Chen Tianming, a 43-year-old resident of Guizhou Province in southwestern China, has transformed his home into an audacious 11-story structure that defies official demolition orders. His whimsically-built tower, resembling a fantastical creation from a Dr. Seuss book, emerges boldly from fields of knee-high grass, drawing the eye of curious tourists and locals alike.
The tower is a daring arrangement of dark red wood, ascending in size with each floor while appearing precarious, as if it could be influenced by nature's whims with a mere gust of wind. Inside, the ambiance is equally disordered; utility poles prop up the ceilings, and unsteady homemade ladders connect the floors, all while an array of power strips dangles from beams above. Giant buckets of collected rainwater add both functionality and an intriguing flair, supporting the tower's weight.
Though critics deem the building unsafe and shabby, Chen remains undeterred. He elegantly ascends the makeshift ladders, showcasing the unique characteristics of his abode—a fifth-floor reading nook and an open-air tearoom on the sixth floor—while taking in sweeping views of standardized apartment buildings that contrast starkly with his own unorthodox creation.
"They say the house is shabby, that it could be blown down by wind at any time," he remarked during a recent visit, a statement which underscores the mixed sentiments surrounding his rambunctious living arrangement. Yet, despite the risks, the tower stands firm, a testament to individual creativity amidst a landscape of conventionality, embodying both resilience and a spirit of defiance.
