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Architects have given us the most gorgeous and impressive creations throughout history, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, or more recent wonders like The Guggenheim and the Sydney Opera House. However, architects also create some real doozies sometimes.

In these cases, their creations usually end up in the "That's It, We're Architecture Shaming" group. From weird commercial buildings to uninviting homes, this group has everything. Bizarre-looking and serving no functional purpose? Shameworthy! So, if you're looking to have a laugh at some of the most ridiculous and aesthetically infuriating buildings, this is the right place!

Bored Panda got in touch with the group's administrator, social marketing specialist and media master Alicia Mariah Elfving. She kindly agreed to tell us more about the inception of the group and how buildings that get shamed the most can be great conversation starters. Read her thoughts below!

More info: That's It, We're Architecture Shaming | Alicia Elfving | The Moto Lady | Women's Moto Show

#1

Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

Here is a classic Michigan architectural gem - the Ypsilanti Water Tower.. AKA the Brick D*ck!

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The group's administrator, Alicia, tells us that the "That's It, We're Architecture" shaming is a second iteration of the iconic "That's It, I'm Architecture Shaming" group on Facebook. "I got a lot of joy out of looking at the hilarious snarky commentary and ugly buildings," she tells us.

"Then one day my comments were getting declined. They didn't say why, but I was guessing maybe the term 'ugly' was no longer allowed, so I re-wrote my comment. Long story short, the group became overrun by spammers, bots, and scam-type profiles. People were reposting spam posts that had reposted themselves... like a robot spam inception."

"So, I saw the writing on the wall and created a new group called 'That's It, We're Architecture Shaming' to give people who really loved the old group, like me, a place to resurrect the amusing content we once loved," Alicia recounts.

Alicia tells us that while the group's primary goal is to make people laugh, true architecture lovers come here as well. "The more time you spend in the group, the more you see how invested people are in these buildings. Architects, architecture lovers, photographers... people can be really passionate," she explains.

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    #2

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Windows, windows everywhere! Chata Otulina - Radków, Poland (rental property close to a national park)

    Sandra Segal Report

    #3

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    Yall I found another interior thing why do people put carpet in bathrooms or anywhere in houses. please burn it with fire, why does this bath tub have the bed posts on it so many whys…

    Jude Lacovara Report

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mold. Musty smell. Always damp and squishy to walk on. Gross. Gross. Gross.

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    So, what makes a building truly shame-worthy? Alicia thinks it depends on the person. "The more 'out there' a design is, the more it elicits an emotional response. So, usually, buildings that are unique and different get the most shame, just because they give everyone something to talk about. They're real conversation starters."

    Alicia also tells Bored Panda that groups like "That's It, We're Architecture Shaming" are a great way for people to be exposed to other opinions. Perhaps it can even change the way people think about architecture.

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    "[It gives] people an opportunity to explore people's opinions on topics outside their usual echo chamber. That means they have more opportunities to see things from other cultures and perspectives... and for that, I think, it's changed it for the better. Maybe not a lot, but a little better is good, right?"

    #4

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    The Selfridges Building in Birmingham, England.

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    PFD
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never seen it in the flesh (anodised aluminium, whatevs) but at least it's different from the usual auto-generated shopping centre architecture. And it's Birmingham, how much harm can it do? Just kidding!! *Looks nervously around for any Brummies*

    Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From pretty much any other angle, it's quite a striking building. This picture really doesn't do it justice. And don't worry, you've used too many big words for most Brummies to understand.

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    martin734
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks much better from any other angle. Much better than most shopping centres.

    David Morgan
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No offence meant, but does it remind anyone else of a Bang and Olufsen speaker with an unplugged power cord (the indent above the walkway looks like a port)?

    Jocelyn Webster
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am staring at thus trying to figure out what the heck it's made of.

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    #5

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I’ve made these houses into memes before because, well, look at them! So full of personality. So much to shame or love, depending on your personal tastes.

    Alicia Mariah Elfving Report

    We can all point and laugh at what we think are ugly buildings and houses. But what does make architecture bad? Aaron Betsky, columnist for Architect Magazine, claims that today, good architecture should be sustainable, functional, enhancing, and, of course, beautiful.

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    "Architecture should be neither weird nor boring, neither alien nor alienating, neither wasteful nor wanting in the qualities that make us human," he writes. "I think that we rather, first, have to ask the question in all cases: 'Do we really need more buildings?'"

    #7

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I wonder if his wife is a quilter.

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    rebecca hull
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Building on a budget? Buy remainders and patch them together like this. Person even managed to make it aesthetic. Good on them!

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    #8

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    In Leytonstone, east London, UK
    The couple who owns the garden ultimately decided to plant some trees and hide the window.

    Sandra Segal Report

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, you bought the property with this already there, of course you can't challenge it unless the previous owners had a case pending but unresolved to do so. If they did, and did not disclose this upon sale of property, then its them you need to sue.

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    According to Arch Daily, good architecture needs to have a purpose. It needs to serve its environment, spatial, and human factors. The magazine claims that we should build infrastructures because we need them, not just because we can. "A considerate project is one that is both supportive and nurturing—of people, of place, and of society."

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    #10

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    House I pass every time I visit my parents- it’s on a busy road, hence the Google Maps pic. Was built a couple years ago and they’ve since added some plants… as you can surely visualize, that helps none.

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    #11

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Pretty sure I’d trip on these steps every single time.

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    The Phantom Stranger
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If there's another doorway at a 90° angle on the left I can maybe understand it; otherwise this is a Mr. Bean sketch waiting to happen.

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    #12

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Need some heritage window frames replaced? No worries, call these guys!

    Matt Price Report

    To an outsider, the world of architecture may seem unproblematic and borderline boring. However, they do have their fair share of Kanyes—revered architects so controversial that their peers and critics hated some of their buildings with a passion. Or, more accurately, the buildings themselves became the Kanyes. Some of them we've learned to love, others... well, they're still standing, so maybe we will someday?

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    #14

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    At the Rasskazovka Metro station in Moscow, as captured by a passerby in August 2018

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    Abel
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And now I want to know what is behind that door!? The lady or the tiger!?

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    #15

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    A really wonky building somewhere in Russia.

    Sandra Segal Report

    Did you know that people originally hated the Eiffel Tower? Upon its completion in 1889, Parisians called it a "tragic giant lamppost," "iron monster," and "watchtower skeleton." Writer Guy de Maupassant claimed to like only its ground floor. "It's the only place in Paris where I can eat and not see that hideous tower," he said.

    #16

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    They should have made the stairs a tongue.

    Sandra Segal Report

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    arthbach
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a fabulous house, and decked out for Hallowe'en. Brilliant.

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    #17

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Part of the brick ceiling was chipped away to make room for the stair railing. It's so narrow that one must cling to the center of the spiral staircase to avoid brushing up against the brick as you go up or down. There's a single light at the top, and no light switch for it downstairs.

    Carolyn Knott Report

    #18

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Hi. I'm new here and just wanted to say hello. And let you know that in my hometown, Cologne, you get an architecture 🏆 for this.

    Linda Csapo Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ‚Guten Morgen Blutbuche‘. Don’t worry, it has windows on the other sides and is actually very bright inside. I actually really like the way the door is inviting you to go inside.

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    The Guggenheim, which we already mentioned as one of the triumphs of architecture together with the Eiffel Tower, also wasn't received so well in its first years. In fact, some people remarked that it looked like a giant toilet bowl. Back then, critics accused architect Frank Lloyd Wright of creating "architecture for architecture's sake," as the museum's curved walls were terrible for hanging artworks. Some other colorful descriptions include "inverted oatmeal dish" and "hot cross bun."

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    #19

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    This house puts the ark in architecture.

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    #20

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    Although I initially found the image labelled as a building in Makhachkala in Dagestan, I spotted Arabic writing on a store sign on a less-cropped version. I also found some info saying it was in Egypt. I also replaced the OP image with the second version I found.
    If you find more reliable info about it, please add it to the comments.

    Sandra Segal Report

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the downstairs neighbors suddenly got real bougie and did an “upgrade”?

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    #21

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    This house is in Belgium, built in the middle of idk what. Which came first, the house or the industrial apocalypse plaid walls?

    Alicia Mariah Elfving Report

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    Madam Puddyfoot
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My guess is the homeowner refused to sell so they built that monstrosity adjacent.

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    La Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona by Antonio Gaudí is still one of the most controversial buildings to date. Although it's not finished yet (the newest finish date is 2026), almost five million tourists every year visit the church and bring in €125 million into its budget. Half of it they use for finishing the project, and where the other half goes—no one knows.

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    #22

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Canadian bunker house. Ugggh.

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    Abel
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A bunker can be useful to protect yourself from the upcoming canadian civil war!

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    #23

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    This one I feel like they're playing Jenga with building material. 34th and 8th in Manhattan.

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    Trophy Husband
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, it looks like the upper half is under construction still, so there's no way for us to know what's going to look like yet.

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    #24

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    The street view of the bulging Gehry building. It never gets better.

    Dava B. Robins Report

    The National Library in Kosovo is often called the ugliest building in the world. With its metal lattice exterior and 99 varying sizes of white domes, it was supposed to blend Islamic and Byzantine styles. At least that's what its author Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjaković was going for.

    #25

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I still can’t figure out what this door is for!! Anyone have any clue what it’s for?

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    #26

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I'm undecided if this one is shame worthy.
    Deffinitely a bizzare structure.

    The Unikato building in Katowice, Poland

    Sandra Segal Report

    #27

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I don’t hate this but I’m guessing most of you will.

    Jess Cruz Almero Report

    One of the most controversial architects of our time is perhaps Frank Gehry. The Canadian-American often gets accused of treating architecture as sculpture. In his work, strange shapes and curves trump the practicality and efficiency of space. Herbert Muschamp, an architecture critic for The New York Times, called Gehry's Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle "like something that crawled out of the sea, rolled over and [passed away]."

    #28

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    It looks like someone gave a bunch of pinterest references to a random "contractor" (not an architect or engineer) and a very rough sketch or a stack of Lego blocks stuck together

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    arthbach
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oooh, I like this! I like it a great deal. The bottom right area doesn't look to be complete yet, but when finished it will be a fabulous house for a tropical area.

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    #29

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    I wanted to share and shame a photo that I took of a block of flats in Paris adorned with multiples of Michelangelo’s Dying Slave.

    Chris Patterson Report

    #30

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Spiked, Steve Messam, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon, UK, 2021.

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    PFD
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love it. It was part of a set of temporary installations around the estate called "These Passing Things". They were all connected in different ways to the estate's follies. Follies are daft and pointless fantasies in the first place, and this too was playful and fun and unserious. And only there for a few months, so not a major disruption to anyone who didn't like it.

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    What do you think about the architectural feats in this list, Pandas? Do you think you'd warm up to some of them in the future? Or maybe you don't even think some of them deserve shaming? Let us know in the comments! And, if you want to see more buildings you can shame, head over hereherehere, and here.

    #31

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Well..that’s a good use for those spare parts in the back yard.

    Alicia Mariah Elfving Report

    #32

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Rounded roof or pointy roof? Hmm… both!

    Jess Cruz Almero Report

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    #33

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Looks like it was built by the second little pig. One sneeze away from being rubble.

    Amanda Wilson Report

    #34

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    I just saw this one on Reddit and thought it would be a nice snarky post to contribute here. There’s enough clues to determine what the 2nd floor garage door might be used for, but don’t let that stop the wild speculation. This is no place for logic!

    Kevin Polley Report

    #35

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Alright modern Architecture has gone far, i bet the Zillow listing is : cliffhanger of a View, ever wanted to feel like you’re going over a cliff now you can with this house, My nephew and Niece draw better houses than this. Shame on this building shame.

    Jude Lacovara Report

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    mandy the capibara
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it is a very cool concept. The counterweight however, while probably very much necessary, throws it off for me. Such a great location, and you can't see half the view because of the massive black wall?

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    #36

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    Doing a little Looking Up around Miami and saw these built in roof palm trees

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    #37

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    Alexander Lombard Tower, Melbourne (Travancore)

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    #40

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    All this for $220K.

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Melbourne, Australia this would be an absolute giveaway at that price.

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    #41

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Hi all! I just wanted to introduce myself and share a photo I took

    Xeth Feinberg Report

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    Novel Idesa
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry but I'll take old row houses over the grey, lifeless new build townhouses that are taking over my city. At least they have color and variation. They're much more interesting to look at that these new drab monochrome boxes.

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    #42

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    Every time I drive by this church I can't help but think it's.... frowning.

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    Mary Sutherland
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To me, the part on the left looks like a surprised old man with a white mustache .

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    #43

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    This is in a medium/high density residential area.

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    #44

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I was at a cafe this morning and I couldn't get over how erratic the windows are on these buildings.

    Imagine the windows from the inside

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    #45

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Don’t fall off that deck.

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    Madam Puddyfoot
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm missing something here. What's wrong with the deck? IDK enough about building- it looks new and has three big posts supporting it...?

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    #46

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    8th in the top 10 ugliest buildings in the world

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    #47

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    I posted this in the last group, but it bears repeating. Still the worst thing I've ever seen.

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    #48

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    Either the garage door design or the sprinklers weren't well thought out.

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    #49

    Funny-Architecture-Shaming-Pics

    That moment you build a really expensive house, and you don't even have heated floors for these God forsaken tile, we're in Colorado soooo gonna be cold.

    Evan Garrett Report

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