Looming above Bangkok's skyline like a giant Dumbo, this is the Chang building, a thick-legged monster with a porthole for an eye and a pair of tusks more often seen framing the trunk of Thailand's national animal.
Bangkok's second claim to dubious architectural fame is the "robot" building, actually the United Overseas Bank, a vision of cartoon craziness modelled on a toy robot and dating back to 1986.
Where to see it: On South Sathorn road, a 15-minute walk from the Surasak Skytrain station.
Known as the "koala" building for the bear shapes that hug each tower's circumference, this is Hong Kong's Lippo Centre, completed in 1988. The uniquely cuddly twin towers are 186m tall and were intended to appear less harsh on the eye than your average skyscraper.
Where to see it: Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
The futuristic shape and silver orb of the Fuji tower in Tokyo could have been lifted from the set of a Seventies' sci-fi film. The sea of cars beneath Fuji Television's headquarters and the night-time lasers only add to the industrial wasteland feel. The 32m wide globe is an observation deck.
Where to see it: Walk from the Odaiba Kaihin Koen monorail station.
The Brutalist-style Genex Tower is an enormous city gate welcoming new arrivals from Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport. It is 115m tall and has two raw concrete towers connected by a small bridge and a 360 degree restaurant. It scores extra retro points for its dated signage.
Where to see it: In the Novi Beograd district, Belgrade, Serbia.
This solar furnace has a curved wall of mirrors that sucks in light to generate heat. The tower's warped reflection of the surrounding French countryside creates a striking image. It is the largest solar furnace in the world and opened in 1970.
Where to see it: Visitors are welcome at Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via in the Pyrenees. Reach it by train from Villefranche-de-Conflent through to Mont-Louis.
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