First, the list from our 'enemies', second is 'friendly fire'...
Throughout history, it is the deep-pocketed madmen who tend to leave behind the biggest wonders. And while last month's election of the New Seven Wonders of the World hints at this point -- the emperors who fed Christians to the lions in the Roman Coliseum were neither mild-mannered nor impoverished -- they're basically positive tributes to mankind's triumphant, enduring half. But what of the tyranny that drove men to produce such wonders? On some level, each of the New Seven is also a colossal monument to narcissism, either some ruler or some culture's desire to go bigger and leave a mark that cannot be erased -- a sentiment not unlike the one held by some of today's most ruthless dictators. With that in mind, we created the following list, celebrating those modern monuments from the totalitarian world that may or may not make it through the next coup. Check them out while you still can.
_____________________________
Travel can open your eyes to some of the world's most beautiful sights and buildings — and to some of the ugliest.
According to VirtualTourist, these are ten of the most unsightly buildings and monuments in the world.
What do you think? Are there other buildings uglier than these?
10 Comments
boston city hall: i don't hate this building. i don't really understand all the hate towards this building.
but i love me some rudolph...
kunsthaus liechtenstein: i love this building. i love the massing, i love the simplicity, i absolutely adore that a handful of craftsmen polished off 6mm of the the entire facade to a glassy sheen - and that the wall didn't need any form ties. stunning.
scottish parliament: you can only hate this building if you've never been. it's really playful and delightful.
the reality is, everything in both categories have got something or more going for them.
boston city hall is kallman mckinnel & wood- rudolph's large, unfinished piece is a couple blocks away from city hall. easy to confuse.
the 10 worst buildings? these aren't even close!
poor brutalism. I feel sorry for it, disgraced from the beginning by a name that preconditions people not to like it anyway. Misunderstood and neglected, written off as being "cold" and "impersonal" while nearby faux-themed and EIFS shopping centers get all the love and attention. It's like the smart but awkward girl who can't get a date to prom watching all the girls with fake breasts getting all the attention.
It's ok brutalism. I like you just the way you are.
Well-said, Trekkie.
Oh wait - that's what dash-dot on last month's Wired said. What does your dash-dot mean again?
And seriously - I agree on brutalism and very much like your analogy.
Ironically, the "Lists Galore" site counts as probable part of a "10 ugliest" in its own right. Pot, kettle, black.
winner candidate..
winner candidate..
Yes, it so ugly, I don't even know what it is. It looks like an oversized model of an odd-sized tooth.
Boston City Hall? It's different and not contextual, but it feels comfortable in terms of scale, has sufficient articulation, and is "asymmetrically symmetrical." I liked sitting on its grounds and chowing down a burger from one of the fast food joints in the area while I looked at it and watched the street life on a weekend day while I was a visitor.
The Scottish parliament is actually rather beautiful.
i don't really understand all the hate towards this building.
an entire thriving neighborhood was demolished for government center (plus the wasteland of a plaza) and a few high-end high-rises that cut the density of the neighborhood in half. The building is the physical manifestation the heavy hand of a government acting on behalf of wealthy developers. close to 8,000 people were displaced because of this project - they weren't bought out or relocated to new housing - just evicted with very little notice - and many were taken from their homes by force. There are still people around who lived through that experience - and these stories have been repeated and spread among everyone who lives in the Boston area.
Whenever architects go around praising this building they sound like complete asshats. oh - it's a good thing we destroyed a neighborhood and a bunch of families were thrown out onto the street because we got this "great building" that no one who works there actually likes.
This is why people hate this building.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.