Comments on: World’s ugliest buildings?

By: Arccentric

Arccentric — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:32:48 +0000

I actually didn’t think the first building was ugly at all…

By: Doug C.

Doug C. — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:15:21 +0000

I like Boston City Hall, although it is a failure in its integration and scale, and many of the other entries on this list, Breuer’s Whitney I consider a masterpiece.
I think the Chicago Public Library is repulsive and an example of why classicism has faded (A friend did the competition renderings for the winner and I had an argument with him about classicism at the time).
I can’t say I care much what the public thinks, they buy hideous McMansions and drive ridiculous over-sized cars, most of mass current taste will be on the scrap heap of history. Loverboy, anyone?

By: LB

LB — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:16:58 +0000

Steve, I know! It’s odd. Hatred of change.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:54:56 +0000

By this measure the public dislikes brutalism, post-modernism, and all things playful or expressive … provided it’s contemporary. Didn’t they build ugly before 1960? Some of the Asian entries are jarring to my western eye, but many of the buildings on this list are very interesting and well executed.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:44:10 +0000

There are some monstrosities that definitely belong on the list. Of the buildings that I have seen in person, I think Boston City Hall is probably the most oppressive and unpleasant to be around.

On the other hand, the Chicago Public Library is on the list and I go out of my way to look at it when I’m in Chicago. I think it’s great just because it’s so over-the-top.

By: LB

LB — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:40:31 +0000

In reply to Mr.B. Don't disagree with that (esp the loss of the previous building). But "world's ugliest building?"

By: Mr.B

Mr.B — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:25:36 +0000

Two Columbus Circle is extremely ugly and already dated. It is basically a bad makeover of a glorious (but much maligned) Edward Durrell Stone building that was one of my favorite buildings in New York.