ADVERTISEMENT

Let’s talk architecture and let's talk Belgium. What do these two things have in common? Well, you probably need no introduction of Belgium being a land of architectural wonder, with several shifts in design throughout its history creating a rich cross-section of European heritage and design. From Art Nouveau to modernism, the country is known for nailing its architecture.

Except we’re talking the other side of the coin—”Ugly Belgian Houses”—an enigmatic, humorous and eccentric project run by Hannes Coudenys. The project is dedicated entirely to the uglier the better buildings, dwellings, and all kinds of roofs over one’s head.

With 139k Instagram followers, “Ugly Belgian Houses” follows the motto which reads “Better to be ugly than to be boring,” and you can totally see why. But still, don’t try this at home, everyone!

Psst! After you’re done, be sure to check out our previous posts with Belgian architectural mishaps and faux pas here and here.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | UglyBelgianHouses.tumblr.com

You May Also Like:
#2

Tried To Call The Architect For An Explanation But He Was Bus-Y

Tried To Call The Architect For An Explanation But He Was Bus-Y

uglybelgianhouses Report

#3

Residence Evil

Residence Evil

uglybelgianhouses Report

To find out more about “Ugly Belgian Houses” and how it evolved since we last featured the project a year ago, Bored Panda talked to its creator Hannes Coudenys. Hannes is a media personality with many projects, from owning Hurae creative digital studio to running “Ugly Belgian Houses” and “Like My Ride,” to vlogging on YouTube.

Hannes told us that “Ugly Belgian Houses” has amazingly evolved throughout the year, amassing 139k followers. “I have been visiting a lot of the houses and had some really nice conversations.”

“Meanwhile I am working on a second edition of the book, so I have to call all the owners again,” Hannes said and added “I’ve just had a call with two people who hate me and don’t want their house in my book. I can understand that,” he smiled.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

The Ugly Belgian House Is Slowly Wrapping Around Its Prey

The Ugly Belgian House Is Slowly Wrapping Around Its Prey

uglybelgianhouses Report

#6

They Recently Discovered The Great Garage Of Giza

They Recently Discovered The Great Garage Of Giza

uglybelgianhouses Report

When asked why “Ugly Belgian Houses” has gained almost a cult following online, Hannes believes it comes down to “The fact that we all have a certain opinion on what makes a house beautiful. Or ugly. And the fact that these opinions are only opinions.”

The author added that it seems like a lot of Belgians agree that “we have a lot of ugly Belgian houses.”

When asked about the slogan “Better to be ugly than to be boring,” which greets users on the project's Instagram page, Hannes said that “In Belgium, you have a lot of suburbs and housing projects that all look the same and are in fact very boring.” He added: “Something you see in Holland as well. I prefer ugly than these boring creatures.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Hannes would describe a typical ugly Belgian house as something with “its own quirky uniqueness; A special roof, a special stone, a special decoration, we want to express ourselves via our house.”

#8

Minimalism In Belgium

Minimalism In Belgium

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

Is this one of these projects where they make a child's drawing reality?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Neighbors, Everybody Needs Goth Neighbors

Neighbors, Everybody Needs Goth Neighbors

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

Needs a good clean and a coat of paint otherwise it could be interesting

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Cut My House Into Pieces

Cut My House Into Pieces

uglybelgianhouses Report

#12

Meh

Meh

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

This also need a pressure washer deep clean, it would be beautiful again

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

It Is In The Darkness That One Finds The Sh**e

It Is In The Darkness That One Finds The Sh**e

uglybelgianhouses Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

When You’ve Seen The Trailer And You Know The Movie Sucks

When You’ve Seen The Trailer And You Know The Movie Sucks

uglybelgianhouses Report

#16

Just Another Brick In The Wall

Just Another Brick In The Wall

uglybelgianhouses Report

#17

Peak #uglybelgianhouses

Peak #uglybelgianhouses

uglybelgianhouses Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#23

(Turn Around) Every Now And Then I Get A Little Bit Tired Of These Houses

(Turn Around) Every Now And Then I Get A Little Bit Tired Of These Houses

uglybelgianhouses Report

#25

Optihouse Prime

Optihouse Prime

uglybelgianhouses Report

#27

Now That’s A Mancave

Now That’s A Mancave

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Myrtille rat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol it looks like it's a wink to Massabielle grotto ( a catholic pilgrimage place in the French pyrénées) 612206-gro...2be8b4.jpg 612206-grotte-massabielle-lourdes-vierge-serait-60c718b2be8b4.jpg

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Ready For The Third Wave

Ready For The Third Wave

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Allows you to feel seasick without the inconvenience of being on water

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#30

Some Houses Never Grow Up

Some Houses Never Grow Up

uglybelgianhouses Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#32

From The Movie Finding Doory

From The Movie Finding Doory

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

You could project movies onto that in the summer and charge rent for the audio headsets.

#33

Black & Why?te

Black & Why?te

uglybelgianhouses Report

#34

Now They’ve Gone Too Farao

Now They’ve Gone Too Farao

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, the rooms are a weird shape but you'll stay young for all eternity

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

I Believe I Can Cry

I Believe I Can Cry

uglybelgianhouses Report

#36

The Fatiron Building

The Fatiron Building

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#37

Robokot

Robokot

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ludwig Michiel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

About the caption: "kot" is Flemish (Belgian Dutch) for shed. (in an other context it can also mean student room)

ADVERTISEMENT
#38

Cut My House In To Pieces This Is My Last Carport

Cut My House In To Pieces This Is My Last Carport

uglybelgianhouses Report

#39

Nice Trick To Sell Your Ugly Belgian House

Nice Trick To Sell Your Ugly Belgian House

uglybelgianhouses Report

#40

At Least The Architect Made His Point

At Least The Architect Made His Point

uglybelgianhouses Report

#41

Welcome In The Neighborhoodie

Welcome In The Neighborhoodie

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The expensive alternative to simply buying blinds for your bedroom window

#43

Moved Back In With My Parents

Moved Back In With My Parents

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#44

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Roof Without A Room

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Roof Without A Room

uglybelgianhouses Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#46

A Game Of Sh*tris

A Game Of Sh*tris

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm intrigued by the broken glass panel in the front door. Burglars trying to get in or owner desperate to get out?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

I Don’t Pink So

I Don’t Pink So

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

I Visited One Of The Houses For Eenbe

I Visited One Of The Houses For Eenbe

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ludwig Michiel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A little bit of context: the creator of "Ugly Belgian Houses" has a part in a show on Belgian tv channel "Eén" where he visits people to ask them to react to their house being featured on his blog.

#50

Caption This

Caption This

uglybelgianhouses Report

#51

Yellow. It Ain't Me You're Looking For

Yellow. It Ain't Me You're Looking For

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#52

If I Ever Shoot The Movie 'Two Alfa Romeo's & Julia' I Know Where To Go

If I Ever Shoot The Movie 'Two Alfa Romeo's & Julia' I Know Where To Go

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#53

5 Steps To The Left, 5 Steps To The Right, Slide Real Smooth

5 Steps To The Left, 5 Steps To The Right, Slide Real Smooth

uglybelgianhouses Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

This Is My Church, This Is Where I Hurt My Heels

This Is My Church, This Is Where I Hurt My Heels

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#55

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Room Without A Roof

Clap Along If You Feel Like A Room Without A Roof

uglybelgianhouses Report

#56

Don’t Think Out Of The Box. Just Get Rid Of This Box

Don’t Think Out Of The Box. Just Get Rid Of This Box

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#57

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Was On Fire

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Was On Fire

uglybelgianhouses Report

#58

I’m Flabberhousted

I’m Flabberhousted

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

This one looks like it used to be some sort of public utility; electricity substation, water pumping station, or similar.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#59

Niet Mondriaan

Niet Mondriaan

uglybelgianhouses Report

#60

When Your Door Want Its Own House

When Your Door Want Its Own House

uglybelgianhouses Report

#61

Ugly? Sink Again

Ugly? Sink Again

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#62

I Don’t Understand

I Don’t Understand

uglybelgianhouses Report

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

Fire escape. Railings to hang onto while the crew rescues you.

#63

Please Close The Toilet Lid

Please Close The Toilet Lid

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#65

Blinded By The Stair Of Flights

Blinded By The Stair Of Flights

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

Housenumber 69

Housenumber 69

uglybelgianhouses Report

#69

When You Discover Belgium Is Currently Hardest-Hit By The Coronavirus

When You Discover Belgium Is Currently Hardest-Hit By The Coronavirus

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#71

Giant Cat Ate A House

Giant Cat Ate A House

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#72

No More Sex Parties In This House

No More Sex Parties In This House

uglybelgianhouses Report

#73

Caption This!

Caption This!

uglybelgianhouses Report

#75

Abandon Ship!

Abandon Ship!

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

Piece Of Cake

Piece Of Cake

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#77

Abracadabra Please Don’t Open Sesame

Abracadabra Please Don’t Open Sesame

uglybelgianhouses Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#78

There Is No Point

There Is No Point

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#79

Before You Make Your Opinion, Remember There Are Three Sides To This Story

Before You Make Your Opinion, Remember There Are Three Sides To This Story

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

The Eye Of The Tiger (I Mean Lion Look Closely)

The Eye Of The Tiger (I Mean Lion Look Closely)

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#82

I Hope His Doorbell Goes Yin Yang

I Hope His Doorbell Goes Yin Yang

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#83

Why Doesn’t Bpost Deliver My Package?

Why Doesn’t Bpost Deliver My Package?

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#85

Up Yours

Up Yours

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#86

Did The Eagles Split?!

Did The Eagles Split?!

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST
#87

I Wet My Plants

I Wet My Plants

uglybelgianhouses Report

Add photo comments
POST