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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

#2

Bombastic Side Eye

Bombastic Side Eye

uglybelgianhouses Report

'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!

What Kind Of Shape Do You Like: Circle, Rectangle, Triangle, Trapezium, .. Yes!

uglybelgianhouses Report

#4

Slugly Belgian Houses

Slugly Belgian Houses

uglybelgianhouses Report

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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

Some People Have Gingerbread Houses, I Have A Pizza Hut

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#7

uglybelgianhouses Report

#8

When You Send The Architect Back To The Drawing Board, But He Sends The Drawing Board Back

When You Send The Architect Back To The Drawing Board, But He Sends The Drawing Board Back

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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

In Belgium We Don’t Build Our Dreams. We Build Our Nightmares

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#11

When You Are A Home Alone And Scared

When You Are A Home Alone And Scared

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sbj
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The house has witnesses some s**t happening through the neighbours windows

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#12

That’s Me In The Corner, Choosing My Transmission

That’s me in the corner, choosing my transmission

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

I Think They Blocked Me

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#15

When Your House Is Low On Storage Space You Can Always Delete Windows

When Your House Is Low On Storage Space You Can Always Delete Windows

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Deleting Windows frees up a lot of RAM, I'm sure. The only problem is if the RAM wants a room with a view.

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#16

When Your Contractor Watches A How To Video Halfway Through

When Your Contractor Watches A How To Video Halfway Through

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#17

The House Has Left The Building

The House Has Left The Building

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BigCityLady
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The house seems to be still downloading as it is still at 87%.

DaftAndFlemish
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

Tiddlez
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You need to download the Counterstrike source files to see the textures

LauraDragonWench
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"What kind of exterior would you like? Concrete, metal, brick, shingles?" "Yes."

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"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.

#19

So Is This Where Blackboxrevelation Lives?

So Is This Where Blackboxrevelation Lives?

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#20

The Ugly Belgian Houses Virus Is Spreading

The Ugly Belgian Houses Virus Is Spreading

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GoldfishCrackers
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many times I feel brick should be left unpainted, however this right here seems like a perfect candidate for a fresh coat of paint.

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#21

In Belgium We Use The Metricsytem And Also Sometimes The Tetricsystem

In Belgium We Use The Metricsytem And Also Sometimes The Tetricsystem

uglybelgianhouses Report

#23

When You Accidentally Break A Formula In Excel

When you accidentally break a formula in Excel

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#24

Alles Kan. Koffie Kan. Water Kan. Maar Balkon Niet

Alles Kan. Koffie Kan. Water Kan. Maar Balkon Niet

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still tired
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Direct translation: Everything is possible. Coffee can. Water can. But not balcony.

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#26

(Ver)bauhaus

(Ver)bauhaus

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Jay Son
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those wondering about the captions "ver", in this it would be translated as "re" as in "rebuild house"

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#27

Never Fool Around With Superglue

Never Fool Around With Superglue

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#28

Think Outside The Parallelogram

Think Outside The Parallelogram

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#29

Now With 10% Extra Roof!

Now With 10% Extra Roof!

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Lotekguy
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When replacing their roof, they discovered the leaks were coming from the neighbors home.

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#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

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#32

When Your House Runs Out Of Battery

When Your House Runs Out Of Battery

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Kobe (she)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#33

When You Try To Take A Picture Of An Introvert

When You Try To Take A Picture Of An Introvert

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#34

In Pole Position

In Pole Position

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sbj
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happy to see the garage is full of unwanted stuff and rubbish it'll make burning it down a lot easier

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#37

What Did The Triangle Say To The Circle?

What Did The Triangle Say To The Circle?

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#38

Must Be A Streepclub

Must Be A Streepclub

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User# 6
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's camouflage to make it difficult to estimate the range, speed, and heading for enemy submarines.

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#39

Ykes

Ykes

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Deborah B
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like a client had a pinterest of 20 different architectural features on different buildings, and demanded they all be included in the design.

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#40

You’re Such A F*cking House, I Love It

You’re Such A F*cking House, I Love It

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#41

When You’ve Used Permanent Marker On The Whiteboard

When You’ve Used Permanent Marker On The Whiteboard

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#42

If Your Roof Is Missing, It’s Hiding Here Behind Another Roof

If Your Roof Is Missing, It’s Hiding Here Behind Another Roof

uglybelgianhouses Report

#43

Damn! Part Of The House Came Down

Damn! Part Of The House Came Down

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who needs a front porch or a facade? All you need is a giant hole to park your land yacht in.

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#44

Yesterday You Told Me 'Bout The Blue Blue Sky. But All That I Can See Is Just A Yellow Lemon-Tree

Yesterday You Told Me 'Bout The Blue Blue Sky. But All That I Can See Is Just A Yellow Lemon-Tree

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Regina Holt
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the no parking sign is because they don't want anything to block the view of this "beautiful" house

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