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When you hear that someone’s an architect or a designer, odds are that you’re impressed. If you’re like us, you might imagine that they build gorgeous skyscrapers and meticulously work to elevate interiors to perfection. However, not all ‘pros’ are of the same caliber. Some look like they’re just winging it. 

We’ve collected some of the top posts (read: biggest nightmares) from the r/BadArchitecture and r/ArchitectureFails subreddits to show you just how bad things can get. We’re not only talking about a lack of taste, some of these structural decisions are downright dangerous! Scroll down for some architectural madness. You’ll swear you’ve accidentally stumbled down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland…

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#2

Control C + Control V X 10000000000

Control C + Control V X 10000000000

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#3

That’s Not A Kitchen Island. Kitchen Lagoon?

That’s Not A Kitchen Island. Kitchen Lagoon?

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The r/BadArchitecture online community was founded in early 2012, and it currently has just over 2.7k members. Meanwhile, the r/ArchitectureFails group, also started up in 2012, has 670 members.

They are niche subreddits that focus on one thing and one thing alone—showing the world just how bizarre and mind-meltingly low-quality some buildings have been designed. Fridges in the middle of the kitchen, wonky windows, and Extremely Precarious Death Stairs (patent pending) are just the tip of the iceberg.

#4

Start Small, And Then Just Expand! House In Cambodia

Start Small, And Then Just Expand! House In Cambodia

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#5

Stair

Stair

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#6

This House

This House

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know what's worse, the weird mishmash of styles or the fact the pillars aren't on the corners.

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One of the best skills you can have as an architect (and that goes for practically any other career path as well) is being a capable leader. That means knowing how to communicate clearly and efficiently with others, supporting and respecting your team, and being able to find compromises when things get tense.

Without decent leadership or communication skills, you can have the best and brightest ideas in the entire realm, but that won’t do you much good if you can’t turn your imaginative blueprints into reality. No architect is an island—they have to be team players.

#7

This Flight Of Stairs Right Outside A Bedroom

This Flight Of Stairs Right Outside A Bedroom

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Brenda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would never get approved! I think there has been some unpermitted "home improvements" made

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#9

I Want To Understand... I Really Do

I Want To Understand... I Really Do

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's obviously deliberate, but why? Curtains won't hang right. The angled windows don't open by the look of it. When you go to resell you cut down the number of potential buyers drastically. And to top it off, it doesn't really look that great anyway.

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Poor communication skills will inevitably lead to a deep divide between what the designer envisioned and what the contractors have built. When there’s ambiguity in the blueprints or instructions, you’re essentially letting the builders decide what to do themselves. And that’s exactly what they’ll do if the architect isn’t on-site, ready to field questions.

#10

Something About This Shower In My Old Childhood House

Something About This Shower In My Old Childhood House

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#11

An Apartment In London That Has No Front Door. Just A Set Of Stairs Leading Up To A Window

An Apartment In London That Has No Front Door. Just A Set Of Stairs Leading Up To A Window

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Narwhal Blast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was no architect or engineer involved in here... I've seen this one before, the owner modified this in order to charge an obscene amount of money for rent. This article is so bad, on a lot of them there is no architect involved...

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#12

But Why?

But Why?

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Open plan gets pushed too far sometimes. I think it's ok to a point, but this has gone past that point.

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Meanwhile, the New Jersey Institute of Technology also stresses the need to have top-notch design and problem-solving skills, as well as a background in mathematics and a solid understanding of the law. What’s more, good architects will be computer-savvy and have a way to turn their creativity into clear visuals.

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#14

This Combination Staircase/Cellar/ Bathroom Gets Worse Every Second You Look At It

This Combination Staircase/Cellar/ Bathroom Gets Worse Every Second You Look At It

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Jihana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wondered... If someone is using the toilet anyone in the basement is trapped til that person is finished?

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At times, poor design decisions aren’t a result of maliciousness on the contractors’ part. They might have been the best course of action, given the circumstances and (a lack of) resources. In other words, when you need to keep a deadline, you look for ways to get the job done, instead of aiming for ‘perfection’ (if that even exists). In times like this, it often helps to look at the property you just bought as an eternal ‘work in progress.’ Not every detail will be to your liking, but with enough care and attention, you can make your house feel like a home.

#17

This Thing On Bratislava Castle

This Thing On Bratislava Castle

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The Exquisite Pancake
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m guessing they were renovating but then a bunch of people got annoyed because it was a part of history? I have no idea what I’m talking about so I may just be spouting nonsense

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However, in other cases, mistakes happen because the contractor team might be lazy, looking to cut costs, or might simply want to get the project over as quickly as possible. 

Ariane Sherine, the former editor at ‘These Three Rooms,’ previously told Bored Panda why mistakes happen and what we can all do to embrace that our homes are imperfect.

"Certain materials might be unavailable so they decide to use an unsuitable substitute, or they might have a surplus of the substitute that they want to use up. They might be misinformed and not very good at their job and think they're doing the right thing. Or they might be trying to save money and end up cutting corners as a result," the interior design expert shared why mistakes can and do crop up in homes.

#19

There's No Entrance To The Balcony Except For That Little Window

There's No Entrance To The Balcony Except For That Little Window

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duckie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A house opposite mine has that. When the balconies were added to the old house, tenants got their rent raised for having access to a a balcony. This one tenant refused, so they didn't expand their window into a door. Doesn't stop them from having a table, seating, plants etc. on the balcony, they just clim out the window!

Vermonta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sister and I used to go out on the 2nd floor porch roof through our bedroom windows. We survived

that 𝕤𝕒𝕡𝕚𝕠 planet
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True but you clearly were crazy enough to make a BP account so there may have been a brain injury or two /j

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SeaLouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is unfortunately normal in America. Fake balconies, fake rooms, towers, etc in modern buildings.

Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe the fence is there more to keep people using the sidewalk passing by from using the space than to provide a livable patio for whoever owns that window. Keep 10 year old kids from sitting outside your bathroom peeking in.

PenguinQueen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... Does the job.. I remember in secondary school, they would lock the door for our 'registration form rooms' but it was so cold, it just became the norm for us all to enter through the broken window. Teachers were always bemused, until they realised what we had been doing and the *uckers superglued the windows shut... For our safety?! More like a power move I think.

Timbob
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could climb over the rail from the outside. ohhhhhh wait !

Cuppa tea?
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't looks like to was originally planned a balcony - since there is one right newt on the left. More likely someone took the opportunity to make a private terrace.

Reinaldo Fuentes
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How much y'all wanna bet the rental agreement stipulates that you can NOT go out the window onto the not-patio because it's just decorative and won't bear weight?

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#20

This Floor Plan Is A Dungeon

This Floor Plan Is A Dungeon

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Jihana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the garage directly to the master bedroom? But as a migraine sufferer I dig the bedroom in the centre. No windows, so it's nice and dark, with access to both toilets in case you have to throw up.

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#21

Why?

Why?

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Kosnian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Found an old window during renovations, it's possible the historical buildings protection required it remains visible. Execution could qualify as questionable though

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One example of a contractor not being worth their salt is opting for materials that don’t fit the purpose. For instance, if they decide to use wood like oak, ash, and pine outdoors, which are not weather resistant, there’s probably something fishy going on.

Other red flags include not following the right process during an installation, “such as not tanking a wetroom to ensure it's waterproof.”

#22

Feel Sorry For The Person Who Thought It Was A Fire Escape

Feel Sorry For The Person Who Thought It Was A Fire Escape

noah-dee33 Report

#24

The House Next Door #fail

The House Next Door #fail

Snowwy12345678 Report

The interior design expert suggested learning from other people’s mistakes and only using licensed and vetted tradespeople for jobs. She also noted that no home is ever finished, so it’s best to embrace the quirks and see them as charming details that add character to the property.

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"There's always some problem, something to fix or replace that would make it better. Realistically, as long as there's nothing major such as a faulty boiler or leaking roof, it's up to the homeowner what they're willing to live with," she told us. In short, ensure that your home is functional, but try not to stress too much if every tiny little detail doesn't align. So long as you're not in danger or incredibly inconvenienced, whether or not you can live in an imperfectly designed home becomes a matter of perspective and taste.

#28

Luxury Spanish Colonial Revival Prison Style Apartments

Luxury Spanish Colonial Revival Prison Style Apartments

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#29

This Staris Gives Me The Creeps

This Staris Gives Me The Creeps

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#30

Bathroom I Found In A Rundown Theatre

Bathroom I Found In A Rundown Theatre

lazulilizard Report

Which of these architecture and design disasters impressed you the most, Pandas? Were there any that you would genuinely classify as epic fails? What's the very worst design fail that you've seen with your own eyes? We'd love to hear what you think, so feel free to pop by the comments to share your opinions.

#31

A Square House On Top Of A Tower ??

A Square House On Top Of A Tower ??

lamasypatoche Report

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Kosnian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Replacement of a 18th or 19th century tower round roof with a construction to gain access to an apartment added on the roof in the 60s or 70s. The tower contains the staircase. Probably north of France.

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#32

New Wall They Made At My Work

New Wall They Made At My Work

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#33

The Balconies Are Done Boss

The Balconies Are Done Boss

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Frosty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The spin-off of silence of the lambs, silence of the bar, didnt go so well

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#37

An Outhouse In New Mexico (Tinted Red Because Of My Headlamp)

An Outhouse In New Mexico (Tinted Red Because Of My Headlamp)

lazulilizard Report

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Panda Kicki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isnt weird. Swedish outhoses traditionally often have 2-4 holes and going there was/is a social thing.

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#38

Seriously? Just “Y”? As A Designer This Is So Grating

Seriously? Just “Y”? As A Designer This Is So Grating

indyarchyguy Report

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Cara
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shame there was no room to place the Y lower… oh wait!

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#40

Seems Pretty Useless

Seems Pretty Useless

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LK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like to see what's just to the left of the 'disabled' sign. I suspect it is a bell, or button, to call for someone's attention. Hey, it could even be a lift, elevator or ramp.

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#41

Great Closet

Great Closet

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Kobe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great indeed for ironing board, as they did. Perfect for all other cleaning stuff too. The other side has a door too, just needs some shelves. See no problem here.

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#42

This Door Makes Me Mad

This Door Makes Me Mad

borntodie232 Report

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is an old greenhouse that has been partially modified at some point. You can also see the bolt holes where some sort of additional lock hasp has been installed on the other side of the door. Nothing to be "mad" about here.

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#43

Architect: "What Do You Want?" Me: "You Know The Graphics They Used On 80s Vhs Movies?" Architect: "Say No More."

Architect: "What Do You Want?" Me: "You Know The Graphics They Used On 80s Vhs Movies?" Architect: "Say No More."

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#44

When You Don’t Think All The Way Through Your Drainage System

When You Don’t Think All The Way Through Your Drainage System

Alie_writes Report

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Pieter LeGrande
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Done on the cheap. The downpipe could have gone down into the kerb, then a right-angle exit to the gutter.

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#45

University Of The Arts. Chaco, Argentina

University Of The Arts. Chaco, Argentina

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#47

Architecture At It's Peak

Architecture At It's Peak

reddit.com Report

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Kobe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just a french balcony. Not a problem, they are meant for ventilation, not a full balcony.

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#48

Ah Yes A Face Full Of Fence

Ah Yes A Face Full Of Fence

ItsBerry07 Report

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Niki A
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, this looks like property where a house was demolished, and the lot was likely sold with the neighboring property.

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#50

A Kid’s Sims Model Irl ?

A Kid’s Sims Model Irl ?

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Kobe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is wrong with this? I suppose a lot of people would be very happy with this...

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