In the 55-plus years since the Summer of Love kicked off in San Francisco, many of the hallmarks of the ’60s have disappeared from everyday life. Though we don’t see muttonchop sideburns and bell-bottoms as much anymore, the influence of the counterculture has left its indelible mark on architecture. Most major cities now include architects that show an affinity for bold colors and patterns or an appreciation of the elements. The result is a smattering of psychedelic houses around the world, outfitted in colors so unusually conceived that you’d swear something seemed off..

To some people, these mind-bending buildings characterized by swirling shapes and vibrant colors are more than architectural wonders—they’re home. Some, like Casa Orgánica in Mexico and The Bloomhouse in the United States, lean into the shroomy-aesthetic with their organic curves. Other structures, like the Reversible Destiny Lofts in Japan and Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Casa Batlló in Spain, have the kaleidoscopic qualities of an acid trip. These groovy abodes are beloved by some and disdained by others, though, no matter what, they usually become crown jewels in their cities’ architectural collection. Below, we unpack eight of the most psychedelic houses around the world that are most definitely worth visiting.

El Jardin, Santa Barbara, California (designed by Jeff Shelton, 2014)

Never one to be constrained by building codes, architect Jeff Shelton manages to build Santa Barbara’s funkiest homes while still adhering to the city’s strict Spanish-Moorish aesthetic guidelines. The result is residences like El Jardin, a psychedelic take on Southern Spanish architecture that boasts views of the Santa Barbara Riviera and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Complete with colorful glass details, wavy ironwork, and bespoke tiles, El Jardin is a Seussian triumph.

The Bloomhouse, Austin, Texas (designed by Dalton Bloom and Charles Harker, 1973)

This Austin home designed by two University of Texas architecture students is an ode to the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The hippie palace’s curves were constructed out of polyurethane and coated in stucco to mimic the flow of the elements —aside from the rectangular back doors, there is no straight line in the entire house. Rescued from disarray in 2017 by former West Lake Hills mayor Dave Claunch, the home was restored to its former glory. Now a vacation rental, you too can stay at the Bloomhouse.

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