The German graphic designer Matthias Jung resurrected his childhood project ‘Surreal homes’ which he first constructed as a child using glue and scissors out of shear fascination. He has created some beautiful collages of homes which are structurally impossible to build. His dream-like collages capture our imagination and take us to a fantasy world. It is interesting that every piece used in the collages originates from photographs taken by him on his trips in North-Eastern Germany.
Expedition to the East Pole. Courtesy of © Matthias Jung
Through his works, he shows us that order and disorder, homogeneity and diversity must find a degree of harmony. He creates disorder in a building that is stable. His understanding of architecture , its details and the feelings it evokes are very precise. A latticed window gives a feeling of coziness, framework is soothing , antennas look like they’re pointing to something above, and concrete seems cold and foreign. But what happens when different elements with different associations collide with each other? The collages or the ‘Architectural short poems’ as he calls them show us precisely that.
On the way to Kamtchatka. Courtesy of © Matthias Jung
Abendland, which basically means countries of the West is a multilevel building with a giant balloon like stained glass floating in midair. Seems impossible, doesn’t it? Kurhaus ost meaning kurhaus east is a building on long stilts. It looks like its floating and seems impossible to build. Expedition zum ostpo meaning expedition to the east pole is a floating monument which hovers over the surface of the earth with a wheel attached below.
Zonenrandgebiet (a historic term for ‘area adjacent to the Soviet zone’). Courtesy of © Matthias Jung
The perception of Architecture , space and time are challenged through this series of ‘surreal homes’. As a designer, Jung challenges the existing and turns the whole notion of architecture upside down.“Collages are like dreams,” he says, “or maybe dreams are like collages!”
Maternity Unit. Courtesy of © Matthias Jung
By : Ruchi Patel
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.