Sunday, August 30, 2009

Liverpool Ferry Terminal wins Carbuncle Cup 2009

The Pier Head Ferry Terminal in Liverpool has been named the country's ugliest new building ahead of London's Westfield shopping centre and the fire station at Poundbury, the Prince of Wales's Dorset model village.

A panel of experts from Building Design magazine unanimously voted the £10.5m building, designed by Belfast-based Hamilton Architects, as the most notable new example of bad architecture.

The judges said the damage the ferry terminal had done to Liverpool's waterfront, which is a Unesco world heritage site, meant it deserved the 'Carbuncle Cup'. Amanda Baillieu, editor of Building Design, said: "It was given the Carbuncle Cup as much for where it is, as for its lack of architectural merit.



"The city's waterfront is one of the most important historical sites in Britain and you've got to be very careful with the architecture you put up there. What we get irritated about are architects trying to ape other famous architects.

"The result is abominable, complete pap and should never have been allowed to be built. It will look dated in only a year or two." Organisers said this year's Carbuncle Cup had seen a record number of public nominations. The award is made by a three-strong panel of judges.

A Merseytravel spokesman said: "We are proud of the Pier Head Ferry Terminal and have received widespread support for the building from the Merseyside community."

You can see the complete list of 'winners', including photos, here.

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