Between fireworks and thunder, it can be hard to watch your best friend cower and howl when noises beyond your control dominate the soundscape. This noise-cancelling kennel aims to provide shelter from auditory storms, an more robust alternative to hiding in the closet.

Developed by Ford Europe, the structure employs a combination of sound insulation and, critically, the technology used for noise-cancellation in the company’s automobiles.

Adapted to frequencies that most impact canine companions, microphones pick up the sounds of explosions and other loud bursts, then counteracts them with mitigating frequencies.

A combination of soundproof ventilation, acoustic isolation panels and speakers alter the incoming soundscape to create a refuge, all packaged within an angular minimalist kennel frame.

Do you prefer the quiet calm of a house on the water or the daring adventure of a house hanging off of a cliff or an uncanny underground hoome? A giant space in which to sprawl or a tiny nook in which to seek solitude? Whether you aspire to something exotic and unique or comfortable and cozy there is a dream home here for you. Sorted into eight types, here are seventy of the most amazing, unusual, offbeat and unique houses in the world.

1) Unique Beach and Lake Houses: What could be more relaxing and peaceful than an extended stay at a house on the water? How about: a stay in one of these architecturally amazing beach and lake houses that defy conventions, buck traditions and in one case represents the realization of an amazing designer’s lifelong engineering aspirations.

2) Dizzying Cliff and Mountain Houses: If beach houses are relaxing these precarious structures are anything but. Perched on the edges of daunting precipices these cliff and mountain homes are some of the scariest places you could possibly think to live. Some have survived for centuries while others are (quite literally) on the brink of destruction.

3) Crazy Condos and Townhouses: Of course, not everyone can afford an extra lake house or to live with an amazing view from a mountain home. While condos and townhouses may have the reputation of being small, secondary and boring these awesome examples defy conventions and embody both brilliantly creative and livable design concepts.

4) Absurdly Cramped and Crowded Houses: OK, so some of us can’t even afford a condo per say but don’t dismay – there is certainly a strange and small house somewhere with which you can make your mark. Whether you want to live on a bus, in the skinniest house in the world, a tiny cabin on wheels or an airlifted box is a question only you can answer.

5) Glittering Greenhouses and Glass Houses: Many of us value our privacy and make it a priority when seeking out the perfect house – but some people do the opposite. Ranging from glass shacks to beautiful greenhouses here are some great examples of extremely extroverted designs revolving around openness, transparency and visual clarity.

6) Haunted Houses and Hotels: For the more adventurous homeowner and intrepid traveler there are a number of places where you might pay far less (or significantly more) because of rumors of hauntings. These notorious structures have been the subjects of speculation and in some cases filming by paranormal enthusiasts and thrill seekers.

7) Historic and Beautiful Lighthouses: There is something compelling about lighthouses, literal beacons in the night from days gone by when they served vital functions. As a building type light houses have become virtually extinct. Most of those that still exist have been converted to other functions such as cozy little hotels or even conventional homes.

8) Uncanny Dollhouses and Doghouses: Of course not every house is built or fit for human occupancy – and these miniature structures represent some particularly engaging designs at a much smaller scale. These crazy dog and doll houses range from inexpensive, humorous and endearing to costly, glamorous and downright disturbing.

The complete list of links from above:

Amazing Houses 1: Beach and Lake Houses

Amazing Houses 2: Cliff and Mountain Houses

Amazing Houses 3: Condos and Townhomes

Amazing Houses 4: Cheap and Crowded Houses

Amazing Houses 5: Greenhouses and Glass Houses

Amazing Houses 6: Haunted Houses and Hotels

Amazing Houses 7: Lighthouses

Amazing Houses 8: Dog and Doll Houses

(Check out our complete collection of 70 Amazing Houses from Around the World.)

There’s just something about smaller-than-normal houses that brings out the kid in all of us. Whether you’re spoiling your kids with a crazy doll house or pampering your pooch with a luxurious doghouse, these little versions of real houses are enough to keep you going “Awwww” for hours.

The Hase Weiss doll house is perfect for budding designers or kids who just can’t make up their minds. The pieces are all sold separately, so you can make up new combinations of big rooms, small rooms and stairs to make a totally unique doll house every time.

If you just can’t stand to be away from your dog or see him panting in the summer heat, the Cool Pet House is here to help. It’s a little air conditioned pet house with its own working lights and a wireless webcam. See if you can get any work done when you’re able to watch your cute little puppy sleeping all day thanks to the constant video feed directly to your computer.

For kids who are more interested in Gehry and Ban than Barbie and Ken, there’s this high-style doll house. The Villa Sibis is made of birch wood and features removable plexi-glass front and back pieces. The tiny modern artists who live inside must be thrilled.

Ok, so this doll house isn’t exactly “smaller than normal,” but it’s too good not to mention. Canadian artist Heather Benning took an old abandoned farmhouse and turned it into this beautiful life-size doll house. She protected her creation with plexi-glass and left it there as an art installation.

If you’ve got large piles of cash just burning a hole in your pocket, you would always blow about $31,000 on a ridiculously expensive house for your dog. Like this Hello Kitty monstrosity that’s dripping with crystal beads and bad taste.

Or you could take that cash on down to FAO Schwartz, where you can spend at least $10,000 having your home replicated and made into a doll house. Included in your purchase is a visit from a team who will come inside the house to observe and record everything in it to make sure their scaled-down model is perfect. And since you’re spending as much as a down payment on a real house, it should be perfect.

How many times has your dog told you that he could really use his own space? Give him all the space he needs with one of these custom dog houses. They include window treatments, wall and floor coverings, and climate control. Your dog might have to get a job to pay for it, though: they start at $5,500.

Amazing Houses 1: Beach and Lake Houses

Amazing Houses 2: Cliff and Mountain Houses

Amazing Houses 3: Condos and Townhomes

Amazing Houses 4: Cheap and Crowded Houses

Amazing Houses 5: Greenhouses and Glass Houses

Amazing Houses 6: Haunted Houses and Hotels

Amazing Houses 7: Lighthouses

Amazing Houses 8: Dog and Doll Houses