30 Times Architects Failed At Their Job, As Shared On This Twitter Page Dedicated To Ugly Buildings
Every now and then, we grab the opportunity to praise architects who consistently outdo themselves and surprise us with their marvelous creations. Because designing impressive and remarkable structures that leave everyone in awe is far from an easy task. It requires years of hard work, dedication, and understanding of seemingly endless aspects of human life. But far too often, we stumble upon places that tell us one universal truth — some pieces of architecture are utter disasters.
Here’s where 'The World's Ugliest Buildings' Twitter account comes in. This social media project is dedicated to pictures of some of the most visually displeasing architectural examples found across the world, and it shares the worst of the bunch. Though, even when they are the most unattractive fiascos ever discovered, they definitely leave an impression.
We at Bored Panda have gathered some of the most memorable pictures from the page to share with you all. So sit back, buckle up, and get ready to go down the rabbit hole of architectural hiccups. Be sure to hit upvote as you go, and let us know which of these places you’d love to see IRL in the comments!
More info: Twitter
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If it's been, 'erect' that long, I'd suggest seeking help from a medical professional. 🤔
Someone misheard 'Spinster' and here we are....
Load More Replies...This is part of an art exhibition from Verbeke Foundation in Stekene, Belgium.
The same dude made a "re©tum bar" I've seen in a biennal in Le Havre. Guess he has some obsession with re©tum (and BP has a problem with the word re©tum)
Load More Replies...In Spanish, it could be casa anús. Casa means house, lol.
Load More Replies...Also, whoever chose the name "Antwerp". It sounds like you are trying to insult someone. "Hey, don't be such an Antwerp."
Well, they probably died a long time ago since the city was founded in like the 800's?
Load More Replies...Quick, get John Rhys-Davies to narrate you going through the sphincter house! (In case no one gets it, Quest For Glory 4 had a version voiced by John Rhys-Davies, and heading him say that your character walks through the sphincter door is gold.)
I know what happened: the pages of the blue prints were stuck together and they accidentally built two different buildings. (Like Rachels half English trifle/half shepherd's pie)
So it will be six stories high then just make the penthouse look crazy.
For your entertainment, the Twitter account in question has been documenting terrible building examples ever since it was created in 2020. As the creator writes in the description, this social media account is a virtual gallery of some of the ugliest buildings found across the world, from China to Belgium to the United States. And they certainly deliver.
The page currently has over 3k followers, but its Latin American version has gained a strong foothold on the platform by amassing over 31k devoted fans eagerly waiting for a new ugly creation to grace their feeds. They are both well-known for shaming buildings or public spaces that were designed without a dash of love or talent, and a brief scroll through their accounts shows a variety of wacky designs and spaces that are just begging to be poked fun at.
Moreover, each photo has a caption with the location of the building, and some offer more information like its name, construction date, and architect. So if some of these pictures left you scratching your head and wondering "What on earth were these people thinking!", this makes it much easier for you to look them up.
They probably couldn't get planning permission to destroy the colonnade.
Load More Replies...It’s an architectural mullet… business in the front and party in the back.
"I live at the place that kinda looks like the US Supreme Court, if you don't look up... Or maybe a Roman something, again..." "10-4, omw"
Quick get behind me! I'll protect you. Dang, you're a big one, you'll have to lay down or something
When you start building a bank then realize your community needs affordable housing.
It's not in Belgium, but in Bulgaria : https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/snail-house-sofia
Oh I thought it was a kids thing- not a house
Load More Replies...Speaking of architectural novelties, some ideas may (or may not) have once looked good on paper, but they probably should have just stayed on paper. Especially when architects have so many different ones, but they end up choosing them all at once. Of course, like any other art form, architecture is subjective, but this list offers proof that some buildings truly deserve all the strong opinions, criticism, and mockery they receive.
After all, when it comes to designing things for city living, you expect they are made with people in mind. Unfortunately, many creators wish to leave a mark and design buildings so unique that they will be remembered for years. Well, it's crystal clear that even with the best intentions, this desire for individuality does not always bring wanted results.
I am hearing Also Sprach Zarathrusta. 2001 A Space Odyssey, sponsored by AT&T.
The other side isn't really much better but at least we know where all the windows went. 507845-Lar...71541c.jpg
It was formerly the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, built during the Brutalist period in the '60s. It's pretty ugly, and stands amid newer, more attractive buildings now. Yuck.
I live in Houston. Trust me, it's just as ugly in person as it looks. The "ghost" of the Southwestern Bell logo is an especially nice touch. Never been inside, but it looks like the kind of place where you can't get a signal for your phone.
The windowless side originally held the massive vacuum tube computer banks that were in use at the time.
Only if ewe wool'd ram it up your chops ewe mutton head! Baaa I'm out of terrible ewemor. 🤦🏻♀️
Load More Replies...There's a giant sheep dog there too. It's a shop and visitor centre
I love this one! It's playful and I'm guessing still quite functional.
Looks like the cutaway washing machine they show on telly to demonstrate limescale. I wonder what happens when you put it on spin cycle?
Such an unusual design that I wanted to see more. Here’s some info and photos of the “salad spinner” house for anyone else who’s interested: https://robbreport.com/shelter/celebrity-homes/justin-bieber-house-twitter-2911257/
I think Tony Stark would have a lot more class than Justin Bieber
Load More Replies...According to Associate professor Melonie Bayl-Smith from UNSW Built Environment, architecture today suffers from an originality syndrome. "When architects try to do something completely original, they don’t necessarily produce a better building," she said, adding that originality shouldn’t necessarily be the highest value of an architect.
"I see that architecture today, in some cases, has become a very form-based exercise, often at the expense of the quality of space or other crucial aspects of architecture. It doesn’t matter anymore whether it responds to anything to do with site or place or people — apparently we just want it to look different," Bayl-Smith added.
This is the result of engineers who graduated by learning "new math" where 2+2=5. 🙄 This is one area where you do not want "it's close enough" to be the rule. 😳
Exactly. I'm like is it meant to look like a bullet train bursting thru the building
Load More Replies...Naw it's definitely an Autobot, a very hungover one. Decepticons are much better looking.😆😉
Load More Replies...Looks like a space shuttle made out of Legos crashed into that building.
When you build the lego building of your lifetime and your sister sits on it.
I'm pretty sure there's a button in there that causes it to transform into a giant robot to defend the city if Godzilla attacks
Looks like an Autobot who forgot to lubricate his joints and got stuck in this embarrassing position.
As the associate professor argued, creating a well-thought-out product is more important than doing something for the sake of its novelty. "I think we as a profession need to do a better job of recognizing what does work well, and developing and enriching those approaches, whether it’s spatial design, material design, the processes of building assembly, sustainable practices — all the different things that contribute to making a great, long-lasting building," she said. "There are enough poor buildings out there; we don’t need to keep 'inventing' more of them just to try and be 'original'."
"I didn't put it there" said every other tradesman.🤷♂️
Load More Replies...Nobody should have this much money, while hundreds of millions live in abject poverty.
1 billion USD home owned by Mukesh Ambani. Altamount road is the most expensive place to own a home in the world. A 3000 Sq feet flat in any of the apartments in this locality will cost you more than 4million USD and this person has bought the land and then build an apartment on it to accommodate his family of 6 persons (at the time this was build)
and if I remember correctly, he never moved in, because it was "facing the wrong way"!?
Load More Replies...Similar to feudal days when kings built their castles on high hills so when the local serfs looked up, they would be reminded of the wealth and power of the king. In this day and age, I’d be afraid to live there. All it would take is a disgruntled employee and a small plane to ruin your day.
Every single thing I ever tried to build out of Lego looked exactly like this
Architects have the power to make our lives much easier, they have the ability to create a sense of calmness and safety. New buildings and public spaces need to accommodate and protect society, not make us feel uneasy and confused. After all, a report by the United Nations (U.N.) stated that 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas today. A number which is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. Our environments are changing at an incredible rate, so designers, urban planners, and architects have to face challenges to ensure they serve the people who live there.
I agree. It looks like gemstones breaking out of a stone wall in a cave. Very pretty.
Load More Replies...The gap between pants and shirt after an 'all you can eat' night out.
I actually think it's cool. Looks like shiny minerals being found in the ground.
I gotta say, it reminds me of the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona
I had many classes in the shadow of Crosley Tower and was always fascinated by the fact that Neil Armstrong was teaching classes in there. I was sad to hear it was to be torn down. It's very cool to stand next to and look up.
The tower was completed in 1969 for $5 million. Featured at the top of a list of America's ugliest university buildings in 2017. Slated for demo in 2025.
5 mil down the drain. People need to model this in 3D B4 construction is done. And get a majority vote.
Load More Replies...That is just hideous. HIDEOUS! Not a single redeeming feature -- the shape is ugly, the color is ugly, it's horrible in the setting, the windows (such as they are) provide minimal light to the interior space(s), whatever they're supposed to be. WHY? Who spent money on this? What for? AAAAARRGH!!
Ow THAT would be funny if it was exactly opposite on the globe from Easter Island.
Load More Replies...The middle east has such beautiful castle designs. Modern office building is not one of them
3 long range missiles are hidden in this picture. See if you can find them
Tried to combine the past with the present & failed quite loudly
They probably built it for the roof garden view. "Let's make some money with the pedestal".
A lego castle... In a city... But it also looks like an office building
More often than not, however, they choose to make the modern world extremely ugly. In the last few centuries, humanity has made huge strides in technology, medical advances, and overall quality of life, but contemporary architecture still somehow manages to give us the jitters. As it’s explained in an article on Current Affairs, most architects will defend themselves by saying you simply don’t understand architectural principles.
That's some serious overcompensation. Also, heat rises + desert = I'll be in the basement, thanks.
It was in Hialeah, FL (surrounding city to Miami) and was painted white, sold to produce company & then demolished in 2017
That's kind of sad to hear. I think it looked kind of like a squid joining a snail love fest.
Load More Replies...One typical excuse they use is that the buildings that look like atrocities to the public eyes are actually incredible feats of engineering. Take 'blobitecture', for example, a real school of contemporary architecture in which buildings have an organic, amoeba-shaped, building form. Usually, architects justify these examples because they were created using complicated computer-driven algorithms.
Another thing you’ll often hear is that contemporary architecture is honest. This means that it doesn’t rely on the forms and usages of the past, and it’s definitely not interested in "coddling you and your dumb feelings".
I immediately thought guns. Yes I am American. No I don't own one.
Load More Replies...estimate construction cost 40 Mil, final cost 400 Mil, that's a disgrace
The first thing I saw was rows of the Hebrew letter "dalet" --> דדדדדד
Load More Replies...Actually, it looks just ugly on this pic. It‘s much worse in real, promisse.
Ya, especially surrounded by all of the beautiful buildings in Edinburgh
Load More Replies...The exterior design of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, Scotland drew controversy from its very inception. It’s supposed to mimic and pay homage to Scotland’s landscape. It’s actually quite beautiful inside.
The Commercial Center Cita has even more stuff on it! Eiffel Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Tower Bridge, Little Mermaid and even a set of the Avengers :D
Please tell me this was not planned but the guys got together, got drunk & built this
I don't think it's terrible. Probably wouldn't even be in this post if Trump's name wasn't on it.
Betting you’d think otherwise if you were looking at it in full sun. From the lighting, this photo was likely taken early in the morning. Once that desert sun hits it fully, the glare off of that reflective surface must be intense. Dunno if it melts cars like the skyscraper in London, but it wouldn’t be surprising. It must be intensely painful, if not blinding, to look at in full sun. Fitting, I suppose, for a guy who saw no problem with looking directly at a solar eclipse.
Load More Replies...With a reflection that blinds people on the interstate.
Load More Replies...Im not from US and dont care about trump..... and I dont see anything wrong woth this building. politics aside, whats wrong here?
I used to live in Vegas and drive by that all the time, it is extremely reflective, in a desert, and basically blinds everybody on I-15 driving by
Load More Replies...It doesn't actually have a casino. It's just a hotel and condos.
Load More Replies..."That’s the world we live in! Get used to it! Fans of Brutalism — the blocky-industrial-concrete school of architecture — are quick to emphasize that these buildings tell it like it is, as if this somehow excused the fact that they look, at best, dreary, and, at worst, like the headquarters of some kind of post-apocalyptic totalitarian dictatorship," the journalists Adrian Rennix and Nathan J. Robinson wrote in the piece.
My eyes just hurt looking at it. Noclip was turned on for this masterpiece.
Load More Replies...Isn't this like abstract architecture? It's clean and orderly, just angled alot. I like it
Heheh looks like a culture of bacteria on an agar plate. Flip side- I bet the pods are cool on the inside.
Now at least no one can ever bomb it from above and claim they didn't know what they were bombing.
Why are 99% of these monstosities built by the government with tax money? Are the architects some out of work senators' cousins?
Oh dear. It was OK, then all of a sudden the "knobs" appeared
"There’s an easy test for whether a building is beautiful or not. Ask yourself: if this building could speak, would it sound like the Rubaiyat or the works of Shakespeare, or would it make a noise like 'Blorp'? For nearly 100 years, we have been stuck in the Age of Blorp. It is time to learn to speak again."
"Loch ness"........yes, im thinking that's what what they were shooting for
Load More Replies...What's inside the museum? Have they found Loch Ness skeleton? I mean Loch Ness not Lock Ness.
Reminds me of the cardboard scopes we made to look at the eclipse when I was a kid.
thats what happens when the ceo really thinks he is above wveyone else
No way I'm gonna find my room if I can't even find the entrance.
Was this a weird triangle building that they just added onto? Perhaps they ran out of money materials ?
So so sad that this and all surrounding buildings no longer stand, the epicentre of a huge tragedy:(
Trust me, it really does...from any angle you look at it. Across the street there's a wholesale food market with trucks coming & going. The whole scenery is just gloomy
Load More Replies...I feel like this is a building I would expect to see in the Netherlands. The sky behind it even looks van Gogh-ish.
It is located next to a historic working lumber windmill. At the time, planning permission was only granted if they could prove that it would not prevent wind from reaching the mill. Their studies were BS - the windmill now gets a fraction of the wind it enjoyed before...
I would SO get married here! In stilettos, of course!
Environmentally friendly design, won multiple awards. Glass floor on the third story. Amazing!
I used to lived there. When I drove south across the I-5 bridge and looked to the right, this building resembled a pile of laundry.
I've been there. Happy not to have noticed it from this angle.
Load More Replies...Yes... when I go to the dentist, I want to have constant reminders of things that look like drills.... that will definitely get me thru the front door instead of screaming and running down the street.
The extension out over the water (Seine river) actually has a section of glass floor. It's the office of the minister.
Elephants are sacred in Nigeria so one man's decision of ugly is often considered a blessing in other cultures
For the 'sea' portion I'm getting serious plastic pollution vibes. The front looks like it's off a rake of cans
I like it. It's lively. It looks like the architect ripped up the plans for an ugly government building and used it as confetti.
I like it ! Really cool! It's not like it's next to your house in the suburbs. Very refreshing from regular high rise buildings.
It should be noted High Point has long been the furniture capital of the world. I grew up there.
Nice to see a few others who were in NC. I'm a few counties over in Orange.
Load More Replies...A few of them are! Not sure if I should upvote them because they're cool or downvote somebody calling them ugly.
Load More Replies...*rich for the people that build this kind of building soulless hell
Load More Replies...About time there was a place to buy Gringos! Payback's a b! lol
I love this. The building was literally advertising what was made inside.
It's a contemporary art museum for Christ's sake! This is exactly what it should look like.
It's not unfinished, but it isn't really used either. At night the lights are on, but it's totally empty. It is built to "demonstrate the glory of North Korean workers".
I would think it was full of toerist in north korea. I have a feeling i am missing something.
Load More Replies...When I started studying Korean history, this building was so amusing. Sat with a crane on it for over a decade. I get it, food come before finishing a building (but after a gaunt military). An Egyptian construction company offered to finish it for free, if memory serves. I don't know what they would get out of it except bragging rights. But at least the exterior is finished
*giant military. Although, their soldiers are kinda gaunt as well
Load More Replies...It is. I don't think the interior is finished, maybe only some floors. And it really isn't used
Load More Replies...Corte Inglés buildings are all the same in all Spanish cities...
I thought it's more of a department store, like John Lewis or Rinascente?
Load More Replies...Plus all the brickwork on the ground leading up to it is all uneven and you can't get a wheelchair up it easily
I must admit, around the back it is mostly like that glass panel and it looks pretty impressive from inside. Worked well as the backdrop for a play I saw.
Anyone else sing the little jingle for Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated?
The building facade has been repaired, restored, and decorated since this photo was taken. And given that this fix to Guy's Tower was 8 years ago, it's an old photo.
just googled it, does not change the fact, that the building is ugly.
Load More Replies...I was about to say omg PEAK 90s mall vibes!! Which is exactly right for a mall to be???
Load More Replies...The city is called Wroclaw. I live here, this building is hideous, it's situated near beautiful classic architecture thus making it look even worse.
Not overly tasteful, but looks like what it is. A little outdated, maybe.
Instead of the fire code "max number of people ", it should just read "s h i t t e r s full", then that number....
South Korea has an entire toilet theme park, so this doesn't surprise me
I mean, it's Frank Gehry, so, by his standards, this is positively tame...
Load More Replies...It's a shame it wasn't built all the way to the sidewalk. That is what makes this one unattractive. Otherwise, lovely art nouveau building.
streamline moderne or deco, actually. Nouveau has more wiggly organic shapes.
Load More Replies...I like this. It’s modern and minimal, while still showing thoughtful detail.
Why do people think museums, especially modern art museums are going to either be boring or satisfy everyone's individual taste? I think it's right on the money. You don't like the design, probably don't waste your time or money buying a ticket.
Wouldn't want one of the rooms on the inside of the curve. Your view is... someone else's room, yay!
My vertigo would have me passing out on the sidewalk before I could get in the door.
I really really hope there's a carousel in the center of this building
Are some of the top floor windows boarded up?
Look, protecting the earth from deceptions doesn't pay the bills so the autobots need to work
Even though this is in the heart of London, MI6 got pee'd off when it was shown in the James Bond movies.
Featuring an architectural oddity: two Room 101s: one in the basement with the rat face-cages, and one in the penthouse for acrophobic thought-criminals.
It might look ugly in this picture, but that's because of the angle it is taken. If you look at it from a bit of a distance, you will see it's beauty
It looks like houses that "new money" people build back in the 1990s. These buildings were cheaply made, had zero respect for it's surroundings and on top of that, they were fugly. Many houses like this ended up being empty and unused, and owners are trying to sell them (very unsuccessfully).
I hope to the all-mighty minion god it is one
Load More Replies...As Turkmenistan is rather heavily censored in terms of the press being 'free', this is either ironic or blatantly cynical - suspect the letter !!
At first glance I though "why is there braille on it?"
Load More Replies...But no windows in the upper part of the building
Load More Replies...It looks better in person. Still not beautiful, but just a bit better.
It's actually a part of the Denver Art Museum complex. Streetview almost makes it worth a look.
I like this, it's an 18th century folly, and the owner used to grow pineapples in hothouses lol.
No issue with the pineapple but the facade on either side looks like a penitentiary.
wasn´t this in another collection about genius designers not even a week ago? So, is this ugly or not?
Two weeks ago I was there and the whole area looks preety cool. It's unique and makes you feel in legoland. The nature around is beautiful, too. I wouldn't put it here together with some monstrosoties.
Obviously, because a huge building just landed on her. DUH!
Wait a minute, why is the a face in the hip area of the statue in the back with no head? 😳
Really irritating. Some of these buildings are beautiful but taken at a crummy angle or with power lines in front (like Celine in South Korea). Others are perfect for their use: like the Barbie Experience or the Rock 'N Roll Museum should have been subtle and classy?
Agree, some building listed here are considered already classic architecture and are being taught in schools. It's just clumsy photography that did the damage.
Load More Replies...I’m very confused. This said design fails…but most of these buildings are just absolutely beautiful, maybe a bit weird, but beautiful! Can someone please explain why these are failed designs???
My take is that since it came from twitter it probably is a group of people who seem to believe that nothing unique or new should be made and that a proper aesthetic is one you can find in a magazine or something.
Load More Replies...fck.ugly proves that some people only have taste in their mouths! LOL! While many of these structures don't appeal to cultural aesthetics, some are still beautiful works of art.
At least these are all designed intentionally, and most of them are interesting to see.
Yeah i like this type of content but maybe we should not call them design fails? Yes some are ugly to my eyes but tbh I’d rather have something edgy and out there and I’m not sure I like it than some boring cracker box. A building that stands out and adds spice and icon is miles ahead of its peers, even if some people do find it “ugly”. Interesting architecture but mostly not ugly
Some of these are really cool. And the glass slipper from the thumbnail wasn't even included because it's so pretty lol
Really irritating. Some of these buildings are beautiful but taken at a crummy angle or with power lines in front (like Celine in South Korea). Others are perfect for their use: like the Barbie Experience or the Rock 'N Roll Museum should have been subtle and classy?
Agree, some building listed here are considered already classic architecture and are being taught in schools. It's just clumsy photography that did the damage.
Load More Replies...I’m very confused. This said design fails…but most of these buildings are just absolutely beautiful, maybe a bit weird, but beautiful! Can someone please explain why these are failed designs???
My take is that since it came from twitter it probably is a group of people who seem to believe that nothing unique or new should be made and that a proper aesthetic is one you can find in a magazine or something.
Load More Replies...fck.ugly proves that some people only have taste in their mouths! LOL! While many of these structures don't appeal to cultural aesthetics, some are still beautiful works of art.
At least these are all designed intentionally, and most of them are interesting to see.
Yeah i like this type of content but maybe we should not call them design fails? Yes some are ugly to my eyes but tbh I’d rather have something edgy and out there and I’m not sure I like it than some boring cracker box. A building that stands out and adds spice and icon is miles ahead of its peers, even if some people do find it “ugly”. Interesting architecture but mostly not ugly
Some of these are really cool. And the glass slipper from the thumbnail wasn't even included because it's so pretty lol
