16 ugly buildings that I actually love

16 ugly buildings that I actually love

I've spoken before about my part-time love of architecture. I openly admire Gothic and Art Nouveau, but secretly I've always loved Brutalism.

I say “secretly” because brutalist buildings are ugly – seriously ugly – but there is also a dark and haunting beauty amidst the ugliness. Here are my favorite brutalist buildings (sometimes known as ugly buildings) from around the world.

In general, I've plucked images from Wikipedia rather than using elaborate, filtered shots from unconventional angles so that I can show the true horror of these structures. Tell me what I missed in the comments below. (Or call me a philistine with no taste at all.)

1. Balfron Tower by Ernő Goldfinger, London

alt="“>(Image: Sebastian F, Creative Commons)

One of my sisters had the pleasure (?) of living in Balfron Towers a few years ago. It's as dark in real life as it is on screen, which may be why Danny Boyle used it in his horror film 28 Days Later.

Goldfinger, who also designed Trellick Tower and Brownfield Estate, was author Ian Fleming's inspiration for James Bond villain Auric Goldfinger. Apparently, the real Goldfinger consulted his lawyers when Goldfinger was released in 1959 (prompting Fleming to threaten to rename the character "Goldprick") but decided not to sue.

Fleming's publishers agreed to cover Goldfinger's legal fees and gave him six free copies of the book.

2. 102 Little France by Sir Basil Spence, London

alt=““>(Image: Stephen Richard, Creative Commons)

This office building in Westminster was the headquarters of the British Home Office between 1978 and 2004. Its creator, Sir Basil Spence, has since been accused of ruining St James Park with his towering colossus.

3. Habitat 67 by Moshe Safdie, Montreal

alt=“Living Space”>(Image: Vassgergely, Creative Commons)

This sprawling complex was designed to combine the benefits of suburban living (gardens, fresh air and privacy) with the economics and density of multi-family housing. Now an architectural landmark, its apartments are highly sought after.

4. Robarts Library by Mathers & Haldenby Architects, Toronto

alt=“Robarts”>(Image: Dr.K., Creative Commons)

The University of Toronto's Humanities and Social Sciences Library contains more than 4.5 million book-form books, 4.1 million microform books, and 740,000 other books, earning it the name "Fort Book."

5. Geisel Library by William L. Pereira & Associates, San Diego

alt="“>(Image: Antoine Taveneaux, Creative Commons)

The University of California's Geisel Library has lower floors numbered 1 and 2 and upper floors numbered 4 through 8, leading to several theories as to why the third floor is sealed off. The most popular theory is that the designers had not taken into account the possible weight of the books, so the third floor was left empty out of necessity.

6. Tricorn Center by Owen Luder and Rodney Gordon, Portsmouth

alt=““>(Image: Foofy, Creative Commons)

Demolished in 2004, the Tricorn Center was notable for housing one of the first Virgin Megastores as well as the largest Laser Quest arena in Europe. Today there is a car park in its place… which basically says everything you need to know about Portsmouth.

7. Robin Hood Gardens by Alison and Peter Smithson, London

alt=““>(Image: Steve Cadman, Creative Commons)

This council estate (along with the aforementioned Balfron Towers) shows why I love my home borough of Tower Hamlets so much: it's ugly but full of character. Unfortunately, these “gardens” are now going through a “redevelopment phase” so they may also end up as a parking lot.

8. Marina City by Bertrand Goldberg, Chicago

alt="“>(Image: Ashley Crum, Creative Commons)

These 65-story towers are intended to be residential and commercial, but it's the parked cars that catch your attention and make the buildings look like 65-story parking garages. Still, they're pretty impressive - just like the rest of Chicago.

9. Torre Velasca from BBPR, Milan

alt="“>(Image: David Orban, Creative Commons)

This example of “modern Italian architecture” with its brutalist features houses a mix of residential and commercial units. While it's certainly eye-catching, it's clearly at odds with Milan's reputation as an elegant and stylish city.

10. Ponte City Apartments by Mannie Feldman, Johannesburg

alt=““>(Image: Geoffrey Hancock, Creative Commons)

This 64-story cylindrical building is the tallest skyscraper in Africa. Built in 1975, it was a highly sought-after address, but has since become a symbol of crime and urban decay. The central space, known as the "core," was intended to allow additional light into the apartments, but is now reportedly filled with rubble nearly five stories high.

11. Robert Rathbun Wilson Hall by Alan H. Rider, Batavia (near Chicago)

alt=“Photo of ugly buildings”>(Image: WMGoBuffs, Creative Commons)

This alien structure is part of Fermilab, a national laboratory specializing in high-energy particle physics, which is probably all I can reasonably say on the subject.

12. Shri Ram Center by Shiv Nath Prasad, New Delhi

alt=““>(Image: Ekabhishek, Creative Commons)

This building - which looks like it should house an accounting firm that specializes in reviewing the tax records of financial advisory firms - is actually an arts and cultural center dedicated to Indian theater. Apparently appearances can be deceiving.

13. Aula TU Delft by Van den Broek en Bakema, Delft

alt=“Aula”>(Image: Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, Creative Commons)

The auditorium, part of the largest and oldest public technical university in the Netherlands, houses the university's main restaurant and shop, as well as lecture halls and university administrative offices. In direct contrast to the Shri Ram Center, it is less interesting than it looks.

14. SESC Pompéia by Lina Bo Bardi, Vila Pompeji (near São Paulo)

alt="“>(Image: Paulisson Miura, Creative Commons)

This center for culture and leisure is said to have revolutionized São Paulo's attitude to its outdated industrial areas. Now with a theater, swimming pool, cafeteria, restaurant and exhibition space, it is a far cry from the barrel factory it once was.

15. Orange County Government Center by Paul Rudolph, New York

alt=““>(Image: Daniel Case, Creative Commons)

After its construction in 1967, this government building was promptly described as a “monster”. In 2010, County Executive Edward Diana said, "If I took a survey in town, it would be torn down tomorrow." He proposed a replacement building, but the county vetoed the $114 million cost.

17. Sofitel Tokyo by Kiyonori Kikutake, Tokyo

alt=““>(Image: Lover of Romance, Creative Commons)

This hotel, a cross between a spaceship and Godzilla, closed in 2006 and now has the dubious distinction of being the tallest building in Tokyo to be demolished.

Note: I left out The Barbican because it's not pretty-ugly, just ugly-ugly.
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