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Let’s talk architecture and let's talk Belgium. What do these two things have in common? Well, you probably need no introduction of Belgium being a land of architectural wonder, with several shifts in design throughout its history creating a rich cross-section of European heritage and design. From Art Nouveau to modernism, the country is known for nailing its architecture.

Except we’re talking the other side of the coin—”Ugly Belgian Houses”—an enigmatic, humorous and eccentric project run by Hannes Coudenys. The project is dedicated entirely to the uglier the better buildings, dwellings, and all kinds of roofs over one’s head.

With 139k Instagram followers, “Ugly Belgian Houses” follows the motto which reads “Better to be ugly than to be boring,” and you can totally see why. But still, don’t try this at home, everyone!

Psst! After you’re done, be sure to check out our previous posts with Belgian architectural mishaps and faux pas here and here.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | UglyBelgianHouses.tumblr.com

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#2

Tried To Call The Architect For An Explanation But He Was Bus-Y

Tried To Call The Architect For An Explanation But He Was Bus-Y

uglybelgianhouses Report

#3

Residence Evil

Residence Evil

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To find out more about “Ugly Belgian Houses” and how it evolved since we last featured the project a year ago, Bored Panda talked to its creator Hannes Coudenys. Hannes is a media personality with many projects, from owning Hurae creative digital studio to running “Ugly Belgian Houses” and “Like My Ride,” to vlogging on YouTube.

Hannes told us that “Ugly Belgian Houses” has amazingly evolved throughout the year, amassing 139k followers. “I have been visiting a lot of the houses and had some really nice conversations.”

“Meanwhile I am working on a second edition of the book, so I have to call all the owners again,” Hannes said and added “I’ve just had a call with two people who hate me and don’t want their house in my book. I can understand that,” he smiled.

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#4

The Ugly Belgian House Is Slowly Wrapping Around Its Prey

The Ugly Belgian House Is Slowly Wrapping Around Its Prey

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#6

They Recently Discovered The Great Garage Of Giza

They Recently Discovered The Great Garage Of Giza

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When asked why “Ugly Belgian Houses” has gained almost a cult following online, Hannes believes it comes down to “The fact that we all have a certain opinion on what makes a house beautiful. Or ugly. And the fact that these opinions are only opinions.”

The author added that it seems like a lot of Belgians agree that “we have a lot of ugly Belgian houses.”

When asked about the slogan “Better to be ugly than to be boring,” which greets users on the project's Instagram page, Hannes said that “In Belgium, you have a lot of suburbs and housing projects that all look the same and are in fact very boring.” He added: “Something you see in Holland as well. I prefer ugly than these boring creatures.”

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Hannes would describe a typical ugly Belgian house as something with “its own quirky uniqueness; A special roof, a special stone, a special decoration, we want to express ourselves via our house.”

#8

Minimalism In Belgium

Minimalism In Belgium

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Sowieso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this one of these projects where they make a child's drawing reality?

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#9

Neighbors, Everybody Needs Goth Neighbors

Neighbors, Everybody Needs Goth Neighbors

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

Needs a good clean and a coat of paint otherwise it could be interesting

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#11

Cut My House Into Pieces

Cut My House Into Pieces

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#12

Meh

Meh

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Meeow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This also need a pressure washer deep clean, it would be beautiful again

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#13

It Is In The Darkness That One Finds The Sh**e

It Is In The Darkness That One Finds The Sh**e

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#15

When You’ve Seen The Trailer And You Know The Movie Sucks

When You’ve Seen The Trailer And You Know The Movie Sucks

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#16

Just Another Brick In The Wall

Just Another Brick In The Wall

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#17

Peak #uglybelgianhouses

Peak #uglybelgianhouses

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#23

(Turn Around) Every Now And Then I Get A Little Bit Tired Of These Houses

(Turn Around) Every Now And Then I Get A Little Bit Tired Of These Houses

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#25

Optihouse Prime

Optihouse Prime

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#27

Now That’s A Mancave

Now That’s A Mancave

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Myrtille rat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol it looks like it's a wink to Massabielle grotto ( a catholic pilgrimage place in the French pyrénées) 612206-gro...2be8b4.jpg 612206-grotte-massabielle-lourdes-vierge-serait-60c718b2be8b4.jpg

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#28

Ready For The Third Wave

Ready For The Third Wave

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Allows you to feel seasick without the inconvenience of being on water

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#30

Some Houses Never Grow Up

Some Houses Never Grow Up

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#32

From The Movie Finding Doory

From The Movie Finding Doory

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Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could project movies onto that in the summer and charge rent for the audio headsets.

#33

Black & Why?te

Black & Why?te

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#34

Now They’ve Gone Too Farao

Now They’ve Gone Too Farao

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, the rooms are a weird shape but you'll stay young for all eternity

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#35

I Believe I Can Cry

I Believe I Can Cry

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#36

The Fatiron Building

The Fatiron Building

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#37

Robokot

Robokot

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Ludwig Michiel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

About the caption: "kot" is Flemish (Belgian Dutch) for shed. (in an other context it can also mean student room)

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#38

Cut My House In To Pieces This Is My Last Carport

Cut My House In To Pieces This Is My Last Carport

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#39

Nice Trick To Sell Your Ugly Belgian House

Nice Trick To Sell Your Ugly Belgian House

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#40

At Least The Architect Made His Point

At Least The Architect Made His Point

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#41

Welcome In The Neighborhoodie

Welcome In The Neighborhoodie

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The expensive alternative to simply buying blinds for your bedroom window

#43

Moved Back In With My Parents

Moved Back In With My Parents

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#44

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Roof Without A Room

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Roof Without A Room

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#46

A Game Of Sh*tris

A Game Of Sh*tris

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm intrigued by the broken glass panel in the front door. Burglars trying to get in or owner desperate to get out?

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#47

I Don’t Pink So

I Don’t Pink So

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#48

I Visited One Of The Houses For Eenbe

I Visited One Of The Houses For Eenbe

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Ludwig Michiel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A little bit of context: the creator of "Ugly Belgian Houses" has a part in a show on Belgian tv channel "Eén" where he visits people to ask them to react to their house being featured on his blog.

#50

Caption This

Caption This

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#51

Yellow. It Ain't Me You're Looking For

Yellow. It Ain't Me You're Looking For

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#52

If I Ever Shoot The Movie 'Two Alfa Romeo's & Julia' I Know Where To Go

If I Ever Shoot The Movie 'Two Alfa Romeo's & Julia' I Know Where To Go

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#53

5 Steps To The Left, 5 Steps To The Right, Slide Real Smooth

5 Steps To The Left, 5 Steps To The Right, Slide Real Smooth

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#54

This Is My Church, This Is Where I Hurt My Heels

This Is My Church, This Is Where I Hurt My Heels

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#55

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Room Without A Roof

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Room Without A Roof

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#56

Don’t Think Out Of The Box. Just Get Rid Of This Box

Don’t Think Out Of The Box. Just Get Rid Of This Box

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#57

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Was On Fire

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Was On Fire

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#58

I’m Flabberhousted

I’m Flabberhousted

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Ara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one looks like it used to be some sort of public utility; electricity substation, water pumping station, or similar.

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#59

Niet Mondriaan

Niet Mondriaan

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#60

When Your Door Want Its Own House

When Your Door Want Its Own House

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#61

Ugly? Sink Again

Ugly? Sink Again

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#62

I Don’t Understand

I Don’t Understand

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Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fire escape. Railings to hang onto while the crew rescues you.

#63

Please Close The Toilet Lid

Please Close The Toilet Lid

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#65

Blinded By The Stair Of Flights

Blinded By The Stair Of Flights

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#67

Housenumber 69

Housenumber 69

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#69

When You Discover Belgium Is Currently Hardest-Hit By The Coronavirus

When You Discover Belgium Is Currently Hardest-Hit By The Coronavirus

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#71

Giant Cat Ate A House

Giant Cat Ate A House

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#72

No More Sex Parties In This House

No More Sex Parties In This House

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#73

Caption This!

Caption This!

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#75

Abandon Ship!

Abandon Ship!

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#76

Piece Of Cake

Piece Of Cake

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#77

Abracadabra Please Don’t Open Sesame

Abracadabra Please Don’t Open Sesame

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#78

There Is No Point

There Is No Point

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#79

Before You Make Your Opinion, Remember There Are Three Sides To This Story

Before You Make Your Opinion, Remember There Are Three Sides To This Story

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#80

The Eye Of The Tiger (I Mean Lion Look Closely)

The Eye Of The Tiger (I Mean Lion Look Closely)

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#82

I Hope His Doorbell Goes Yin Yang

I Hope His Doorbell Goes Yin Yang

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#83

Why Doesn’t Bpost Deliver My Package?

Why Doesn’t Bpost Deliver My Package?

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#85

Up Yours

Up Yours

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#86

Did The Eagles Split?!

Did The Eagles Split?!

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#87

I Wet My Plants

I Wet My Plants

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