The 10 Ugliest Buildings of the World

You'd think that because of the existence of architecture, there would be no such thing as an ugly building. But believe it or not, not even the strict, rigid discipline of architecture has been able to prevent the worst designs from slipping through the cracks. Many eyesores have unfortunately been erected throughout the world, much to the chagrin of office workers, residents and locals that have to deal with them on a daily basis. In fact, so many awful structures have been erected that forums like Skyscraper Page and publications like Forbes have had fun posting their scathing critiques of what they consider the worst buildings of all time.

Why should they have all the fun? Why not us here at Associated Content? Keeping in the spirit of these web sites, I've compiled a list of contenders for the ugliest buildings ever erected. They span nearly all parts of the globe, have been designed by everyone from unknown hacks to starchitects, and range in function from shopping centers to government offices. Could they very well be the worst buildings known to man? See if you agree and discuss in the comments section below!

10. Dom Sovetov, Kaliningrad
Before this concrete structure was recently improved with a fresh coat of paint, this Russian structure was one of the most hideous buildings in existence. So terrible was it that local residents nicknamed it the "monster house", and not just because it looks like an evil robot about to devour the poor citizens of Kalingrad. It's dark, depressing, and menacing-- a perfect symbol of the oppressive regimes that would rule the USSR for several decades.

9. Boston City Hall, Boston
If you ever tried to envision what any one of the structures in George Orwell's dystopian nightmare must've looked like, look no further. Ministry of Truth, thy name is Boston City Hall, one of the homeliest, most unadored buildings of all time and a frequent contender in many "world's ugliest buildings" lists. Unlike many ugly buildings that have had the luxury of eventually being loved by the locals, Bostonians are still praying for the day when this concrete-slabbed abomination finally gets bulldozed out of existence. Can't say that I blame them.

8. Ontario School of Art and Design, Ontario
Some designs should've never left the drafting table. This building, created for the Ontario School of Art and Design, is one of them. Supposedly, its exuberant design of colored pencils propping up a checkered box was meant to embody the freewheeling, creative spirit of an art school. Too bad it's more evocative of a clown college. The only thing more shocking than the fact that this thing ever got built was that neighboring residents never stormed it with pitchforks and torches.

7. Selfridges, Birmingham
What is it? An alien? A chain-mailed slug? Or just a bizarre drug-induced trip that the architects had while drafting this thing? Whatever it is, one this is sure-- this shopping center not only frequently shows up a lot in "ugliest buildings" lists, it was probably instrumental in getting Birmingham voted as England's ugliest city in 2008. Ouch.

6. Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Not surprisingly, this homely structure keeps popping up everywhere on everyone's worst buildings list and has been called everything from "an abandoned 80s car park" to a design that a 4 year old could've come up with. Not only is it just hideous to look at from every conceivable angle, its wacky tacky design is highly inappropriate for the function it's supposed to serve. The sad irony about this structure is that the interior is as gorgeous as its exterior is hideous, making the saying "beauty's only skin deep" not only true, but necessary.

5. Grand Lisboa Hotel, Macau
Like a really ugly drag queen in full Las Vegas showgirls regalia proudly unveiling himself in front of a horrified crowd, this architectural nightmare stands proudly marring the otherwise serene Macau landscape. With a building this bad, we can only wonder what type of evil the people of Macau did to deserve such a building. (Disembowel babies? Rape cattle? Sacrifice virgins?) Some people have suggested that this hideous structure is merely misunderstood and will be seen as a masterpiece by a new generation in 50 years. If that ever happens I am certain that this aforementioned generation will either be heavily medicated or stoned out of its mind.

4. Ryugyong Hotel ("Hotel of Doom"), Pyongyang
An eyesore at best and a frightening structure at worst, this unfinished, unoccupied pyramidal structure menacingly looms over the citizens of Pyongyang like a drooling, 45 year old cougar at a Jonas Brothers concert. Its creepy, monstrous height is only made worse by the fact that it stood empty and uncompleted for over a decade and is structurally unsound. People the world over are hoping that North Korea will put this and the people of Pyongyang out of their misery. But with construction work having just restarted recently, it looks like it won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

3. Royal Ontario Museum (The ROM Crystal), Ontario
Dear Ontario, you may be courting the best architects in the world to help revitalize your city by redesigning its schools and museums. But guess what? Between the awful Ontario School of Art and Design and this obscenely self indulgent, non-contextual design, it's apparent-- they're just not that into you. If they were, they wouldn't keep using you as their personal waste paper basket. Just letting you know.

2. Torre Velasca, Milan
Just when you thought architects couldn't top themselves when it comes to ugly buildings, here comes this monstrosity from Italy, ironically a country known for its beautiful architecture. Top heavy and unsightly in every way, shape, and form, the building's bulky overhang seems less than an homage to Italian towers of the medieval and Renaissance eras than a slap in the face followed by a swift kick to the family jewels. Is it an eyesore? In the words of Sarah Palin, "You betchya!"

1. Experience Music Project, Seattle
Self indulgent, bizarre, and just plain grotesque, esteemed critics and regular folk alike have struggled to come up with the words to describe Frank Gehry's disasterpiece, the EMP, a blobby, shapeless mass of goo that recently became the iconic Space Needle's new best friend. (And by "best friend", I mean that really ugly chick you keep around you at parties to make you look more attractive.) Many have died (laughing) trying to come up with the best way to express their disdain for the structure. As great as their attempts have been, the grand prize of insults must go to critic Herbert Muschamp, who probably said it best in 2004 in a New York Times article that sneered, "Frank Gehry's Experience Music Project looks like something that crawled out of the sea, rolled over and died."

Amen!