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It's the perfect blend of creativity, functionality and beauty. In theory, that's what architecture should be. And often, in glossy brochures or 3D renders, that's what it is. But sometimes life (read: construction) happens, and someone's best-laid plans go straight into the sewer.

For every project that goes according to plan, another is a disaster waiting to happen. The result? Expectation absolutely not meeting reality. Poor execution, tight budgets, construction mistakes, last-minute changes and miscommunication can all render a once-beautiful blueprint pretty much futile.

Bored Panda has compiled a list of some of the funniest Render vs Reality architecture design fails spotted in the wild. Some are ambitious, others bizarre. All are reminders that no matter how good something looks on paper, the universe often has a few hilarious tricks up its sleeve.

#1

Design Submitted By The Architect vs. How The Contractor Ends Up Building It

A split image showing the architect's vision of a fish-shaped building compared to the reality of the completed structure.

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The contractor built it exactly the way the architect designed it. They just cant make their own design decisions and do what they want.

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    #2

    Växjö's New Municipal Building. Render vs. Real Building

    Architects vision vs reality: A modern glass building design contrasted with its constructed version, featuring a darker facade.

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    #3

    Residence Trea In Istanbul, Turkey

    Architects vision vs reality: A rendering of a uniquely patterned tall building with varying window sizes and shapes versus the constructed building with less intricate detailing.

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    #4

    The New Munch Museum In Oslo Opened, And It Might Not Look Exactly Like The Vision Picture

    A contemporary, angular glass building rendering next to its imposing, concrete, and glass finished reality, illustrating architects' vision.

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    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone made a painting that captures my reaction to this perfectly.

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    #5

    Spektrum In Nya Hovas. Rendering vs. Actual Result

    A split image showcasing an architect's vision of a geometrically patterned building and the plainer reality of the construction.

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    #6

    Royal Ontario Museum: Expectations vs. Reality

    An architects vision versus reality of a museum extension with geometric glass structures.

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    #7

    Pennsylvania's Previous Capitol Building

    Architects vision vs reality: A historical display detailing the Cobb Capitol building's intended design by Henry Ives Cobb, construction, and final reality.

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    #8

    Stanley Milner Library In Edmonton, Alberta

    Architects vision vs reality: An architectural rendering of a multi-tiered building with patterned windows contrasted with its solid-colored, less ornate constructed form.

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    Maudelin
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The bottom one looks like it was designed by the same person responsible for the Tesla dumpster truck.

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    #9

    Such A Big Difference Between The Rendered Photo And Reality. Prisma, Helsingborg, Sweden

    Architects vision versus reality of a faceted, modern building design overlooking water, compared to its more geometrically simplified construction.

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    Marno C.
    Community Member
    32 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A demonstration of the difference between texture and pattern.

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    #10

    Vizag International Cruise Terminal In Visakhapatnam, India

    Architects vision versus reality comparing a modern building design with a cruise ship in the background to its constructed, less elaborate version.

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    #11

    The So-Called Stadsberget In Piteå. Although It Is A Parking Garage, The Illustration Shows A Car-Free Environment With A Lot Of Cyclists And Pedestrians

    A split image displays an architect's vision for a curved, wood-slatted building versus its darker, less vibrant reality.

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    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like it is covered in a big stained sheet.

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    #12

    The Vision Of This Building Looked Great, But The Reality Is Very Disappointing

    Architects vision vs reality: A curved, multi-story building with a sleek design compared to its plainer, window-studded finished state.

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    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They saved money by lopping a floor off the tower and extending the 3rd floor (4th storey in US) to be full length, thus ruining the proportions.

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    #13

    Söders Höjder In Helsingborg, Sweden

    Architects vision vs reality: A rendering of a building with gold accents and rectangular protrusions versus the constructed version with fewer and less prominent golden elements.

    The real building doesn't shine very much, and the reality is painful. Söders Höjder in Helsingborg is Sweden's third ugliest new building in 2023 and also the building with the year's worst fake view.

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    #14

    I Wonder How The People Who Bought Apartments In This Apocalyptic-Leninist Bunker Nightmare Feel About Their Investment

    A cluster of modern, white apartment buildings with wooden accents in a rendering contrasted with their grey, concrete reality, showing architects' vision.

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    #15

    If You Can't Design A Nice Building, You Can Always Try To Hide The Building Completely. Unfortunately, It's More Difficult In Reality Than In The Picture

    Architects' vision of a curved glass building compared to the reality of the completed Åhléns and Stadium building.

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    Marno C.
    Community Member
    30 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, probably safer for birds at least.

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    #16

    Tel Aviv University’s “Building Of The Future”

    Architects' vision of a modern, curved building vs. the reality of the textured, white Checkpoint Building.

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    CD King
    Community Member
    27 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is instagram in a building form.

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    #17

    Vision vs. Reality. Platinan In Gothenburg, Sweden

    A comparison reveals an architect's vision of a terraced glass building with greenery versus its more stark reality.

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    #18

    The Same, But Different

    Architects' vision of a contemporary apartment building vs. the reality of its construction above older shops.

    rendervsreality Report

    Elladine DesIsles
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Funny, I don't think this one is dramatically different from the render, if it is not quite complete (notably the balcony railings). The angle is very different which is misleading; in the photograph, we can't seen the roof of the lower portion so it isn't clear if the roof gardens have been created or not. It does look as though the red-roofed building was meant to have been demolished or renovated, with the addition of a green roof or wall there that has not been realized, and the siding used on the newer portion is defintely more generic and less decorative. But if we adjust for perspective and allow for the possibility that the rendered gardens are not visible from the ground, there are a lot of similarities aside from the (hopefully temporary) railings.

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    #19

    The New Hotel At Halmstad’s Travel Center. It Looks Like A Haunted Hotel

    Architects' vision of a sleek, tall building vs. the reality of a more utilitarian, multi-story structure.

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    #20

    A Different Angle But The Message Is Still Clear – Horrendous

    A sleek, multi-story apartment complex rendering with commercial spaces compared to its more ordinary, completed reality, reflecting architects' vision.

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    #21

    Vågen Was Sweden’s Fifth Ugliest Building In 2022

    Architects vision of a waterside complex with a slide and beach area compared to the less vibrant, built reality.

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    #22

    A Skyscraper In Warsaw, Poland

    A split image shows an architect's vision for a tall, twisted skyscraper and the reality of the completed building.

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    #23

    “Bal Gown” In The Hague, Netherlands. It Had The Potential

    An architect's vision of a wavy, textured building facade compared to its real-life construction, showing the unexpected reality.

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    Marno C.
    Community Member
    28 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The right looks like that sheeting they put up to protect scaffolding when a building is undergoing restoration.

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    #24

    The Elite Hotel Carolina Tower At Nya Karolinska In Hagastaden, Stockholm, Sweden

    An architect's vision of a modern city square with a tall patterned building versus the actual construction site reality.

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    #25

    An Expectation Image Of Metropolia’s Myllypuro Campus vs. An Image From Reality

    A split image showcasing an architect's vision of a sleek, white, vertically striped building and its construction reality.

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    #26

    Glasiaren, Gothenburg. The Building Turned Into Something That Resembles An Old Refrigerator With Ugly Magnets

    A split image shows an architect's vision for a modern glass building compared to its completed reality with many signs.

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    #27

    Rainbow Coloured Building

    The architectural vision of a vibrant, rainbow-colored building compared to the reality of the structure, which has a more faded palette.

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    #28

    Indian Infrastructure Architecture Planning And Execution

    Architects vision versus reality for a contemporary railway station with a sweeping glass roof, compared to its more conventional constructed form.

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    #29

    Indian Infrastructure Architecture Planning And Execution

    Architects vision versus reality of a multi-level transport hub and green space, juxtaposed with the built reality along a river.

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    #30

    Indian Infrastructure Architecture Planning And Execution

    Architects vision versus reality for a metro station designed with a green leaf-like facade, shown in an urban setting.

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    #31

    Located In Central Halmstad

    Side-by-side images present an architect's vision for a sleek building and the somewhat drab reality.

    In order to sell projects, they brighten up the facades and exaggerate the number of pedestrians and cyclists in their render. They also invent greenery that doesn't exist.

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    #32

    The Plans For The Marble Arch Mound On The Left Regarded Spectacular In Comparison With The Way It Had Really Been Constructed

    A vision for architects featuring a green hill and white building vs. the reality with fences and people.

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    #33

    Funny How Buildings Just Change Color

    A split image showing an architects vision for a tall, modern building on the left, and the less impressive reality on the right.

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    #34

    Sven-Harry’s Art Museum In Vasaparken, Stockholm

    An architect's vision of a gold and green building contrasts with the reality of a gold building with a delivery truck.

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    #35

    The Vision And Reality Of Kv. Poolen The New Bathhouse In Frösunda, Sweden

    Architects vision vs reality: Curved, modern building with an open atrium in render vs a more subdued, less open actual building.

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    #36

    The Render One Looked Way Better. Scandic Central In Örebro, Sweden

    Architects vision vs reality: A striking building with intricate wooden facade and glass in render vs a concrete and wood reality.

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    #37

    A New Landmark Was Built In Kallhäll, Stockholm

    Architects vision vs reality: Tall building with colorful, varied balconies in render vs actual building with muted, less varied balconies.

    The result angered the residents who had expected a white house. Those responsible replied that they saw no problem with the illustrations: "We have done what we said we would do. Not everyone can love a house."

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    #38

    Elbe Philharmonic Hall. In The Renders Of This Project, Hinged Glass Facade Resembles A Perfect Blanket, Almost Weightless. However, In Reality The Facade Does Not Show The Same Effect

    A split image shows an architect's vision for a modern building and the reality of its construction.

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    #39

    From Render To Reality

    A split image shows an architect's vision for a modern house and the reality of the completed house at night.

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    #40

    The Airbnb vs. The Ad!

    A split image showing an architects vision of a brick building called The Hallmark, compared to its starker, less detailed reality.

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    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually prefer the implementation to the render. It's not pretty,but it is a strong, functional, building. It looks like and old warehouse or factory from the late 1800's that has been repurposed for housing or offices. The render is just tasteless.

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    #41

    The Picture In The Ad Clearly Is The Actual Building Behind It. [oc]

    A vision of a renovated house for lease next to the actual dilapidated building, highlighting architects expectations versus reality.

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    #42

    The Real Estate Listing Photo vs. Reality. (Gray Building Has Been There Since 2016.)

    Architects vision vs reality: A comparison of an elegant multi-story building with lush landscaping and its more ordinary, overgrown real-world twin.

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    #43

    Sara Cultural Center In Skellefteå, Sweden. In Reality It Looks Very Sad

    A split image shows an architect's vision for a modern building and the less refined reality of its completion.

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    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not terribly exciting in the render, tbh.

    #44

    This Is A Building Concept For A Hofbräuhaus (German Beer Garden-Type Restaurant Chain) In Buffalo, But Failed To Be Built Correctly Or Finished At All

    A charming European-style building rendering contrasted with its less impressive, under-construction reality, showcasing architects' vision.

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    #45

    This Monstrosity Of Selma Center In Gothenburg, Sweden

    A modern building design with wavy windows and a similar finished building, highlighting architects' vision versus reality.

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    #46

    Malmö’s New District Court In Sweden. Vision vs. Reality

    Architects vision versus the actual built reality of a modern building with a distinct base and glass upper floors.

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    #47

    Totalitarian New Box In Kungsängen, Sweden. The Gray Color Looks Way Worse Than It Should Be

    A collage showing the architect's vision for a building with balconies and greenery versus the stark concrete reality.

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    #48

    Citygate (Getingboet) In Gothenburg, Sweden. Those Windows Look Really Different

    A split image shows an architect's vision for a tall building and the reality of the completed building from different angles.

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    #49

    Kalmar House Stella In Sweden. At Least They Tried?

    A split image shows an architect's vision for two modern buildings by the water and the reality of the constructed buildings.

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    #50

    Vision Picture For Brandbergen Centre. It Didn’t Turn Out Exactly As Planned

    Comparison of an architectural vision for a multi-story building with a shopping center and its grey, starker reality with a snowy foreground.

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    #51

    Reality Is Bleak Compared To The Rendering World

    A vision versus reality comparison of apartment buildings where the architectural vision appears more compact than the built reality.

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    #52

    The Completed Mast Quay Phase II Built-To-Rent Development Is Substantially Different From The Scheme That Was Originally Permitted

    An architects vision for a tall, modern apartment complex with vibrant balconies compared to its more subdued, grey reality under construction.

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    #53

    In The Renderings, There Are Significantly More People Than Cars On The Roads, But In Reality It Is The Opposite

    An architectural vision of curved, modern buildings versus the reality of their construction, showing a slight deviation in design.

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    #54

    Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Headquarters: Expectation vs. Reality

    A conceptual architectural vision of a modern building with a large glass facade contrasted with the actual constructed, striped skyscraper.

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    #55

    The Project vs. The Result. From A Gov Building In Spain

    Architects vision vs reality: A tree in an underground space, from lush render to sparse reality with visible AC units.

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    #56

    When You Want To Build A Triumphal Arc But Your Budget Is 50$

    Architects vision vs reality: Side-by-side images of the expected grand arch for a state fair next to the actual, simplified construction.

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    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This brings to mind the 'henge' from Spinal Tap. Everyone knew it was embarrassing, but they'd paid for it so they used it anyway.

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    #57

    Apartment Building In La

    Architects vision vs reality: A split image showing an architectural rendering of a modern building next to its less appealing real-life counterpart.

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    #58

    This Polish Hotel's Picture On Trivago vs. In Real Life

    Architects vision vs reality: A vibrant green hotel in a residential area, with a large industrial cooling tower in the background.

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    #59

    This Disappointing Building In Gothenburg, Sweden

    Architects vision vs reality: Modern building with geometric balconies rendered vs actual building with standard, uniform balconies.

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    #60

    Well, That's Close

    A large billboard displaying an architectural vision of a sleek, wavy building next to the under-construction reality, which looks more angular.

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    #61

    Seestadt Hochhäuser - Erwartung Und Ergebnis

    Side-by-side comparison of an architectural vision for a modern building with balconies and greenery, and its less vibrant, grey reality.

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