The results were out today of Building Design Magazine’s annual Carbuncle Cup, which scours Britain for the country’s ugliest buildings. The award shortlist consisted of six projects, reported by the magazine to be the worst architectural projects in Britain.
Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis read the shortlist with interest when it was announced nearly a fortnight ago. The Redcar Beacon – a ‘vertical pier’ containing a café, shops and a viewing platform – was among the contenders, as was Lambeth’s Premier Inn. Hristoforos commented:
“England has so many incredible architectural projects, it has been amusing to read about those deemed to be at the opposite end of the scale. London’s historical buildings give the city so much majesty and grandeur, but some modern designs don’t seem to live up to people’s expectations.”
A water sports centre in Colwyn Bay, in Wales, also made the shortlist. The magazine reported that locals have named it ‘the dumpster.’ Oxford’s Castle Mill student accommodation project and the Avant Garde block of flats on London’s Bethnal Green Road were also contenders.
Topping everything, though, and taking home the Carbuncle Cup as Britain’s ugliest building, is the new UCL student block on Caledonian Road in London. Building Design Magazine reported that judges failed to see how the building could be considered ‘fit for human occupation’ in a rather damning report on the project.
Originally refused planning permission by Islington Council, reportedly for reasons of poor quality of amenity and poor quality of design, the UCL project went ahead after the council’s decision was overturned by a government inspector. While UCL has advised that the building complies with all necessary planning regulations in respect of natural daylight, the Carbuncle Cup judges found that the majority of rooms offered little privacy and lacked adequate daylight.
Hristoforos’ wife BoryanaShehtova commented on the judges’ decision:
“It is such a pity that a building designed to house some of the next generation of Britain’s professionals has been judged as being of such poor quality. I feel sorry for those students who are going to be allocated rooms there if the amenities really are as bad as the magazine article says. Student accommodation in Britain has come a long way in recent years and it would be a shame to see standards slipping back to poorer quality housing.”
UCL has defended its building and stated that it is happy with the outcome of the project, which was designed by Stephen George and Partners. The redevelopment has seen large parts of the original protected redbrick warehouse demolished, though some of the former frontage has been preserved. Hristoforos added:
“Some of London’s old warehouses provide such a beautiful glimpse into what the city must have been like in the past. Though not all architecturally beautiful, there is a solidity and functionality to the buildings that I can’t help but find appealing. To see one renovated and rebuilt in this way – resulting in it being awarded the title of Britain’s ugliest building – is really a big disappointment.”
The Carbuncle Cup has been held every year since 2006, when it was first won by Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth.
Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis read the shortlist with interest when it was announced nearly a fortnight ago. The Redcar Beacon – a ‘vertical pier’ containing a café, shops and a viewing platform – was among the contenders, as was Lambeth’s Premier Inn. Hristoforos commented:
“England has so many incredible architectural projects, it has been amusing to read about those deemed to be at the opposite end of the scale. London’s historical buildings give the city so much majesty and grandeur, but some modern designs don’t seem to live up to people’s expectations.”
A water sports centre in Colwyn Bay, in Wales, also made the shortlist. The magazine reported that locals have named it ‘the dumpster.’ Oxford’s Castle Mill student accommodation project and the Avant Garde block of flats on London’s Bethnal Green Road were also contenders.
Topping everything, though, and taking home the Carbuncle Cup as Britain’s ugliest building, is the new UCL student block on Caledonian Road in London. Building Design Magazine reported that judges failed to see how the building could be considered ‘fit for human occupation’ in a rather damning report on the project.
Originally refused planning permission by Islington Council, reportedly for reasons of poor quality of amenity and poor quality of design, the UCL project went ahead after the council’s decision was overturned by a government inspector. While UCL has advised that the building complies with all necessary planning regulations in respect of natural daylight, the Carbuncle Cup judges found that the majority of rooms offered little privacy and lacked adequate daylight.
Hristoforos’ wife BoryanaShehtova commented on the judges’ decision:
“It is such a pity that a building designed to house some of the next generation of Britain’s professionals has been judged as being of such poor quality. I feel sorry for those students who are going to be allocated rooms there if the amenities really are as bad as the magazine article says. Student accommodation in Britain has come a long way in recent years and it would be a shame to see standards slipping back to poorer quality housing.”
UCL has defended its building and stated that it is happy with the outcome of the project, which was designed by Stephen George and Partners. The redevelopment has seen large parts of the original protected redbrick warehouse demolished, though some of the former frontage has been preserved. Hristoforos added:
“Some of London’s old warehouses provide such a beautiful glimpse into what the city must have been like in the past. Though not all architecturally beautiful, there is a solidity and functionality to the buildings that I can’t help but find appealing. To see one renovated and rebuilt in this way – resulting in it being awarded the title of Britain’s ugliest building – is really a big disappointment.”
The Carbuncle Cup has been held every year since 2006, when it was first won by Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth.
