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Bad design comes in all shapes and sizes. Even if we agree that taste is subjective, we can't help but scratch our heads looking at weird furniture, pointless products or just really, really awful buildings. Sometimes designers can have so many ideas that they end up choosing them all at once. And it shows.

For our entertainment, lots of terrible building examples have been documented on this Twitter account. As the creator said, "I review cheaply designed buildings online. Loves good architecture and loathes walmartification and awful design." From overly busy facades and carpeted pool rooms to doors that lead to nowhere—the list goes on.

Bored Panda has collected some of the worst house design hiccups shared by the account, so keep scrolling, upvote your favorites and let us know what you think in the comments!

The founder of this account describes himself as a Google street-view globetrotter who reviews tasteless buildings online. As stated on the official website, "You can put down a bad book; you can avoid listening to bad music; but you cannot miss the ugly tower block opposite your house". And the worst of the worst examples end up getting posted on this account.

Huge ugly mansions, awful interior design, and walmartification—short for turning something into a Walmart—are just a few things that the curator of the account loathes. And not only the creator but also the people watching. Since joining Twitter in 2019, the account has gained more than 53K followers who enjoy tacky buildings and their interiors being publicly shamed. And awful design definitely deserves it.

How could we define what constitutes "bad architecture"? There are a few basic architectural concepts that explain why some houses just look wrong. We can start by looking at the mass, which is the largest portion of a building: "The primary mass is the largest shape in the building block. The secondary masses are the additional shapes that form the facade of a building." So if there are too many of them, the house has no concept and looks bizarre. Also, buildings need balance. Good-looking houses are usually symmetrical or asymmetrical. Any other way of designing them could result in conflicting rooflines and other architectural elements.

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Even though today we have countless tools to make a design work, a few mistakes still end up getting made quite too often. According to Build It, it's not a good idea to save some money on parts of construction that will be difficult to upgrade later, like bricks or roof tiles. Also, employing too many different materials could be one of the reasons a house turns out wrong. It can make it seem overly "busy" and distract from other features.

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Something
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks really fun for dressing up in a mermaid costume and crawling/slithering around, but it's not very useful as a shower.

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Another thing to have in mind is the proportions of the house. You should have a well-prepared brief that shows accurate numbers on the amount and size of the rooms. Failing to do that is a pretty classic mistake which "can cause awkward furniture arrangements and wasted space due to circulation paths across a room." Not being able to adapt to the existing landscape is also a common error. Quite too often, people don't think about the impact of the trees or hills to get the best views that the location offers.

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Moreover, rhythm is one of the most important aspects that define a properly designed house. If the style is inconsistent, if there is no flow throughout the rooms, it can make us feel uncomfortable and annoyed. Since a balanced building is easy to understand and look at, we can immediately detect if something seems off.

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Brunettechameleon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might be useful for places with heavy snow. It still looks kinda weird though.

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Now that we've established what a bad house looks like, let's see how it affects us as human beings. When you see an example of bad architecture, you feel it. Low ceilings, lack of windows, or dead-end corridors can make your head spin. You might even get a headache and look for the quickest way to get out of that place. BBC Future states that "buildings and cities can affect our mood and well-being, and that specialized cells in the hippocampal region of our brains are attuned to the geometry and arrangement of the spaces we inhabit."

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Kirsten Kerkhof
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the owner likes you, they'll open the right-hand door. If they don't, well, down you go!

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Thanks to modern psychological studies, now we know the kind of urban environments people find stimulating. It seems that city life might be one of the reasons why people are prone to mental illness and stress. Colin Ellard, a researcher at the University of Waterloo in Canada, said, "When we ask people about their stress, they say it’s no big deal yet when we measure their physiology, we discover that their responses are off the charts. The difficulty is that your physiological state is the one that impacts your health."

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AndyR
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't live in a building with cladding after Grenfell Tower.

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One of the most important findings of Ellard's research was that people are strongly affected by building facades: "If the facade is complex and interesting, it affects people in a positive way; negatively if it is simple and monotonous." And it's no surprise when you think about our cities where colorful blocks are constantly getting replaced by dull and cold spaces.

In a previous article, Bored Panda spoke to an expert in urban planning about what separates good and bad building design. According to her, “There are circumstances where the architecture should create a sense of calmness and safety, yet there are instances in which it is not bad if the architecture provokes us and makes us think, ‘Why don't I like the look of this building?’”

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Of course, everyone has the right to express themselves when it comes to their private property. “Quirky architecture comes from our innate desire to demonstrate our uniqueness. However, not everyone who has the means has an average taste for aesthetics. Yet, as long as it is for the people who inhabit or use their private space, I mean why not?” she told Bored Panda.

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Lyone Fein
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not a house. It is an office building: the world headquarters of Longenberger Baskets.

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The urban planning expert was kind enough to give some advice on what good design should feel like: “Firstly, even though I often advocate for unconventionally looking buildings, I do not encourage purposefully provocative architecture. The building should be designed with the intention to accommodate and protect society. It should create a sense of safety but not be boring.”

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Rosemary Probert
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like they decided to fill in the pool. Or is that a pool cover made to look like grass?

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Architecture should be neither bizarre nor boring, neither ugly nor impractical. It should be good. If you're building a new house, remember that taste is subjective but there's no denying the flaws once you see them.

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Jack Holt
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how many tiny houses for the homeless he could've built with all that money. Seems wrong for a preacher to have such an opulent residence when we know it's from his parishoner's tithes.

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King Kashue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's a "preacher" in name only. He's a con man and a grifter and a sociopath hiding behind the religious snake oil of some of the worst theology in history. The 'Prosperity Gospel' is some of the most anti-Scriptural garbage in history - its also a uniquely American perversion that captures some of the worst elements of US society.

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Walking On Sunshine
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tax churches! JFC! And let's not forget that this is the same "Christian" that wouldn't allow hurricane victims in his church.

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Royer Potts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look up Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, if you get a chance. Some of the things he’s done in Houston keep hope for humanity from being lost.

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Cori
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"What would Jesus do?" Not this. Definitely not this.

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Dave In MD
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you ever wanted proof as to why "religious" organizations should pay taxes. Here you go.

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Joanie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am Christian and this is just wrong from all angles. The man preaches according to the bible, yet this show of opulence reveals his lack of humility. He needs a new profession.

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

insert something about camels and eyes of needles here.

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Angelar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Remove the egg from an ovulating camel. The egg is fertilized with sperm from a male camel. The tiny camel is the size of a grain of salt. The fertilized egg is put on a microscope slide in a drop of amniotic fluid. The tiny camel is passed through the needle’s eye. The fertilized egg is then implanted into the womb of the mother camel. When it is born, it will be a camel that has gone through the eye of a needle. +

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L. Murphy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just picturing Jesus trashing it with a hammer, then setting it on fire.

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Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who TF needs this much house? I mean, really. One couldn't possibly use or need all that space. It's just ego at this point.

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K R
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1st time seeing this. So disgusted right now. Perception of him and his whole deal has instantly changed...well he does say, "run your own race" wtf.

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kjorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if people are moronic enought to give preacher's money it's their fault. Vatican do the same thing. leader of ALL religion are there for the power and money it gives them

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Kona Pake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What do you expect, it wasn’t his money that paid for it all.

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TJay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish people would wise up and quit spending their cash on these false prophets/profits

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Annette Easton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Joel Osteen's house also has one of the worst owners I've seen.

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C C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like somebody has a one-way bus ticket to Hell

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sickening piece of crap. I'm talking about the man, not the house.

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DCB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the idiots that give him money...now you know where it goes

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Arenite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn’t Jesus say something about “give all your money to the poor and go out to do God’s work”? Oh yeah, and about rich men and the eye of a needle?

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Mingi Football
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lost respect for him. Seriously, who really needs a house this huge??!!

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Atir Reyam
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is unbelievable. He’s not a good steward of the gifts he’s been given, and is a bad example of a man of God.

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I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i really do not understand why they build them so big

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Denny Cwiek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's satan's hireling, being rewarded for all the souls he leads astray.

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Cynthia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s a universal consciousness that is beginning to awaken and perhaps at some point religion will be outlawed. As it should be.

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Judith Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that dude has some big balls. Nobody cares that he had this built? It is amazingly ugly

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Mary Jaye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Joel O. is a pretender. he spends his money on his teeth.

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Hugh Walter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you keep adding things to the - already finalized - brief . . . "Oh, and a snooker room, oh and a games room, oh and a chapel, oh and a swimming pool, oh and an indoor range....! Won't save them from the same reckoning as the rest of us when the end comes.

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Tyler Bt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I would rather stay in The Conjuring house than ever go here.

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Helmut Kok
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a true man of God. Or as other call it a conartist

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Nazda Pokmov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the angles of the roofs are to keep the demons from coming don the chimneys.

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JuniorCJ82
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why in God's name would a FAMILY OF FOUR need a house that big?!?!

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April Royal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ummm, not too sure why everyone is jumping in a dog fight to criticize. Why the assumption that his house is paid for with tithe money? He and his wife are both best selling authors....the money they earn and how they spend it is really not anyone else's business. You may think that church is filled with hypocrites, but so is the grocery store,,,let the downvoting begin. 

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Shinyravengirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What have they given back? Have they built low income housing? Shelters? Tiny house communities for veterans? Anything except their mega church and this monstrous house?

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Carbonel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like a factory or mill that’s been remodelled as a house but they’ve opted to retain most of the features, or perhaps not finished the remodel. Don’t really see anything wrong with that either way.

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No this isn't medieval times, this is a house.

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SlothyK8
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like it started as a double wide mobile home and just went to hell from there....

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Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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