In the heart of Brazil, a man built a house shaped like a Boeing

A man in rural Brazil builds a house shaped like an airplane, turning a childhood dream into a viral sensation and symbol of creativity.

In the rural backlands of Ceará, in Brazil’s northeast, a childhood dream quite literally took flight. The protagonist of this extraordinary tale is Geraldo Araújo, a 63-year-old electronics technician who transformed his home into a full-scale airplane-shaped house. And in doing so, he has unintentionally become a local celebrity—and a bit of an internet sensation.

Despite having no formal training in architecture, Geraldo single-handedly designed every detail of his Boeing-inspired residence. The actual building, however, was a family affair: his brother-in-law, a seasoned bricklayer, helped bring the dream to life. The result? A surreal construction that looks like it was lifted straight out of a movie.

His passion for aviation began early, during childhood, and never waned. For Geraldo, this was never just about building a quirky house. It was about creating a symbol of imagination and persistence, a place that could quite literally carry the weight of his dreams.

More than just a facade

Perched along the Estrada da Areia Branca, roughly 9 miles (15 km) from the city of Porto Velho, the airplane-house quickly became a magnet for the curious. Locals, tourists, and even national media outlets have all made the trip to marvel at this handmade marvel. Before long, videos of the home began circulating online, turning Geraldo into an unexpected viral icon. In these clips, he speaks in a calm voice, laced with his northeastern Brazilian accent, drawing viewers in with his sincerity.

But this isn’t just a shell shaped like a plane. Geraldo plans to fully furnish the inside to resemble a real commercial aircraft, complete with rows of airplane seats and cabin-like details. It’s not just a house. It’s a life-sized love letter to aviation, rendered in cement, metal, and dreams.

A life dedicated to dreams

Geraldo isn’t new to creative projects. In the past, he’s made short films about rockets and imaginary pilots, showing off the same blend of whimsy and technical curiosity that led him to this current masterpiece. These days, he spends most of his time decorating his unique home and welcoming visitors from all over, eager to witness his flying house grounded in the red earth of Ceará.

“No dream is too big if you truly believe in it,” he says, a quiet smile on his face.. No dream is too big if you truly believe in it.

And perhaps that’s the real magic of the airplane-house. It stands not only as a feat of DIY ingenuity but as a beacon of freedom and creativity, reminding us that even the most improbable dreams can take off—if we’re willing to build them one brick at a time.