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People on the internet love to shame others for their choices. Whether it's tragic hairdos, crafts, or proposals, people love pointing out how tasteless others can be. It gives us a sense of superiority, of course, but there's another element too. We might just be having some harmless fun and being silly.

Architecture is no different when it comes to being shamed. Online, there are groups and pages dedicated to bad decisions that some architects and interior designers have made throughout the years. The "I'm Architecture Shaming" page is all about that kind of content, so, scroll down and see some of its best posts below!

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    #3

    Not Exactly Architecture But This Is A Crime Against Interior Design

    Bathroom with excessive fabric decorations, embodying architecture shaming trends in design.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

    There's hardly any objective critique when it comes to shaming architecture. What looks tasteless and offensive to some might appear classy and attractive to others. Yet there are some types of buildings that get shamed online more often than others. 

    Brutalist architecture, McMansions, and overly gimmicky contemporary buildings, or attempts at imitating established architects and their timeless style, for example. So, let's explore some of the biggest (according to the internet) architectural sins that people love to dunk on.

    #5

    As Seen Somewhere In Ohio. It Looked Normal And Fairly Nice From The Front And Then I Saw The Sides Of The Building

    Unique architectural design with triangular patterns on building, viewed from multiple angles.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

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    #6

    Adding On An Exexexexextension

    A long, awkwardly designed house with mismatched windows, criticized for bad architecture.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Comes time to move, the whole thing telescope collapses into one small single unit, and is then put on a flatbed trailer, like Tex Avery's 'House of Tomorrow'.

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    McMansions are one type of houses many people love to hate. What exactly are McMansions? It's almost like a mansion, but not quite. According to Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants, they're large like mansions, but culturally as ubiquitous as McDonald's fast food restaurants.

    From an aesthetic point of view, McMansions don't appeal to people because they lack symmetry. They often have bombastic entrances; they feature stretched columns and oversized pediments. They seldom adhere to any one architectural style, period, or geographical location. They're sort of an architectural salad.

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    It wouldn't be fair to say that everybody hates McMansions. On the contrary, some people are demolishing historic modernist buildings to make way for their large homes. Just last year, actor Chris Pratt got a lot of flack from netizens for demolishing Craig Ellwood's Zimmerman House.

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    The actor chose to get rid of the historic mid-century building to make way for his new 5,000-square-foot farmhouse and people trolled him relentlessly for basically "buying a Rothko for the frame." 

    #11

    Love Me Some Brutalism, But Not Sure How I Feel About This One

    Brutalist architecture building with unconventional concrete design in Naples, Italy.

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    Yet Pratt and his family aren't the only ones demolishing historical mid-century Californian houses. There's a trend where people buy such estates and tear down the existing houses to build new McMansions in their place. Adrian Fine, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy, told WaPo that people see these as "valuable plots of dirt."

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    #15

    I Kinda Like It, But Could See Why Some People Would Hate It. I Would Absolutely Be Stubbing My Toe On That Bottom Step

    Unconventional spiral staircase design in modern interior, showcasing architecture shaming potential.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Stubbing a toe"? That thing would be gouging a deep trench in my shin!

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    Environmental psychologist Sally Augustin describes McMansions as unamenable for human comfort. Due to their high ceilings, the foyers and 'great rooms' are quite formal and lack coziness. Because most of the rooms are not rectangular, they can be stressful for some people. Especially when you're trying to think of where to put the furniture.

    #16

    Throw A Blanket Over That And You've Got A Pretty Sweet Fort

    Confusing architecture with a railing blocking stairway access, showcasing poor design choices.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, yeah... Curl up in there with a flashlight, a few pillows, a good book, and a cat or two!

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    McMansions are not from the world of high architecture. But they don't have to be: they're for the well-off suburbia. As Kriston Capps summarizes the sudden rise of McMansions for WaPo, tearing down historical houses by famous architects is a way to "[pit] elite aesthetics against conspicuous consumption."

    Brutalist buildings have a very distinct style, but not many people would like to live in one. When we think Brutalism, it's often government buildings and post-Soviet countries that come to mind. After the 1970s, people began to see them as overpowering and cold, and associated them with the ills of society instead of thinking of them as uplifting icons.

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    #23

    New Apartments Just Built Near Me

    Minimalist brick buildings with flat roofs under a clear blue sky, exemplifying architecturally shamed structures.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Little boxes made of Ticky-Tacky, and they all look just the same..."

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    Architecture can be funny, but when it's overdone, hardly anyone is laughing, at least in a good way. Take, for example, the "Big Basket" building in Ohio or the Dog Bark Park Inn that's shaped like a beagle. Although they might look fun for some, they don't really adhere to classic architecture design principles. Whether that's good or bad, we'll leave for you to decide.

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    We want houses to be pretty, sure, but shouldn't they also be comfortable, cozy, and, you know, feel like a home? More often than not, contemporary avant-garde houses sacrifice comfort for aesthetics. If you've followed our other posts about architecture shaming, you've probably seen structures that feature staircases that go nowhere, windows that don't open, and balconies that can't be accessed.

    What do you think have been the biggest crimes against architecture in this list, Pandas? Don't be shy and let us know in the comments. And if you want to chuckle at some more awful architecture, check out our post about the "That's It, "I'm Architecture Shaming!" group where folks really don't hold back their criticism.

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    #31

    One Job!!!! You Had One Job!

    Simple white house with off-center front door, showcasing awkward architecture design.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Real entrance is in the back. The front is for the exclusive benefit of door-to-door salesmen, Jehovah's Witnesses, and political candidates.

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    #33

    Kitchen By Artist Niki De Saint Phalle. It’s Atrocious, But I Also Really Like It

    A room full of reflective surfaces and chaotic, mirrored architecture.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

    #34

    My Hotel Room In Wellington Nz. Yes That Is A Giant Structural Pillar In The Middle Of The Room

    A bed in a small room awkwardly obstructed by a large pillar, showcasing poor architecture design.

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    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Back in the ‘90s, the University of Toledo built an educational annex at the Toledo Museum of Art. The building was ugly in many ways, but the worst design flaw was in one of the larger lecture halls. There were numerous pillars in the room blocking lines of sight…that stopped before reaching the ceiling. They served no structural purpose at all, only “aesthetic”.

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    #35

    Thought You'd Enjoy This Horrendous Shower With Not Just One Step To Get Into It, But A Second Into A Weird Pit, With Sharp Edges, Truly Horrendous Tiles, And Almost Certainly Loads Of Mildew, So Hard To Clean That!

    Mismatched tiled bathtub with a pyramid design showcasing odd architecture choices.

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    #37

    I’m Sure The Neighbors Are Thrilled

    Unusual wooden staircase structure attached to a house, illustrating architecture shaming.

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    Grenelda Thurber
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A house converted into three apartments? Wonder where the stairs the photographer is standing comes from.

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    #38

    I Have Made The Mistake Of Trying To Climb Those Stairs With The Handrail On My Right. (And No, There Is No Warning Sign At The Bottom)

    Awful architecture: a stairway with a safety hazard rail ending abruptly, leading to confusion and potential danger.

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    Carl Roberts
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one isn't hard to figure out. The handrail was added for safety reasons (likely after someone fell), and the stairs aren't blocked off because they give access to the benches on that side. And, there's no way OP couldn't figure that out. But, then again....

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    #40

    My Design Clients Want A Kitchen Remodel In Their New House Because They Hate Their "Wedding Cake Pantry"!

    Unusual architecture with a door leading to a small enclosed space and intricate ceiling design above.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

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    Earonn -
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But you could put plants and decorative vases up there! Also...having a pantry *sigh*....

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    #47

    In Boulder. I'm Sure It Must Be Aligned With Something

    Modern house with unusual architecture, featuring slanted windows and a mix of brick and metal design elements.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

    #49

    Straight Up Young Man Or You’re Going To The Time-Out Closet!

    Odd architecture: a door leading to an unusable curved corner space in a room.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

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    Fonzo
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The kind of studio apartment 1k a month gets you in Westminster

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    #52

    I Just Can’t…

    Unusual bathroom design with a sunken shower enclosed by glass, featuring contrasting tile and brown cabinets. Architecture shaming.

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    G A
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't see the prob really. You would only be in a bathroom alone or with a loved one.

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    #53

    I Hate This

    Unusual architecture: a building with a geometric design and a yellow car parked underneath.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

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    Boop the Snoot. Pound the Paw.
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh! I'm sorry you don't like this. I actually do with the cute spot for the car underneath. I wonder what the inside looks like.

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    #55

    This Is The Front Of The House

    A bizarrely structured house with mismatched windows and a garage, criticized for its architecture design flaws.

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    G A
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where's the driveway? Where's the path? I think this is the back, as those are patio doors. Garage could be for gardening equipment..

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    #57

    Look At The Stairs

    Unusual interior with awkwardly placed stairs, showcasing poor architecture design.

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    MushroomHead22
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    its for when your halfway up and forgot something, the person on the floor below can quickly hand it to you. cmon, its like you people aren't even trying to find solutions.

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    #58

    Yes. This Is One House. It’s On A Turn And Has An Angled Lot So This Was Their Solution

    Unusual house design with multiple gabled roofs viewed from the street, showcasing architecture shaming appeal.

    I’m Architecture Shaming Report

    #61

    Speechless

    A house with a complex wooden ramp and staircase structure, highlighting unusual architecture design choices.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm guessing they're doing the best they can with their situation. Trailer might have to be oriented that way for utility hookup and they need the steps to match the ground contour. And I'd bet money they have a family member who's confined to a wheelchair.

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    #62

    Why??? This Is A House In Belgium, Why Built A Glass Wall Around It?

    Contemporary glass facade awkwardly attached to a traditional brick building, highlighting an architecture shaming example.

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    Mat O'Dowd
    Community Member
    4 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a great way to trap heat in the winter, you can let your windows open when the sun warms the glass extension

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    #64

    Jesus Christ How Horrifying

    Strange apartment building interior with indoor balconies and fluorescent lights, highlighting unusual architecture design.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Add some cheery plants, flowers, paintings, etc. Great for a retirement home or nursing home so the residents can socialize without worrying about weather.

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    #66

    This House Has Driveway Stairs. I Repeat, Driveway Stairs

    House with mismatched facade and awkward driveway, showcasing architecture shaming.

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    Robin DJW
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually makes sense. I could go up the stairs, but a smooth slope would be hard to get up, harder to get down.

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    #68

    Serious Question: Why Does This House Have Iuds On It?

    Unusual architecture with misaligned windows on a white facade, exemplifying architecture shaming.

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    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some form of t-head anchor plates, at a guess. Usually see them with s-heads.

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    #69

    Talk About Layin' Down On The Job

    A warped, sloping brick building, illustrating architecture shaming for bizarre design on an urban street.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's quite a well-known art installation. Well it was, anyway, for a year or so. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Knees_of_my_Nose_to_the_Belly_of_my_Toes

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