ADVERTISEMENT

Beauty is subjective, beauty is in the eye of the beholder—most of us were taught to never judge a book by its cover. Or, more simply put, to not be superficial. However, scientists argue that aesthetic appreciation of beauty is hard-wired into our brains—we can't escape it. Subconsciously or consciously, we all like to look at beautiful creatures, be it an animal, or a building.

Therefore, some people that are more leaning towards traditional architecture are worried that the notion of beauty in buildings is fading away. As cities all over the world are experiencing globalization, the newly designed buildings can sometimes look awfully alike, even if they were built thousands of miles apart. We're all familiar with the glass boxes in the prestigious areas of cities, that, according to some, are lacking that certain kind of charm, or je ne sais quoi, that makes them unique in their own way. But before we get all judgy, we want to let you decide what you think of these building renovations. Bored Panda has made you a list of before and after pictures of some buildings around the world that were renovated in a way that didn't sit right with some people. Do they look good to you? Scroll down below to see them all and tell us your opinion!

RELATED:
    #6

    Szawel Sauliazauras Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Samantha Lomb
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also Russia, but this cladding just clips on so it could be removed and the oдвук building is still under there

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #7

    Western_Trad Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Tabernus
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Birmingham central library .... There's a reason the style is called 'brutalist'

    Joonscrab
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm crying at how beautiful the Gothic one looks 😭😭 brutalism isn't one of my favourites for sure

    Load More Replies...
    Emyo Jennifer Nakayama
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate the trend towards everything as "modern". The old styles were often exquisite examples of art and craftsmanship.

    Khadeja
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How??? This architect has done a heinous crime against humanity.

    Octavia Hansen
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    City council out to lunch when this was approved by the cleaning staff?

    Tabernus
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Partly because a lot of Birmingham was bombed in WW2 and they came up with a new plan for the city and knocked a load of the rest down

    Load More Replies...
    sarah llop
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who would do this? This tragedy is making me physically ill.

    Rainclouds Radio
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know architects who are obsessed with Brutalism. It's like a dark humour thing or something but they use words like "irony" to describe their love for it... *eye roll*

    Joan OConnor
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like those East Communist Bloc styles that were popular in the late 60s.

    Vickie Johnston
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh wow... lived in Brum for 30 years, didn’t realise such a beautiful building stood there before! 😭

    H Edwards
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is Birmingham, in the UK. This was done in the 1970s, absolutely criminal.

    Load More Replies...
    Jeffrey Tustin
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thankfully we do not have to endure this anymore. The Library has been demolished and the whole area re-developed

    Hugh Walter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair - I think the Luftwaffe might have had a hand in later planning decisions on this one?

    Valerie Page
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But to be realistic, These ornate old buildings were worn out and impossible to heat properly. Our councils can't afford to keep them up without increasing local taxes to a level which isn't acceptable to the paying population who prefer better schools, infrastructure and services. As my old Granny used to say "He who pays the piper calls the tune" And we elect our councils

    mermaidgirl960
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see they tried to keep the centerpiece but I'm mad that they completely changed all of the buildings around it. Victorian buildings are so beautiful yet hard to renovate :(

    OTTER
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this what they mean about keeping a ‘token’ from the scene of a crime?

    Loraine MacGinness
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely awful. Leave all this abominable building to the Americans. Old Character to the UK. They are destroying London too trying to be clever ??

    Paloma Vita
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is not a renovation but complete destruction... brutal indeed!

    Steve Cruz
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "Then" photo appears to have been taken in the 1800s. Who knows what happened to the original buildings in the course of two world wars and global financial collapse. The "new" building was erected in the 1950s.

    Ole Peder Amrud Hagen
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not a renovation. This brutalist building is pretty nice, but has unfortunately been town down itself.

    Dalene Weiss
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it looks as if the entire historic section was rebuilt. So wrong.

    Jacki Hamer
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The pretty buildings are still there - the second pic is taken from the opposite side and the ugly library is long gone!

    Neva Nevičica
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why didn't they just build a similar/same one in the same place, if it was ruined in bombings. Dresden was rebuilt in the same style, so it is possible. The goth building would make a great library, like from Harry Potter :)

    Helenium
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All that’s been demolished. You should it now if you think that’s bad.

    Wyndmere
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No - they Didn’t. You’re gonna loose tourist if you keep this up!!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    skyscrapercity Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Becklass
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s like the lovely old building had been eaten by an ugly one.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #19

    L'évolution du patrimoine bâti Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    H Edwards
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't mind this one, in fact I think it's an improvement. The original building isn't anything special.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu