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topsy-turvy townhouse

Wacky builder leaves neighbours in a spin by building a house UPSIDE DOWN

A BONKERS builder has shocked his neighbours by constructing an upside down house - with the roof at the bottom and the garden at the top.

Windows and doors in the Sao Mateus property in south east Brazil, are all topsy-turvy with the front door at the top and potted plants either side.

 The upside down house is propped up by its chimney
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The upside down house is propped up by its chimneyCredit: Caters News Agency
 Builder Valdevino Miguel da Silva with his wife Maria Elizabeth
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Builder Valdevino Miguel da Silva with his wife Maria ElizabethCredit: Caters News Agency
 The back of the house looks more traditional
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The back of the house looks more traditionalCredit: Caters News Agency

While the outside of the house, which was unveiled on the Saturday, is far-fetched the inside is perfectly normal, with all the traditional rooms you would expect to find in a home.

On the ground floor is the kitchen diner and a toilet while upstairs has two ensuite bedrooms.

Builder Valdevino Miguel da Silva, 65, who has been in the construction business all his adult life said: “I’ve worked for such a long time in the industry that when I retired I wanted to do something different and exciting.

“I decided to set myself a challenge by keeping active and instead of going down the traditional route of building a normal house I did it upside down.”

The real entrance is at the back of the house.

Initially, his idea didn’t go down well with his wife, Maria Elizabeth da Silva, 64, who told her husband of forty years, that she didn’t agree that it would work.

She said: “I told him not to do it because it sounded like such a crazy idea and I thought it wouldn’t look right. But it was no point arguing with him. Once he sets his sights on doing something he just goes ahead.”

Seeing as she wasn’t going to change her husband’s mind, Maria decided to throw her weight behind the project.

For three years, the couple toiled several days a week with Maria acting as Valdevino’s assistant to build the 400 square metre house.

“We worked well together and hardly argued because he is a perfectionist and his drawings were spot on,” Maria said.

“I did whatever he told me, as he has so much experience we never had any obstacles or difficulties,” she added.

With the slanted roof at the bottom some said the inside would be short on space. But Valdevino explained he has constructed the property so every area is ‘completely well used and contributes to the character of the place’.

 Luckily the toilet is the right way up
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Luckily the toilet is the right way upCredit: Caters News Agency
 Despite its outside appearance the house is normal on the inside
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Despite its outside appearance the house is normal on the insideCredit: Caters News Agency

The structure is well supported with columns running on all four corners. Even the water tank is integrated at the bottom, adding to the integrity of the building.

Not surprisingly the unusual structure has become a tourist attraction and many are stopping to take selfies in front of the distinctive dwelling.

For now, the creative landlord is looking for a like-minded backer to stretch their imagination and help him finish off his fantastic endeavour.

Valdevino said: “This is my dream project but the reality has been a bit more expensive than I thought. I’m looking for support to finish it off as I want to fit the furniture to the ceiling and turn it into a fun attraction as there is nothing like it in Brazil.”

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