homepage.

Article on the library therein.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 10, 2020 - Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, Buildings and Other Structures, Domestic, Enlargements, Miniatures, and Other Matters of Scale, Royalty, 1920s, United Kingdom

Horizontal Theater

Back in 1945, Thomas Curtis Gray of Washington, DC was granted a patent for a theater in which the patrons would view the movie while lying-down. To facilitate this, the movie was projected onto a screen anchored to the ceiling.

Gray argued that his horizontal theater had several advantages over a traditional theater. First, it would be more comfortable to watch a movie while reclining. Second, a patron's view would never be obstructed by someone in front of them. And finally, the screen could be located at a closer-to-equal distance from all viewers.

I've never heard of a horizontal theater being built. But arguably his patent foreshadowed the rise of the modern-day luxury cinemas where you can relax in seats that recline almost all the way back.

Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 09, 2020 - Comments ()
Category: Architecture, Inventions, Patents, Movies, 1940s

The Wyoming Cheese House

Oct 16, 2001: In Powell, Wyoming, artist Cosimo Cavallaro covered a house inside and out with government-surplus pepperjack cheese. He melted the cheese and then sprayed it on with a pump.

Photographer Dan Cepeda, who was assigned to cover the event, offered this commentary:


The house was put on display for two weeks and then demolished.

More info: Cosimo Cavallaro

Casper Star-Tribune - Oct 9, 2016

Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 06, 2020 - Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Art, Food

Slammed door, house fell down

The strange case of Mary Adams of Stockport, England, who slammed shut her front door, causing the house to collapse into rubble.

Fort Lauderdale News - Jan 22, 1975

I was curious what the scene of the house collapse looked like today. After some searching on Google maps, I'm pretty sure her house was situated by the Park Bridge in Stockport (which is part of Greater Manchester). Though I'm not sure what side of the bridge it was on.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Jun 06, 2020 - Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, 1970s

Welcome Home!

More photos at this page.

Posted By: Paul - Sat May 23, 2020 - Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, Eccentrics, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough

How To Avoid Property Taxes

"Back in 1955, the Marquis de Maussabré took drastic action when faced with a wealth tax. He blew up his château in Airvault, near Poitiers, using 150kg of dynamite."

Posted By: Paul - Wed May 13, 2020 - Comments (1)
Category: Antisocial Activities, Architecture, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Government, 1950s

Interama

A Utopian project in Miami that never materialized.

Wikipedia article here.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Feb 29, 2020 - Comments ()
Category: Architecture, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, Government, Regionalism, 1960s