They do seem to be a bit of a pointless shape and as Toddy pointed out, they're not laid in a very sympathetic fashion - far too regimented. Tucked away in a woody glen these would be lovely but laid out in what looks like a carpark, they're an eyesore.
This is what I think of when someone says "Hobbit House":
(details here: http://www.simondale.net/house/)
This is what I think of when someone says "Hobbit House":
(details here: http://www.simondale.net/house/)