Someone Asked “What Is The Ugliest Building In Your Country?” And 50 People Didn’t Hold Back

A good building is one that finds the right synthesis between aesthetics on the one hand and functionality on the other. But, truth be told, far from every architect, designer, or urban planner can get this balance right. Some of their projects turn out to be so divisive that they’re both criticized and lauded by locals.

Design-savvy internet users with good taste took to a thread on ‘AskTheWorld’ to call out what they believe are the quirkiest and ugliest buildings in their home countries. They’re the type of architectural projects that you might love to hate or hate to love. Scroll down to check out the pics, and don’t forget to share your opinions.

Anon:
That’s where the local super villain lives.

I think it was voted one of the ugliest buildings in the US a while back.

According to CNN, truly ugly buildings tend to have some things in common.

They tend to divide the general public, local residents, and architects. They are so controversial that people protest against them.

These projects usually have very big budgets associated with them. And they’re often attempts by architects to create contemporary or futuristic styling.

Balance is everything. A building that is aesthetic but not functional will be beautiful to look at, but it will be a waste of space and a drain on resources. On the other end of the scale, a fully functional building that has no real architectural identity, and is bland or even ugly to look at, might push the locals away and harm the city’s reputation.

You need a symbiosis between beauty and function to bring out the full potential of any building. And while we can’t expect anything close to perfection from any random project, when you’re talking about massive budgets and world-renowned architects, you tend to expect, well, quality.

Stucklikegluetomyfry:
Was designing it to look like a giant toilet intentional?

They look like the letters L U and L and spell literally the Dutch word for the male genitals.

What you find beautiful is a matter of taste, sure. But that’s only true to a certain extent. Objectively speaking, there are obvious things not to do when it comes to architecture and design. Like making it clash with the architectural style and legacy of the area surrounding it. Or using overly risky designs or cheap materials that won’t stand the test of time.

Yes, it’s likely that no building will ever be universally praised, and there will always be critics. But intentionally creating divisive designs isn’t a good approach. That being said, you also don’t want to steer clear in the opposite direction with bland, boring, soulless designs that aren’t even a tiny bit memorable. Ideally, as a designer, you want to be bold without being brash.

It makes me think about the panopticon. Was showcase in the Eternaut TV show on Netflix.

Which of the buildings featured here do you personally think are the worst of the bunch? Or, were there any buildings that you genuinely liked due to how unique and quirky they were, despite them being divisive and controversial?

What, in your opinion, is the very worst architectural project in your hometown? What’s the best? Let us know! We’d love to hear your perspective in the comments.

It’s kinda ugly, kinda cute?

It’s in the Netherlands and actually got voted ugliest building in the country for a while.

This one is ugly outside and also incredibly ugly and smelly inside. (China)

Actually won an award, too.

Some people will say the UTS Tower, but they just don’t know how to appreciate brutalist architecture.

…it has three legs.

Yes, it’s a church, or more precisely, a pilgrimage church – built in 1968, in glorious concrete.

It’s hard to find a good picture of it because it doesn’t really have any photogenic angle to it.

You all are just pessimistic, image walking past this unimaginative mess everyday, sits empty and city won’t tear it down because of historical significance from what was told.

This building is known for its giant stainless steel “hairy crab” image, which is 75 meters long and 16 meters high. Its appearance is lifelike. It was originally planned as a crab-themed commercial complex to showcase crab culture, but due to controversies over its design and construction, part of it has been demolished and rebuilt. However, it has left a deep impression on people as a unique landmark.

For some reason someone approved this design and it’s visible to anyone in the city centre, the hot spot for every single tourist that visits the city. Looks like a massive jobby making its way up to the heavens.

Idk what’s worse, the brutalist aesthetic, the rusted metal decorations, or the fact that the architects had every tree on that street cut down and never replanted like they said they would.

Impressive-Time8150:
Idk abt ugly… boring, definitely. That is just a shampoo bottle.

Actually kinda hard to find a photo that does it justice, all the other photos don’t seem to capture the off yellow aged worn out artistic brutalist vibes.

It’s even worse because Wellington is such a pretty city next to the ocean, cradled by lush hills, with lots of quirky buildings. And then in the middle our parliament building is… this. And man, it wasn’t until I saw a thread like this that I found out other countries have impressive, aesthetically pleasing parliament buildings, tourist destinations! Tourists come to look at this, but I doubt they’d recommend it to their friends.

The concept proposed a huge green space through the splits in a building. Might have worked if they didn’t build it in a high desert.

Next to the Asahi Beer Tower (which represents a tall glass of beer with white foam at the top) is Asahi Beer Hall.
The buildings were designed by the French architect Philippe Starck, and the golden thing atop the beer hall is supposed to be a golden flame (it’s official name is “Flamme d’Or” which is French for “Golden Flame.”)

Why? It dwarfes everything around, it is disproportional and has been innaugurated in 2025 – so it just looks old, but isn’t. Also having golden shiny roofs makes my eyes hurt. Made out of tax / public funds.

Someone Asked “What Is The Ugliest Building In Your Country?” And 50 People Didn’t Hold Back

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