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Time and again we hear about stunning architecture, mesmerizing buildings from around the world, and breathtaking structures that seem to defy gravity. Well, this article is about none of that.

Quite on the contrary, today, we take a look at the outsiders of architectural skill that challenge our perceptions of aesthetics, practicality and common sense.

Thanks to these two online groups, the “Ugly House” and “Ugly Architecture” subreddits, we have rounded up quite a collection for you to scroll through. Don’t forget to upvote your favorite posts as you go!

#1

Seems Like This Was A Mis-Steak. Okay, I’ll See Myself Out

Seems Like This Was A Mis-Steak. Okay, I’ll See Myself Out

Z9312300 Report

Matthews
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Upvoting for the title. Couldn’t have described it better!

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    #2

    Classical Style That Seamlessly Blends Into The Original Structure

    Classical Style That Seamlessly Blends Into The Original Structure

    U-GO-GURL- Report

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Small town airport called, they’d like their small town airport back please

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    #3

    It Seems So Innocent At First

    It Seems So Innocent At First

    aicrooster Report

    If you've ever spotted a weird-looking building and thought to yourself “jeez, this thing is ugly,” you can be sure you’re not the only one. There’s something about particular architecture that makes our eyes almost physically sore.

    According to architectural historian Timothy Hyde, the author of “Ugliness and Judgement on Architecture in the Public Eye,” “ugliness is an undertheorized dimension of architecture, given how common that critique is.” Hyde has seen numerous people commenting about ugly buildings to him so naturally, he took notice.

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    #4

    This Building I Saw The Other Day Kinda Looks Like A Bad Sims Starter House

    This Building I Saw The Other Day Kinda Looks Like A Bad Sims Starter House

    nyhqux Report

    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Roald Dahl the Twits, they bricked up all their windows.

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    #5

    What Would You Even Call This Color? Fugly Fuschia?

    What Would You Even Call This Color? Fugly Fuschia?

    sovereign217 Report

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    #6

    Boy Do I Love Modern Belgian Architecture!

    Boy Do I Love Modern Belgian Architecture!

    Tsyron Report

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was trying to think of a boring joke for this pic and then I yawned. Good enough.

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    Hyde argues that people always think buildings are ugly. “Particularly as a historian of modern architecture, I encounter any number of people who say ‘Oh, you’re a modern architectural historian, can you explain why would an architect ever think to do a building like that?’”

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    In the early 19th century, the architect Sir John Soane filed a long series of libel cases against critics who criticized his creations. “There was a prevailing assumption at the time that a work of architecture, a work of art, a work of literature, was an embodiment of its creator,” says Hyde. In those years, a critique of a building, something we experience on a daily basis, was seen as a personal attack on its creator.

    #7

    Built The Ugly Houses From Across The Street

    Built The Ugly Houses From Across The Street

    AxleSpark Report

    #8

    In Loganville, GA - Overseas Money Built An Entire Subdivision Of Tacky Mega Mansions. The Builder Didn’t Use An Architect And Built These All Based On His Own Vision... And Went Bankrupt

    In Loganville, GA - Overseas Money Built An Entire Subdivision Of Tacky Mega Mansions. The Builder Didn’t Use An Architect And Built These All Based On His Own Vision... And Went Bankrupt

    reddit.com Report

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    #9

    This Is Horrendous

    This Is Horrendous

    QueenMedina Report

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    Things have changed beyond recognition today. “Now what we take for granted, this modern idea that one can criticize a work of architecture or book without necessarily saying its creator is a bad or immoral person, begins to emerge as a legal concept,” Hyde explained.

    #10

    It Was A Bold Choice. That’s About All I Can Say About It

    It Was A Bold Choice. That’s About All I Can Say About It

    iamtwinswithmytwin Report

    Matthews
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Precisely. It could not have been boulder!

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    #11

    Who Thought This Window Was A Good Idea?

    Who Thought This Window Was A Good Idea?

    harperv215 Report

    #12

    “Venezia” Mega Outlet In Istanbul

    “Venezia” Mega Outlet In Istanbul

    kuntokinte Report

    Cat on a bike
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this looks like the future stronghold in a zombie movie

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    #13

    Someone Paid To Build This Monstrosity

    Someone Paid To Build This Monstrosity

    Captain__CheeseBurg Report

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like a mid tier apartment building. With terrible parking.

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    #14

    The Epicenter, Seattle, USA

    The Epicenter, Seattle, USA

    esplendidus Report

    Bethan Coleman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those balconies definitely look as though the building has been the epicentre of an earthquake

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    #15

    Looks Like It's Stomped On

    Looks Like It's Stomped On

    pnw-techie Report

    DEW
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So no light at the back of the house. If there is fire you can't get out the back or sides of the house? I would be so nervous going to bed at night. My body is tingling and I do not like the feeling.

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    #16

    Do Ugly Townhouses Qualify?

    Do Ugly Townhouses Qualify?

    da_k-word Report

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    #17

    Zurich, Switzerland (No, It's Not Abandoned)

    Zurich, Switzerland (No, It's Not Abandoned)

    paulusblarticus Report

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    #18

    When You Let Your 5 Year Old Design Your Custom Home

    When You Let Your 5 Year Old Design Your Custom Home

    reddit.com Report

    novasoup (she/her)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i mean, at least the color scheme idea was nice...

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    #19

    Someone Lied On Their Resume

    Someone Lied On Their Resume

    Chikinpatty Report

    #20

    If U Wanna Have A Big Building In The Middle Of A Hill At Least Put Some Facade

    If U Wanna Have A Big Building In The Middle Of A Hill At Least Put Some Facade

    Pretty_Track_7505 Report

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    #22

    You Like Big Windows? I Got Big Windows!

    You Like Big Windows? I Got Big Windows!

    WhatTheHosenHey Report

    #23

    This House Is Furious It Exists

    This House Is Furious It Exists

    woodiegutheryghost Report

    PickleRick
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think there are a lot of people out there that would love to have this home.

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    #24

    Holiday Home In Near Balatonszemes, Hungary

    Holiday Home In Near Balatonszemes, Hungary

    GucciMatty Report

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    #25

    Romsås, Oslo. These Buildings Are Horrible

    Romsås, Oslo. These Buildings Are Horrible

    NaeNaeGod2 Report

    Bethan Coleman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cleaning/painting the exterior surface would help. Not much admittedly.

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    #26

    Church "Saint-Pierre" In Pau, France

    Church "Saint-Pierre" In Pau, France

    Hassage Report

    Matthews
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that where Pizza Hut’s roof married Darth Vader’s helmet?

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    #27

    Miltifunctional Center aka The Cappuccino Cup (Quartucciu, Sardinia, Italy)

    Miltifunctional Center aka The Cappuccino Cup (Quartucciu, Sardinia, Italy)

    WhoReplyToMeWillDie Report

    AppletreeChild
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want a boat! No, a house! No wait, a home, but like a boat on land. Perfect!

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    #28

    Fugly

    Fugly

    DeandraReynolds_ Report

    Bethan Coleman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All those different window styles makes it look they went on online and searched for "free used windows near me".

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    #29

    Sparrow Hills, Moscow, Russia

    Sparrow Hills, Moscow, Russia

    esplendidus Report

    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else see male appendages? No? Me neither.

    Libstak
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Freud would be so proud

    Edda Kamphues
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The architects must have been compensating for something. Just saying ...

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Surely the local nickname must be Penisville!

    NopedOut
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Soviet Russia, buildings phallic YOU!

    Amanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know, ...Putin...😕 Always compensating for thAt something

    AppletreeChild
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one just feels out of place.... Imagine this on a space colony!

    Impetus
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh. When were those erected?

    Amanda Cox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How appropriate given the leader

    Zena Fisher
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Secret missile silos in plain sight

    lara
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This the famous Stalinist dildo complex.

    Robert Hebert
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    10... 9... 8... 7... Aww! Forget it!

    D Battle II
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How tall are they? Needs banana for scale.

    Mark Howell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jeff Bezos has taken up architecture

    BloodyBun
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kids be playing Ding-Dong-Dong

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing to see here folks 😝

    Sorrows Taylor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The new nuclear rockets undercover

    Dawn Watson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I dated that middle one...

    Me Always Right
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Opinion Dr. Freud? Sometimes a phallic shaped building is just a phallic shaped building.

    Shreeky
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why did seeing this cracked me up Must be some of Putin's homes

    Janet Howe
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, you don't have to be a genius to figure this out. It looks like it came out of a Fredrico Fellini (sp?) movie set.

    KittyGotClaws
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ARe you thinking of folic acid (a B vitamin)? Or did you mean phallic?

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    L̸1̶z̵
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My first thought went to the Cockbarrens... From the magicians...

    Justin Harris
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Didn’t Bezos go to space in one of these??

    Tina Girard
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Jeff Bezos' rockets

    Christy Long
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All I can picture is the Wonkavator bursting, up, up and....OUT

    Marina C Rogers
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thunderbirds are……….Noooooo!!!!

    roepi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe the architect had a message to Putin.

    crazy_stupid
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guess they house only cosmonauts

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    #30

    Torre Insignia, Mexico City

    Torre Insignia, Mexico City

    DrStranger2022 Report

    #31

    Tours Aillaud, Nanterre (France) The Renovation Of The Aillaud Towers Will Start Soon, I Would Have Preferred To See Them Destroyed But This Is Definitely An Upgrade

    Tours Aillaud, Nanterre (France) The Renovation Of The Aillaud Towers Will Start Soon, I Would Have Preferred To See Them Destroyed But This Is Definitely An Upgrade

    User87282 Report

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With the right renovation, these could be gaudi-esque.

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    #32

    I Sure Wish I Spent 8 Hours A Day At Corporate Square I

    I Sure Wish I Spent 8 Hours A Day At Corporate Square I

    brymc81 Report

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    #33

    Brand New Modern Home In SF, With Bizarre Greek Columns

    Brand New Modern Home In SF, With Bizarre Greek Columns

    ag77365 Report

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    #34

    "Unique", "Lots Of Nooks"

    "Unique", "Lots Of Nooks"

    JupiterB4Dawn Report

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am 95% certain that that roof leaks, just from seeing the photo.

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    #35

    Historical Society, Ohio

    Historical Society, Ohio

    LembeckIsStaying Report

    #36

    This Condo High Rise In North Brooklyn, Williamsburg, NYC

    This Condo High Rise In North Brooklyn, Williamsburg, NYC

    cookiekid17 Report

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    #37

    Butcher Center Basketball Arena At Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia

    Butcher Center Basketball Arena At Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia

    zaxophone_bswv Report

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    #38

    This Monstosity Of A Building

    This Monstosity Of A Building

    ibemu Report

    Karen Fernley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looks like a multi storey car park turned into flats

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    #39

    How Is This Legal

    How Is This Legal

    mannyb412 Report

    AppletreeChild
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I kinda like it... I dont like the garage and entrance, but the general shape has some postmodern scifi vibes XD

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    #40

    "Mediterranean", Like A Garbage Strike In Naples

    "Mediterranean", Like A Garbage Strike In Naples

    dan_blather Report

    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meh. They should make a garden and have rambling roses and such growing against those ugly walls.

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    #41

    Laundromat - Dubois, Wyoming

    Laundromat - Dubois, Wyoming

    allibaza Report

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    #42

    I Swear I’ve Built This House In The Sims

    I Swear I’ve Built This House In The Sims

    DoggiCorner Report

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do you think is on the top floor 🤔

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    #43

    The Scottish Parliament Sure Is Something... Especially Given That It Opened Three Years Late And At Least 10.35 Times The Estimated Budget

    The Scottish Parliament Sure Is Something... Especially Given That It Opened Three Years Late And At Least 10.35 Times The Estimated Budget

    _Fruit_Loops_ Report

    Anita Ledford
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I Love it! It encompasses everything politics is.

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    #44

    Compound? Church? Department Store?

    Compound? Church? Department Store?

    harperv215 Report

    #45

    Former Pirelli Tire Building In New Haven, CT This One Sorta Speaks For Itself

    Former Pirelli Tire Building In New Haven, CT This One Sorta Speaks For Itself

    DudeThatsSpermNoMilk Report

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    #46

    I Really Just Need Other People To See This

    I Really Just Need Other People To See This

    deatyler Report

    PickleRick
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A few minor changes could make this a nice small family home.

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    #47

    When Youve Been Playing Too Much Minecraft

    When Youve Been Playing Too Much Minecraft

    TheRealZhyted Report

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like a reconverted firehouse. Edit: actually upon zooming in, is this just a business?

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    #48

    M2 Building, Tokyo, Japan, By Kengo Kuma

    M2 Building, Tokyo, Japan, By Kengo Kuma

    esplendidus Report

    #49

    Maxed Out Mansard Roof

    Maxed Out Mansard Roof

    Jazoua Report

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    #50

    The Mixture Of Small, Round Columns And Styrofoam Padded Square Columns Looks Ridiculous

    The Mixture Of Small, Round Columns And Styrofoam Padded Square Columns Looks Ridiculous

    i_think_therefore_i_ Report

    Anita Ledford
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they went with color and some landscaping this could be saved.

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    #51

    Please Zoom In Because There’s A Lot Of Little Extra Ugly Elements

    Please Zoom In Because There’s A Lot Of Little Extra Ugly Elements

    Nycimplant2 Report

    #52

    Princess Towers In Kingston Ontario

    Princess Towers In Kingston Ontario

    Notfranklloyedwright Report

    Edda Kamphues
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm afraid the name does not quite live up to expectation.

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    #53

    3 Bedroom House, 12 Car Garage

    3 Bedroom House, 12 Car Garage

    pennylane_9 Report

    Frando Bone
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    12? So...3 cars fit into each of those garages?

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    #54

    Black Chamber On 40 Degrees Celsius

    Black Chamber On 40 Degrees Celsius

    Pretty_Track_7505 Report

    3 Owls In A Coat
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lucky Motorex getting free advertising from their biggest fans? Edit: sorry I’m blind - Motorex has become the whole house, okay. Motorex is the new fashion police. Haha. Motorex is the new Karen. Motorex is the new HOA president (help me)

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    #55

    Outskirts Of Malmö, Sweden

    Outskirts Of Malmö, Sweden

    yeahfahrenheit_451 Report

    Buren
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Put the cow in the middle of the column and it's great

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    #56

    McMansion 1952 Edition. Not The Ugliest House But It Still Looks Off

    McMansion 1952 Edition. Not The Ugliest House But It Still Looks Off

    ShiningSakura Report

    #57

    Moscow Is Full Of Stuff Like That

    Moscow Is Full Of Stuff Like That

    kunoalex Report

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    #58

    Parc Du Futuroscope, France

    Parc Du Futuroscope, France

    esplendidus Report

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    #59

    Nice Try Disneyland

    Nice Try Disneyland

    UneLulu Report

    Buren
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could this be construction hoarding fence. It's quite common nowadays to see printed façade during construction/renovation period.

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    #60

    This House Is So Incredibly Unorganized

    This House Is So Incredibly Unorganized

    chiquitaboonieta Report

    digitalin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's because it's been "maintained" cheaply and with little respect for the original architecture. The original trim (there's still some by the eaves) has largely been stripped off to install cheap, low-maintenance siding and windows. And the red addition is a completely different era. If I had gazillions of dollars, I'd love to find houses like this and restore them to what they were meant to be

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    #61

    Markus Bahlmann - Macau Old Residential Building

    Markus Bahlmann - Macau Old Residential Building

    Common-Alfalfa-8588 Report

    Zet
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i kind a like this one.. reminds me of ghibli movies

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    #62

    Portland Building; Portland, Oregon

    Portland Building; Portland, Oregon

    reddit.com Report

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    #63

    Ugly Hotel In Raleigh NC

    Ugly Hotel In Raleigh NC

    Notfranklloyedwright Report

    PickleRick
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you recognize that this was likely built in the late 50's to early 60's it's not that ugly. Dated, yes, but not ugly for the era it was designed in.

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    #64

    Looks Like It Was Built In The Sims

    Looks Like It Was Built In The Sims

    jellyschoomarm Report

    PickleRick
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe it just me but I don't hate this. Wish it had a dormer and some eves I guess.

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    #65

    Guys, All Your Photos Of 'Ugly' Buildings Are Nothing Compared To What We Have Here In Russia. What Do You Think About This City Called Grozny?

    Guys, All Your Photos Of 'Ugly' Buildings Are Nothing Compared To What We Have Here In Russia. What Do You Think About This City Called Grozny?

    kunoalex Report

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