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This IG Page Documents Ugly Houses Seen In The Netherlands, And They’re So Bad, It’s Hilarious (30 Pics)
When talking about architecture, there's a fine line between creative and ridiculous. Bold and funny. Tasteful and appalling. And when a project crosses it, people often notice. And shame it.
Ugly Dutch Houses is an Instagram account that does just that. Radiating a similar vibe as its Irish and Belgian "cousins", this online project shares photos of structures that it believes to deserve the demolition crane. Or at least a good makeover.
And it's quite thirsty, too. "I will look for you, I will find you and I will post you," the bio of the Insta says. Liam Neeson approves!
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This House Could Appear On Your Geometry Test
Preparing a piece about a Facebook group dedicated to architecture shaming, my colleague Jonas spoke about what separates good and bad design, the need to democratize the access to quirky private property designs, as well as about the roles that architecture plays with an expert in the field from Sweden who has a background in urban planning.
The urban planner explained to Bored Panda that while public spaces must meet safety and accessibility standards, aesthetic standards can be much more fluid for buildings.
"Most of the time, the elements of the built environment should be in harmony amidst each other and with the surroundings. However, sometimes, something bolder and out-of-the-box might form an engaging contrast," she said. However, the expert added that, in her personal opinion, our built environments have to engage us, as well as stimulate our minds and senses. In fact, she believes that architecture’s ability to make us think is one of its most powerful aspects.
Which, you have to admit, these Dutch houses accomplish with ease.
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#2
When Your Architect Wants 'To Try Something New'
#3
My Tony Hawk Senses Are Tingling
#4
I'm Not Feeling Very Well Today....
“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?’”
The urban planner said that we should give people the freedom to express themselves as they wish when it comes to designing their private property. As long as they have the means, nearly everything is allowed, in her opinion. Just like we're allowed to have an opinion on their 'experiments' too!
#5
The Pope's Ugly Dutch Vacation Home
#6
It's Very Hot In Holland So It's An Appropiate Time To Post An Ugly Dutch House On Water!
#7
The Architect Dropped A Cube Of Green Soap And Suddenly He Had A Vision
Malka de Lange 4 years ago
This is naar my house and I've always been so curious about it. All the other houses around it are the regular style you'd expect here. This one sure stands out
“Quirky architecture comes from our innate desire to demonstrate our [own] 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 that as long as you’re not actively harming anyone else with how bad your designs are, you should be able to be as unique as you want. Even if it falls short of objective aesthetic standards.
#8
When Your Architect Wasn't As Sharp As He Used To Be When Finishing The Construction Plans
#9
Bilbo Baggins' Holiday House
#10
Yes, This Is A House. Yes, People Actually Live Here And Yes, The Windows Weren't Even Placed Symmetrically
#11
Wharchitect The F**k
#12
Error 404: Windows Not Found
#13
If You Think This Is Complex Then Wait Until You Hear Their Alarm Code
#14
The Egyptians Are Taking Over
#15
Don't Drink And Build
#16
The Color Red Is Often Associated With The Word 'Stop'... I Rest My Case
#17
If You Go Through The Front Door, You'll Meet Bowser
#18
25% Glass, 75% Ugly
#19
From Holland With Love
#20
When You Decide Last Minute That You Don't Want Your House Shaped Like A Triangle
#21
@uglybelgianhouses We've Got Them Too!
#22
The Roof Is Taking Off
#23
If You Look Very Carefully You'll See Something Which Somewhat Looks Like A House
Ozymandias73 4 years ago
Leaves on the roof? No Problem. Standing water on the roof? No problem. Santa? Possible problems. :\
#24
Hey So Did You Hear About This Neighbourhood Called New-Caïro In Amsterdam?
#25
The Architect Had A Lot Of Ideas
#26
I Just Feel Sorry For The Postman
#27
Even The Quality Of This Picture Is Ugly
#28
The Roof Is Everywhere
#29
Taking The "I'm Glad To Have A Roof Above My Head" Phrase A Bit Too Literal
#30
I Like The Fact That Straw Burns Really Good
#31
Hundertwasser?
#32
Bender, Is That You?
Anna Snorrepot 4 years ago
this is an historic architecture way which makes edgepoints in an urban setting recognizable and makes for friendly neighbourhoods. It looks like a face though :D
#33
Noah Decided To Have An Arc Built On Land
#34
You Know How Theme Parks Sometimes Have Hotels? This Could Be One, Except The (Ugly) Truth Is That This Is Standing Right In The Middle Of A Dutch City
#35
Two Ugly Dutch Pyramid Houses Connected. Why? Because Fuck You That's Why
#36
Consider Your Shapes
#37
Gravity Works In Mysterious Ways
#38
Ugly Dutch Houses
#39
So What Came First, The Bottom Modern Villa Or The Traditional House On Top?
#40
After Her Encounter With The Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood Commissioned An Architect To Build Her This Safe House
#41
This House Seems To Be Screaming And We Can All See Why
#42
Real Houses Have Curves
#44
If The Green Parts Would Melt In The Summer It Wouldn't Be So Ugly
#45
Everything's Gone Green
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
When the council tells you that you can't paint your door and windows pink.
#47
When Your House Tries His Best To Blind In With Its Surroundings (Yet Fails Miserably)
#48
There Is A Very Fine Line Between Ugly And Depressing
#49
Dutchies: Taking The Pyramid-Shaped Houses To The Next Level
#50
Less (Windows) Is More
#51
Illuminati Confirmed
#53
Feeling A Little Blue When Seeing This...
Whawhawhatsis 4 years ago
The color is nice, but again, where are the windows? Do Dutch people like to grope around their homes in the dark?
#54
These People Requested A House Annex That Would Last Through The Zombie Apocalypse. #uglydutchannexes
#55
That's The Tallest Chimney I Have Ever Seen (@uglybelgianhouses)
#56
Adding Primary Colors Certainly Didn't Help
#57
So Simple, Yet So Wrong
Universal Toaster Goddess 4 years ago
To me the worst part about this is that the point of the roof doesn’t match up with the pole, so close and yet so far
#60
When Your House Just Doesn't Give A S**t About Its Surroundings
#61
I See A Lot Of Doors But Where Are The Actual Houses?
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Each door is a separate house. Just look at the numbering. Right is nr.4, left is nr.13.
#62
Where Architecture Ends And Weird Begins
Whawhawhatsis 4 years ago
Whatever it is, it's not nearly as bad as most of the houses on here.
#63
Today I Have Something Very Special: The Former Ugly Dutch House Of Afrojack
#64
Hey Dude, There Is A Door On Your Door
Ann Dennis 4 years ago
I think the builder ordered two doors by mistake, and being as it was a clearance sale, he couldn't return one...so he used both.
#65
I Don't Know How To Feel About This
#66
Spot The Asymmetry
Add New Image
What do you think ?
W S 4 years ago
There must be something seriously warped with my mind as I like a fair few of these. Here in the UK it seems every new estate looks like every other new estate, cookie cutter/ copy, paste houses. Sure, there are some in the article that makes you wonder what they were smoking but also it is refreshing (as least to me) to see something different.
Al Christensen 4 years ago
Two thumbs up for those bold enough (or crazy enough) to do something different!
Anna Snorrepot 4 years ago
I was all steamed up to defend my country but these are really horrible and funny pictures :D
Elsker 4 years ago
Just wow... i live in the netherlands and had zero idea this was happening lol
Cathelijne Van 4 years ago
Me neither but I do recognize a lot of the architecture.. 😝 I know Almere a bit 🤣
Load More Replies... cursed--alien 4 years ago
I honestly don't think the majority of the houses here look that bad.
Chris Zaydel 4 years ago
I think they're great. Not necessarily for me to live in, but they catch your eye, which most houses don't. Different doesn't equal bad here.
Universal Toaster Goddess 4 years ago
Most if not all of these look like they were commissioned by Bill Cypher
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
And the worst fact is that it was actually more expensive to do all that crap, so they don't even have the excuse of poverty.
Maartje Schutte 4 years ago
Am I too Dutch or do I have a really weird taste because I have seen a lot of these kinds of buildings and find it almost normal.....
Мара Гончарова 4 years ago
Some of these "houses" aren't houses at all - they are technical buildings and have the appropriate structures. And others are not ugly, just non-standard. Stop building-shaming! *sarcasm*
Fajar Kurniawan 4 years ago
It's easier when you want to pinpoint your house when a friend come to visit
Cathelijne Van 4 years ago (edited)
Oooo I live in the Netherlands and I think a lot of them are kind of quirky which is good in my universe 🤓💁🏻♀️ Oh and love the captions and this post! Awesome!
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
I find it hard to believe that any of these houses were approved by Dutch authorities. I can't even get permission to install an overhang over my frontdoor because "it would interfere too deeply with the architectural experience of the building and detract from the original style of the 1930s."
Cathelijne Van 4 years ago
Maybe you should visit Almere. And these are not in Belgium! For sure, I recognized quite some
Load More Replies... W S 4 years ago
There must be something seriously warped with my mind as I like a fair few of these. Here in the UK it seems every new estate looks like every other new estate, cookie cutter/ copy, paste houses. Sure, there are some in the article that makes you wonder what they were smoking but also it is refreshing (as least to me) to see something different.
Al Christensen 4 years ago
Two thumbs up for those bold enough (or crazy enough) to do something different!
Anna Snorrepot 4 years ago
I was all steamed up to defend my country but these are really horrible and funny pictures :D
Elsker 4 years ago
Just wow... i live in the netherlands and had zero idea this was happening lol
Cathelijne Van 4 years ago
Me neither but I do recognize a lot of the architecture.. 😝 I know Almere a bit 🤣
Load More Replies... cursed--alien 4 years ago
I honestly don't think the majority of the houses here look that bad.
Chris Zaydel 4 years ago
I think they're great. Not necessarily for me to live in, but they catch your eye, which most houses don't. Different doesn't equal bad here.
Universal Toaster Goddess 4 years ago
Most if not all of these look like they were commissioned by Bill Cypher
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
And the worst fact is that it was actually more expensive to do all that crap, so they don't even have the excuse of poverty.
Maartje Schutte 4 years ago
Am I too Dutch or do I have a really weird taste because I have seen a lot of these kinds of buildings and find it almost normal.....
Мара Гончарова 4 years ago
Some of these "houses" aren't houses at all - they are technical buildings and have the appropriate structures. And others are not ugly, just non-standard. Stop building-shaming! *sarcasm*
Fajar Kurniawan 4 years ago
It's easier when you want to pinpoint your house when a friend come to visit
Cathelijne Van 4 years ago (edited)
Oooo I live in the Netherlands and I think a lot of them are kind of quirky which is good in my universe 🤓💁🏻♀️ Oh and love the captions and this post! Awesome!
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
I find it hard to believe that any of these houses were approved by Dutch authorities. I can't even get permission to install an overhang over my frontdoor because "it would interfere too deeply with the architectural experience of the building and detract from the original style of the 1930s."
Cathelijne Van 4 years ago
Maybe you should visit Almere. And these are not in Belgium! For sure, I recognized quite some
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