A well-designed building strikes a delicate balance between beauty and practicality. Achieving this harmony, however, isn’t easy, and not every architect, designer, or urban planner manages to do so. Some structures end up sparking debate, drawing both admiration and criticism from the people who live near them.
On the forum ‘AskTheWorld,’ design enthusiasts have been sharing what they consider the most unusual and unattractive buildings in their countries. These are the kinds of projects that provoke strong reactions—you might find yourself fascinated, frustrated, or a mix of both. Keep scrolling to see the images, and don’t hesitate to weigh in with your thoughts.
#1 Bank In Tuzla, Bosnia
#2 North China University Of Water Resources And Electric Power Has Them Beat
#3 The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Headquarters In Hyderabad, India
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.
#4 This Is The Town Hall Of The City That I Went To High School In. We Nicknamed It “The Pimple”
#5 Museum Of Pop Culture In Seattle
Honestly, what is this?
#6 These Student Housing Appartments In The Netherlands Are Quite Insulting
This just looks like a prison!
#7 The Jiangsu Hairy Crab Building Refers To The “Hairy Crab Ecological Museum” Located On The Shore Of Yangcheng Lake In Kunshan, Suzhou, China
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.
#8 This Example Of High Australian Architecture Is Up For Sale
#9 Home Of The Richest Man In India, This Architectural Malpractice Cost 1 Billion Dollars By The Way
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.
What do you think? Comment below!
Fish tower pretty cool tho ngl I fwi