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"Better to be ugly than to be boring" is written in the bio of the Instagram account 'Ugly Belgian Houses,' and the bold phrase is echoed in the pictures that it uploads.
Whether we're looking at a quirky color palette or strange shapes standing out in the landscape, the buildings featured on the account certainly challenge conventional architectural aesthetics.
The creator of the fun social media project, Hannes Coudenys, has been running it since 2012, but apparently, there's still no shortage of content.
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Shiteau
Marin Arri 1 year ago
Your upvote for Shiteau will end up having more upvotes than the Shiteau.
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Ronstantin 1 year ago
Can't see what's wrong here. OK, the driveway needs some attention. But apart from that, I like it. Housie was visited by his little tower friend and now they live together.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
Quirky, but apart from the driveways, hardly ugly. I think there are a lot of snobs around here.
Kobe (she) 1 year ago
Agree, And it looks like they are busy getting the driveway done. And that front yard has potential. Park the van elsewhere and make that a garden... When that is completed and have some more green and flowers - it will cook amazing.
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Deborah B 1 year ago
When your heart says "castle," but your budget says "three bedroom semi-detatched."
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
"Parquet!" (There used to be a margarine commercial for Parkay. The flavor said "butter" but the label said, "Parkay.")
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
When you want a castle but can only afford a single drum tower.
PolymathNecromancer 1 year ago
Actually, now that you mention it, if that tower has an observation deck, it's 1000% worth it
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#2
Bombastic Side Eye
Troy Parr 1 year ago
Again, I've seen far worse than this. Plenty of people would be happy to live there.
Remi (He/Him) 1 year ago
Yeah. That's actually the most house looking thing even on this list so far. Maybe it's giving the side eye to all the rest of the things here
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'Ugly Belgian Houses' has been growing non-stop and at the moment of this publication, 'Ugly Belgian Houses' has 174K followers on Instagram.
For our earlier publication on the account, Hannes told Bored Panda that there, in fact, is a problem with becoming too big, too fast, which resulted in some drama on his social media.
People have been clashing there because they have different opinions about experimental architecture and classical Belgian farm-style buildings. "I never wanted to shame experimental [buildings]," Hannes said.
#3
What Kind Of Shape Do You Like: Circle, Rectangle, Triangle, Trapezium, .. Yes!
PolymathNecromancer 1 year ago
Poor house looks like it's struggling with behavioral health issues :-/
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BigCityLady 1 year ago
Was there a manufacturers blow out sale of “slightly irregular” for home builders?
Janet Bergstrom 1 year ago
Or a very small, boxy horse with an incredibly long snout?
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Jeff White 1 year ago
This is rough. One wonders if everything for the house was bought at a Last Call Closeout Sale?
#4
Slugly Belgian Houses
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
I paint landscapes (fairly well). One of my instruction books walks the student through painting a coyote amongst boulders. My boulders look good. My coyote is as special as this house is.
2WheelTravlr 1 year ago
I've seen upside-down houses before, but this upside-down, sideways, and acute angled monstrosity is...unique?
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
I think I see where they were going with this... Then they failed.
#5
One Of Moses’ Less Famous Miracles
Will Cable 1 year ago
Thank goodness it was a tree, imagine telling people they can come straight in through your bush!
Fenchurch 1 year ago
Wondering that too. The number of years they’ve been cutting them weird instead of just removing them…
Load More Replies...However, actively repeating the phrase and even putting it in his account's bio isn't stopping everyone from getting angry.
Coudenys said that some people have been trying to get in touch with him.
In another interview we had with him (yes, we love 'Ugly Belgian Houses' and we don't see ourselves stopping writing about it), the creator of the project also pointed out that his feed represents only a portion of the country's architectural scene.
He highlighted that there are also plenty of good examples. "I like the work of Gijs van Vaerenbergh, Vens-Vanbelle, De Vylder Vinck Taillieu, Vincent van Duysen," Coudenys explained.
#6
Some People Have Gingerbread Houses, I Have A Pizza Hut
Ronstantin 1 year ago (edited)
And it became reality! I'm super impressed! 😎
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The Original Bruno 1 year ago
So the snow can still collapse the roof, rain can still soak through, but you still have 3' of shade around all sides of the house? Stupid always looks ugly.
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
Pizza hut, pizza hut. Kentucky fried Chicken and a pizza hut!
#7
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
Always wondered what happened to Cecil B DeMille's Ten Commandment movie props.
Happy Jack 1 year ago
They actually bulldozed those props and left it all buried where it was.
Load More Replies... Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
This looks grave. Seriously, it's giving off mausoleum vibes. Those are not good vibes.
Spocks's Mom 1 year ago
I like it too. It gives you that evil villain coziness feeling.
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#8
When You Send The Architect Back To The Drawing Board, But He Sends The Drawing Board Back
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
I'll go to the concession stand. What do you want?
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LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
Looking at this makes me sad, so how much worse would I feel living in this thing? 😨
#9
Total Eclipse Of The House
jon gilbertson 1 year ago
Every now and then I fall apart. Love that song!
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LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
That building is screaming for some kind graffiti artist to come along and spice things up.
Shiny Pants 1 year ago
If the sun hits that wall just right the occupants of the house will never have to pay for heating!
Kobe (she) 1 year ago
Well, probably an investment company found a spot to build their ugly building on. Most likely tried to get the house owner to move - which they did not want. So they build their ugly building next to the already existing house.
Load More Replies... Glen Ellyn 1 year ago
How depressing to have that monstrosity right there. Life was good, and then...
According to Coudenys, the variety is so colorful "because [local] regulations are quite liberal" and the citizens "love to design [their own] quirky dreamhouse."
#10
In Belgium We Don’t Build Our Dreams. We Build Our Nightmares
2WheelTravlr 1 year ago
I'd love to see this during a hard rain, I'll bet those gutter guns can shoot water an impressive distance.
BigCityLady 1 year ago (edited)
I now have a deep respect and empathy for all who wish to one day purchase a home of their dreams in Belgium as they look more like nightmares instead…….🥺
#11
When You Are A Home Alone And Scared
BigCityLady 1 year ago
Your very own home that can express fear or surprise depending on your mood or the occupants.
#12
That’s Me In The Corner, Choosing My Transmission
zububonsai 1 year ago (edited)
Ha, today is Michael Stipe's birthday! 🎁❤️🔥👏🏻( singer of R.E.M.) Their song "Losing my religion" is made fun of here in the headline, just in case someone is wondering...
Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago
Do they seriously expect someone to go up onto that roof to fix problems?
#13
You Had One Job
1 1 year ago
I lived in a house that had been built by one woman and her twin sister had built the house next door. The houses weren't identical because the land wasn't flat, but there were lots of quirky little details shared by both houses.
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DaftAndFlemish 1 year ago
Zoning and plot regulations state of you can build a fully detached, semi detached or fully attached building. These are 2 plots of land and because of the size and exciting buildings, it probably says that they need to be semi detached. My guess is that the plots where bought by a building company and they just build their somewhat default semi detached house for a quick buck.. so Yeah it looks a bit odd. But regulations....
Load More Replies... Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago
It's like those guys who when they get divorced literally split the house in half. In this case, the work has already been done
Lucky2BAlive 1 year ago
When your prefab arrives without direction or the directions get mixed up with Lego directions. Even worse “thank you for calling IKEA help line …”
However, it's not like Coudenys is the first one who started questioning his country's construction tastes and habits. It's been going on for decades.
In the 1961 book 'The New Architecture of Europe,' American architect, author, educator, photographer, and prolific "builder" G.E. Kidder Smith wrote: "Of all European countries, Belgium is least to be excused for not contributing more to contemporary architecture."
#14
I Think They Blocked Me
zububonsai 1 year ago
This comment made me snort and cackle. Thank you, Lotekguy!
Load More Replies... Shiny Pants 1 year ago
I've seen a home similar to this, all the exterior walls were solid with a few exceptions and everything inside was open courtyard, glass walls, windows. Actually pretty cool but yeah not my cup of tea.
#15
When Your House Is Low On Storage Space You Can Always Delete Windows
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
Deleting Windows frees up a lot of RAM, I'm sure. The only problem is if the RAM wants a room with a view.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
I don't know why, but where I'm from, it's VERY common to have a wall with no windows. It's probably far rarer to have windows on all four walls.
LauraDragonWench 1 year ago (edited)
Does Belgium still have a Window Tax? I thought those things were repealed.
Ozymandias73 1 year ago
The inspiration for "Secret Window". It's there, you just have to search for it.
Lady Vader 1 year ago
Yeah, I was also thinking it doesn't look quite right.
Load More Replies... #16
When Your Contractor Watches A How To Video Halfway Through
Bogdan Chelariu 1 year ago
You mean that chair?! I guess you've never seen one?! :))
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ColdSteelRonin 1 year ago
I worked for a high end window and door company and met several architects that designed their own homes as a showcase for their skills. This falls into the less hideous category of houses I've seen, some were true abominations.
My O My 1 year ago
Husband and wife couldn't decide on a style so each got their own house half
LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
Makes it easier to cut in half when the divorce comes.
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Glen Ellyn 1 year ago
It looks like it used to be all brick, and for whatever reason, they decided to slap some fake rock on half of it. And why the X on the garage door? Does it mean you can't use it? Or maybe that you shouldn't use it?
#17
The House Has Left The Building
DaftAndFlemish 1 year ago
The outline and the brick wall would suggest that there was a smaller building there first, that has been demolished. Probably waiting for permits or something to start building again. Not worth the effort to redo the outer wall facade beforehand.
Kobe (she) 1 year ago
I don't hate the idea. Apart from the ugy grey concrete... When they would make that white, like the front, or some fun color, it would already look way different. And... it gives a lot of light inside.
LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
"What kind of exterior would you like? Concrete, metal, brick, shingles?" "Yes."
"Having a thoroughly literate and capable population and an extremely high living standard, the mediocrity of its architecture can be explained only by the indifference of its officials, the inadequacy of its educational system, and a flabby materialism," Kidder Smith said.
So hopefully people will cut 'Ugly Belgian Houses' some slack. After all, the account is approaching the topic from a positive perspective.
#18
You Can Say What You Want, But The Facade Is A Huge Plus
Kobe (she) 1 year ago
Fire department or police station or something like ?
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LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
"We could only afford 2 gallons of exterior paint, but I think we made it work."
#19
So Is This Where Blackboxrevelation Lives?
Ari Maranichi 1 year ago
You reminded me of how my brother and I used to make "bunny traps". We used a snow brick maker and a bowl of baby carrots. It never worked :(
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Ludwig Michiel 1 year ago
About the caption: Black Box Revelation is a Belgian garage rock band 🙂
Glen Ellyn 1 year ago
I don't think you can put furniture in that upper room. It would all slide to the back. 🤭
#20
The Ugly Belgian Houses Virus Is Spreading
GoldfishCrackers 1 year ago
Many times I feel brick should be left unpainted, however this right here seems like a perfect candidate for a fresh coat of paint.
Zaphod 1 year ago
Painting brick is as bad as painting nice wooden furniture.
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Zephyr343 1 year ago
That's not paint. Those are mortar (masonry between brick) joints. Someone just went straight up white and didn't color it at all.
Load More Replies... Bored something 1 year ago
This one looks like they got part way through power washing the bricks.
Craig Boddys 1 year ago
Its partway through being cleaned by a pressure washer. The "dirty" bits look better than the "clean" bits though.
#21
In Belgium We Use The Metricsytem And Also Sometimes The Tetricsystem
Silvermidnight 1 year ago
Welp, not as bad as the US . . . blue whales, football fields, you name it
#22
This Doesn’t Add Up
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
OMG! If you start you have the German Empire, then the interwar period, and finally the bottom is Soviet East Berlin!
Remi (He/Him) 1 year ago
but what the heck is that half built blue thing to the left? EU, but deppressed?
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Regina Holt 1 year ago
Actually, I think it does add UP. Each layer was done by a different contractor, just putting their own style on top of the other
I heart Boo-BI-es 1 year ago
That's a pretty good fall from the door. Unless that's just a large door shaped window in the middle but either way I feel as though some type of platform at the very least would add to the home and hopefully not the insurance policy.
#23
When You Accidentally Break A Formula In Excel
LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
Ouch! My brain - the pain- Must. Look. Away. *sounds of exploding cranium* Ouch.
Suck it Trebek 1 year ago
That one tile near that post doesn't fill me with the feeling of safety.
BigCityLady 1 year ago
A prime example to ensure that your house will not survive decades as the possibility is moot at this point.
#24
Alles Kan. Koffie Kan. Water Kan. Maar Balkon Niet
still tired 1 year ago
Direct translation: Everything is possible. Coffee can. Water can. But not balcony.
Jay Son 1 year ago (edited)
Fur those not getting it, It's a play on words. Balkon means balcony but it also consists of two words, bal & kon, meaning ball & could. Also, "alles" can also be translated as "all". So in essence it says "All can. Coffee can. Water can. But ball could not."
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BigCityLady 1 year ago
Don’t mind me. I will just squeeze in here a little bit more. You don’t need it right??
#25
They Call It House Arrest
Puppy Dancing! 1 year ago
Many countries have barrier walls or fences around houses because everything not hidden nailed down grows legs.
Load More Replies... LauraDragonWench 1 year ago
Business at the bottom, party on the top - it's the mullet of architecture.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
Odd, but I'll trade mine for it any day. And mine is nice, just smallish.
Glen Ellyn 1 year ago
No worries. You can take down the fence. Who would want to play in that garden anyway?
BigCityLady 1 year ago
Are you certain it wasn’t detest instead of arrest?? They both sound very similar.
#26
(Ver)bauhaus
Jay Son 1 year ago
For those wondering about the captions "ver", in this it would be translated as "re" as in "rebuild house"
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
The first truly ugly one that wasn't simply a matter of stupid angles.
BigCityLady 1 year ago
I don’t believe that Mr. Gropius had this house in mind when he developed his teachings…….
#27
Never Fool Around With Superglue
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
It can stick two completely different buildings together, with just one drop!
Skipper Laine 1 year ago
"TO SHOW YOU THE POWER OF FLEX GLUE, I CUT THIS HOUSE IN HALF!"
Load More Replies... The Original Bruno 1 year ago
A duplex on a corner, so that the white's front door is on the other street? The red side is in bad need of remodeling; of they can match the style of the white side eventually, it'll look great.
BigCityLady 1 year ago
Ah, the ending result of a couple refusing to compromise on the exterior facade.
#28
Think Outside The Parallelogram
#29
Now With 10% Extra Roof!
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
Will you stop touching me? Mom! He's on my side again!
BigCityLady 1 year ago
I know we have to replace the roof but it’s going to be hell to get the neighbor to chip in his portion!
#30
Ready For Take-Off
BigCityLady 1 year ago
I believe your home should always have one focal point but these folks decided on three instead!
Remi (He/Him) 1 year ago
On the positive, if you live here and need to be cheered up, just go outside. It's not too the worst and it's making me chuckle for some reason
#31
If Italians Were [mad] Because We Broke Pasta In Two, They Gonna Be Real Angry At This Pizza
![If Italians Were [mad] Because We Broke Pasta In Two, They Gonna Be Real Angry At This Pizza](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CtXIKVSoeBn-png__700.jpg "If Italians Were [mad] Because We Broke Pasta In Two, They Gonna Be Real Angry At This Pizza")
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
R2D2! That's who it reminds me of!
Load More Replies... BigCityLady 1 year ago
We could add more square footage in the middle of the house and no one will be the wiser!!
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
It looks like a miniature version of a megachurch. It's just missing the cross on top.
#32
When Your House Runs Out Of Battery
Kobe (she) 1 year ago
That looks like a barn. Like; open in the backside to house tractors/machinery and so. It could have used some tiling or paint in the front to make it look less depressing. But, my guess - it is not a house.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
"That looks like a barn." You sound like my Mom. Well, like she did in the 1970s.
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BigCityLady 1 year ago
I believe we no longer have the funds to finish our house so please do what you can without making it too obvious.
#33
When You Try To Take A Picture Of An Introvert
#34
In Pole Position
BigCityLady 1 year ago (edited)
When you aren’t ashamed of telling the community that you are a hoarder.
#35
BigCityLady 1 year ago
This house screams happy and I would venture to guess that the other houses on the street envy this house. It’s quite obvious by its neighbor on the right.
Remi (He/Him) 1 year ago
If that was the neighborhood kindergarten, then the design would be great actually
#36
When Your Baby Is Ugly, Do You Know It?
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
The mini-house is awesome. The big one is rather ug. What's with the steel shutters?
#37
What Did The Triangle Say To The Circle?
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
There are several modern churches in my area with this sort of look.
Glen Ellyn 1 year ago
When the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Or vice versa.
My “in my head” Voice 1 year ago
What is with these super-long roofs? Doesn't anyone ever want to look outside?
#38
Must Be A Streepclub
#39
Ykes
BigCityLady 1 year ago
I told you I HAD to have a fireplace!! I don’t care WHERE you put it, just put it in!!!
michael Chock 1 year ago
We added a bunch of random concrete bits that are going to fall off at random times, just to add some suspense to home ownership.
Regina Holt 1 year ago
I want to make a comment, but the best I could come up with is the umbrella
#40
You’re Such A F*cking House, I Love It
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
It looks like a leftover piece of another building that was grafted on.
Suck it Trebek 1 year ago
If it weren't for that stupid window ir they installed it correctly this would actually be nice.
SnackbarKaat 1 year ago
Lol they split thr building in two after the divorce and one of them renovated the place and the other one didnt
BigCityLady 1 year ago
I guess the divorce settlement took splitting the house in two was taken literally.
#41
When You’ve Used Permanent Marker On The Whiteboard
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
The building is winking. It's not a good look for this house.
Sheila who? 1 year ago
Go home, building, you're drunk. Oh you are home? Nevermind Go take a nap then.
#42
If Your Roof Is Missing, It’s Hiding Here Behind Another Roof
#43
Damn! Part Of The House Came Down
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
Who needs a front porch or a facade? All you need is a giant hole to park your land yacht in.
I_imagine_even_worse_w***s 1 year ago
So many of these houses have a horrified expression!!! They know how bad they are! 🫨
#44
Yesterday You Told Me 'Bout The Blue Blue Sky. But All That I Can See Is Just A Yellow Lemon-Tree
Regina Holt 1 year ago
I think the no parking sign is because they don't want anything to block the view of this "beautiful" house
#45
Let There Be Night!
BigCityLady 1 year ago
If there is a will there will be a way, and this house has captured that sentiment!!!!
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Diolla 1 year ago
They do but I don't think they have anything to do with aestetics.
Load More Replies... Will Cable 1 year ago
Near my location there is ongoing housing development in several areas, the areas are looking just as if someone went 'copy, paste' mad. Nothing individual, nothing that makes you easily identify which area you are in, even the people have the same types of cars on their driveway all metallic grey/gray Audi and BMW. So depressing.
Sergio Bicerra 1 year ago
Many of them look like after you built that super spaceship and find you have some spare legos
Shaunn Munn 1 year ago
So much blank space facing the street - I hope there were windows on the other sides. What's the story about the half-houses? Are they duplexes?
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
in Belgium some plots of lands are destined for two houses. So if you are the first one to build you have to build something that looks like a halfhouse, so the next person can attach theirs to it. Its something like this, dont know exact details.
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Diolla 1 year ago
They do but I don't think they have anything to do with aestetics.
Load More Replies... Will Cable 1 year ago
Near my location there is ongoing housing development in several areas, the areas are looking just as if someone went 'copy, paste' mad. Nothing individual, nothing that makes you easily identify which area you are in, even the people have the same types of cars on their driveway all metallic grey/gray Audi and BMW. So depressing.
Sergio Bicerra 1 year ago
Many of them look like after you built that super spaceship and find you have some spare legos
Shaunn Munn 1 year ago
So much blank space facing the street - I hope there were windows on the other sides. What's the story about the half-houses? Are they duplexes?
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
in Belgium some plots of lands are destined for two houses. So if you are the first one to build you have to build something that looks like a halfhouse, so the next person can attach theirs to it. Its something like this, dont know exact details.
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