Ugly buildings

[Drasko]

Novi Beograd (New Belgrade), built in 60s on former marsh land across the Sava river, this on the picture is just a small part of it, there are miles and miles of these concrete blocks monstrosities.

[pjme]

The National basilica in Brussels / Koekelberg. For many years the most controversial building in Belgium : always more money was needed to finish it....( it was built between 1930 and 1970!) Many hate it for that reason . As far as i know it is still unfinished ( in details). Yet, over the years people start to understand that it is real ( albeit late) Art Deco - and the finish & details (inside) are really refined....

[Lethevich]

[Drasko]

This is one of the gates of Belgrade fortress and there is absolutely nothing ugly about it. Attached picture is an office building (made for some or other Nouveau riche) in my neighborhood, imitating the gates shape probably in some sort of attempt to give it some pathetic sense of heritage or something.

[Lethevich]

I love those kind of low-profile castles - is it a gunpowder age one?

[karlhenning]

EmpNapoleon, leave some fish in the barrel for others to shoot! 

[Drasko]

I love those kind of low-profile castles - is it a gunpowder age one?

Belgrade Fortress was built, destroyed then rebuilt probably million times from it's beginnings in 3rd Century BC. Most of what exists today is from mid 15th - early 16th century with major reconstruction during 18th Century. That particular gate is mid 15th, I think.



edit: ...built between 1427 and 1456. The gate consisted of 2 towers with cannons, and therefore was the most fortified entrance to the Fortress.

[Lethevich]

...built between 1427 and 1456. The gate consisted of 2 towers with cannons, and therefore was the most fortified entrance to the Fortress.

Ah coolie, the flat types designed for using and withstanding canons are so interesting - one of my favourites is Deal Castle:

[маразм1]

[Renfield]

Ah coolie, the flat types designed for using and withstanding canons are so interesting [..]

Indeed! And if you like this sort of fortress architecture (I admit being partial to more "pure" gothic forms, myself), you should come and see some excellent examples of it in Greece: from the one in Rodos, built and maintained by the Knights Hospitalers for many years, to the Naphplion fortress (which was likely the last one to rotate out of use)...

And of course my birth-place, Heraklion, which was a fortress-city for centuries! Complete with a (now dry) impressive moat, and very prominently displaying the flat-top motif, as well; not to mention the vast walls, which were mostly torn down by municipal authorities for the sake of "clearing land", and other bullshit, if you'll excuse the term.

*coughs* Fortress interlude over.

[Lilas Pastia]

A couple of controversial new buildings from my city (Toronto).  I actually like both of them, but I can understand why others might disagree.



Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Architect:  Daniel Libeskind




Sharp Centre for Design, at the Ontario College of Art and Design

Hate the Chin, love the Sharp.

But seriously, how do you get in?

[маразм1]

that thing doesnt look solid.  it feels like it'll break very soon.

[Lilas Pastia]

My alma mater, Université de Montréal. Central Tower, affectionately referred to as 'the penis' for three generations. A mighty erection standing on top of Mt-Royal, it is seen from a great distance. May have contributed to give the city its wild reputation.

[Florestan]

My alma mater, Université de Montréal. Central Tower, affectionately referred to as 'the penis' for three generations. A mighty erection standing on top of Mt-Royal, it is seen from a great distance. May have contributed to give the city its wild reputation.

This is indeed a monstrosity.

[Shrunk]

Hate the Chin, love the Sharp.

But seriously, how do you get in?

Although it's not clear from the photo, the rear third or so actually rests on top of the lower reddish building in behind, which is how it's entered.  That's also the main means of support, with the thinner coloured "pencils" (which actually are shaped like pencils when you see them up close) acting like cables on a suspension bridge.  The red slanted attachment is apparently an emergency exit.  I recall hearing the structure was designed to withstand earthquakes, though I can't find any reference to that now.

[sidoze]

what's wrong with this one? the windows reminded me of the Fred & Ginger dancing building in Prague (which I think looks great -- and has a great position on the river)






love it. so chaotic and disorientating. Can't stand the Sharp Centre though -- hideous. I remember reading about it a couple years ago in the Royal Academy magazine, designed by a Royal Academician, and back then I thought the same thing Karl said now.



looks like one of those 3D music graphs on a computer.

[71 dB]

looks like one of those 3D music graphs on a computer.

Looks like a waterfall representation (time-frequency analysis of sound)

[sidoze]

Looks like a waterfall representation (time-frequency analysis of sound)

yep. There you have it I think it looks quite charming from the air

[Renfield]

yep. There you have it I think it looks quite charming from the air

Imagine driving through it, though...

[karlhenning]

Imagine driving through it, though...

Exactly.  Most of the people who live and work there, won't be approaching from the air.