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We’re pretty sure about one thing—nobody was born an architect. It takes years of study and practice to become an expert in the art, history, and engineering of the built world. Yet, some think that designing a house from the ground up is a task they can do themselves.

Even if we agree that architecture is subjective, sometimes there’s no denying the flaws people make. In fact, some home designs turned out so wrong, they’ve made their way into the You Should Have Hired An Architect Facebook group, which is showing why not hiring a professional is a mistake.

From weirdly shaped roofs to open concept toilets, take a look at some of the pictures we have collected from the group and make sure to upvote the most bizarre ones!

Also, scroll down for our interview with Allison Beer McKenzie, the admin of this Facebook group, where we talk about the errors people make when designing a home themselves and the benefits of hiring an expert.

#1

Challenging Physics, Mathematics, Gravity, Engineering, Space, Time, Nasa, Einstein And The Holy Spirit!

Challenging Physics, Mathematics, Gravity, Engineering, Space, Time, Nasa, Einstein And The Holy Spirit!

Gaurav Joshi Report

#2

Nope. I Am, However, Impressed That Someone Took This Photo Without Being In It

Nope. I Am, However, Impressed That Someone Took This Photo Without Being In It

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

In just a few months, the group has attracted more than 31.2K members who share some of the weirdest design fails every single day. According to the group’s description, much of the built environment in the United States is not designed by architects. 

“This group is dedicated to examples of why that is a bad idea with occasional examples of why buildings designed by architects may be superior for variety.”

Bored Panda reached out to the admin, Allison Beer McKenzie, who is an architect and the director of sustainability at SHP Leading Design in Cincinnati, Ohio. She explained that there are mainly two reasons why many people choose to forgo hiring an architect. 

“One is definitely that they are cost-conscious or think they can’t afford an architect. The other, I believe, is they don’t know about or appreciate the value that an architect can bring to their house design,” she explained. 

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McKenzie continued: “This value can certainly include beautiful design but can also include things like a house that fits seamlessly onto the site it is on and is ideally designed for the climate it’s being built on.”

#5

This Is So Atrocious That I Just Realized There Are Two Dogs In The Front Yard

This Is So Atrocious That I Just Realized There Are Two Dogs In The Front Yard

Alexis Rabinowitz Report

Whether it’s creating a poor design, going way over the budget, or not meeting the current codes and standards, there are plenty of ways people can make errors without expert guidance. 

The architect thinks that many of the mistakes people make when designing homes themselves “stem from the fact that most people have trouble thinking in three dimensions without training in how to do so. This often leads to houses with weird proportions or awkward connections between materials and elements.”

#7

What Should We Do With All This Space? More Toilets!

What Should We Do With All This Space? More Toilets!

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

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

Isn't that nice. That way you can still spend precious time with your whole family while you're suffering from diarrhea. ❤️😂

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McKenzie admits that some houses that are designed without the help of architects turn out fine. “However, building a house is probably the biggest investment you ever make and is going to require you to make hundreds of decisions in a condensed amount of time,” she said. 

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“Having an architect at your side to guide you through decisions ranging from where the house sits on the lot, to room size and location, to what color grout you want for your bathroom floor can help ensure that you end up with a result you love and maintain your sanity!”

#9

Accident Waiting To Happen

Accident Waiting To Happen

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

#12

My Ocd Is Having A Breakdown

My Ocd Is Having A Breakdown

Jonathan D Schultz Ala Report

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

Trouble is, that first thought is immediately followed by a second thought, and a third, and a fourth ...

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According to architect Bill Whittaker, hiring a professional might seem like an unnecessary expense for your building project. Yet, an expert can bring quality, professional design, and project management to “help you complete a beautiful building on budget and schedule.”

He provides several reasons why you should hire an architect instead of tackling challenges all by yourself. First, when it comes to the design, they help your house to have a consistent flow and comfort.

#13

Huh. Never Seen A Commercial Toilet Partition In A Single Family Home Before

Huh. Never Seen A Commercial Toilet Partition In A Single Family Home Before

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

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#15

Such A Welcoming Front Door. This Gets Worse The Longer I Look At It

Such A Welcoming Front Door. This Gets Worse The Longer I Look At It

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

“An architect provides a professional design that takes the client’s preferences into account, along with building codes, and good design practices to create the best possible space for your project.”

Next, experts can efficiently manage a construction site and “ensure that everything is being completed according to the current codes and standards.” The same goes for the budget. It’s easy to get distracted and spend extra on things you don’t actually need or to cover up the mistakes you made.

#16

Bathroom Carpet

Bathroom Carpet

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

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

That's not carpet. That's clearly moss growing on the natural water feature. ;-) /s

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#17

Eeeek! But Whyyyyy

Eeeek! But Whyyyyy

Samantha James Report

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

There's something oddly touching about that new pack of screwdrivers, as though the owner wants to fix the problem but, by golly, they're going to do it themselves despite having no DIY skills

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“Architects help keep communication clear and can steer the project in the right direction to keep costs where they are originally projected,” Whittaker explained. 

Still, if you’re really determined to self-design your home, you should consider starting out small. Plan and build a treehouse or a shed, or maybe a dollhouse for the kids. And if you notice that there are some blunders you make along the way, you should probably reach out to an architect for your bigger future projects.

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#19

New Construction In Dallas. "Interesting" Roof

New Construction In Dallas. "Interesting" Roof

Gary Johnson Report

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

This looks like something I would have built in the sims 10 years ago...

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#23

Multitasking Too Hard

Multitasking Too Hard

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

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

Vault straight out of bed into the tub, then nurse your injuries in the comfy rocking chair

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#28

Addition? What Addition?

Addition? What Addition?

Chandin Geihsler Report

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Kosh1k
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly its not *that* bad? But I do wonder about the lack of windows

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#29

This Is A Luxury Hotel In My City (São Paulo, Brazil)

This Is A Luxury Hotel In My City (São Paulo, Brazil)

When it was built, everybody was like “ooooh, what an AMAZING piece of architecture!!!!”. It’s supposed to look like a ship, but all I can see is a rotten slice of watermelon. A boyfriend at the time, who was an architect, called me crazy for saying it’s ugly. Am I? It’s called Hotel Unique in case anyone wants to look up and see how weird the rooms look. They have a window between the bed and the bathroom. As for me, I can only see pictures, because it’s insanely expensive to stay there

Mariana Marinovic Report

#30

Universal Design At Its Finest

Universal Design At Its Finest

Marney Lindsay Report

#31

Silly Shutters

Silly Shutters

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

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

If you ever feel useless think of those two shutters to feel better

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#33

Driving Down The Street In The Very Fashionable And Pricy West Loop Of Chicago. I Literally Had To Stop Dead In My Tracks To Comprehend And Then Photograph This. So Very Much Wrong

Driving Down The Street In The Very Fashionable And Pricy West Loop Of Chicago. I Literally Had To Stop Dead In My Tracks To Comprehend And Then Photograph This. So Very Much Wrong

Helen Tsatsos Report

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

"Available soon: unique apartments at GIRAFFE TOWERS! Book a viewing NOW as this opportunity CANNOT LAST!!"

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#34

I Have To Give Them Credit For Utilizing All Of Those Awkward Spaces

I Have To Give Them Credit For Utilizing All Of Those Awkward Spaces

www.facebook.com Report

#35

The Next Evolution Of Barn Doors Looks Captivating

The Next Evolution Of Barn Doors Looks Captivating

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

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

It's a jail cell door. And looks big enough for kids and pets to get their heads stuck in

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#38

The Only Way This Could Be Worse, I Think, Is If There Was A Sleeping Tawny-Colored Cat Right On The Middle Step

The Only Way This Could Be Worse, I Think, Is If There Was A Sleeping Tawny-Colored Cat Right On The Middle Step

Samantha James Report

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#40

I Feel Like The Mason Had A Bad Day Near The Beginning

I Feel Like The Mason Had A Bad Day Near The Beginning

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

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

"Dave, we really shouldn't have let the apprentice work unsupervised. Just knock it down and start again." "Nah, they'll never notice"

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#41

If You’re Going To Insist On A Classical Column Wrap, At Least Align The Capital Correctly

If You’re Going To Insist On A Classical Column Wrap, At Least Align The Capital Correctly

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

#43

Summoning Infinity

Summoning Infinity

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

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

A lot of these are not architecture problems, but rather interior design issues.

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#44

Elevation Challenged

Elevation Challenged

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

#45

It Might Be A Cyclops

It Might Be A Cyclops

youshouldhavehiredanarchitect Report

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

We have a front door, we just don't want anyone to visit us so we had the architect remove the walkway leading to it...

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#46

Listed For $1 Million In Austin, Texas (This Is The Front)

Listed For $1 Million In Austin, Texas (This Is The Front)

Allison Beer McKenzie Report

#47

This Is A House In Tuscaloosa, Al. It's Near The Uofa Campus, I Assume They Had A Small Lot And Wanted Cram As Many College Kids On It As Possible

This Is A House In Tuscaloosa, Al. It's Near The Uofa Campus, I Assume They Had A Small Lot And Wanted Cram As Many College Kids On It As Possible

Anna Blackmon Report

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

That kinda looks like the Amityville Horror House's little sister, who's just as psycho as her older brother. So is her chihuahua, who's right to her in this picture, btw...

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#48

Or At Least Someone Who Wasn't Drunk!

Or At Least Someone Who Wasn't Drunk!

I don't mind the painted brick (it's very common in charming old houses in northern Germany - although they tend to be bright white, rather than purple) but the chimney isn't an eye pleaser. Maybe they wanted to draw the attention off it with the crooked porch? They definitely succeeded in that!

Nini Stefanie Report

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#50

Architects In Philly

Architects In Philly

Van Whit Report

Note: this post originally had 93 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.