I love architecture. I also like ugly architecture. I'm just interested in it. Why were patently ugly structures designed, approved, and built? In some cases, there's an easy explanation.
The soviets built many ugly building because they were often short on resources and the blocky, plain-Jane style was meant as a rebuke to Western decadence. In other cases, it just seems to be a matter of bad taste. Consider the following:
It seems to me that most of the ugliest buildings were built in the 70s. This is probably partly to do with the energy crisis during that period. People got worried about the waste caused by lots of windows, so we were left with clunky, concrete buildings with small windows. To wit:
Anyway, here's a list of some buildings I consider to be especially ugly:
This gem (former headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company) clearly has pretty limited resale value. Somehow they did manage to sell it after the company moved. Not sure whether they're leaving it a basket. Embarrassing headquarters for any non-basket company if so.
Here's another disgrace. Whatever your political affiliations, this is gaudy.
How could I not include this. As I alluded to in the beginning, I think the design here is meant to project an attitude - ascetic and aggressive. Nothing poetic or nuanced. Sound familiar? The design mimics the characteristics of the regime.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/J.Edgar_Hoover_Building-from_street-_2706.jpg
Here, we've got one of those examples of a middle 20th-century small-window, cement facade nightmare. It's not graceful, has no personality, and this seems to suit the agency that occupies the building - the FBI.
See my comments regarding Trump Tower.
Not sure what you'd call this design - absurdist architecture? I think this is simply hideous - a big block supported by spindly, cattywampus beams? Can't believe people sign off on this.
Thanks for reading to my bitter rant. As always, these opinions are a matter of personal taste, and are subject to debate.
Have a wonderful night.