Architects Defend the World's 'Most Hated' Buildings

Not every building can be a winner, and some buildings that aspired to greatness fall short in public esteem. Yet maybe some of the buildings that world loves to hate deserve a second look.

1 minute read

June 7, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tour Montparnasse

anshar / Shutterstock

Alexandra Lange shares the thoughts of seven of the world's leading architects asked to defend the "world's most hated buildings." The question explored by the exercise: "Can the field’s top minds change the way we think about a doomed housing project in Naples or the most abhorred skyscraper in Paris?"

The cavalcade of equivocations features Daniel Libeskind, on behalf of Tour Montparnasse in Paris, France; Zaha Hadid, on behalf of the Orange County Government Center in Goshen, New York; Annabelle Selldorf, on behalf of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York; Ada Tolla, on behalf of Vele di Scampia in Naples, Italy; Norman Foster, on behalf of the Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Germany; Amande Levete, on behalf of the BT Tower in London, United Kingdom; and Vincent van Duysen, on behalf of Centre Pompidou in Paris, France.

Friday, June 5, 2015 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Large Walmart store with empty parking lot.

How Smaller Supermarkets Could Transform American Communities

Bigger is not always better.

January 2, 2025 - Marcelo Remond

Large brutalist building and skyscrapers viewed from middle of wide street in downtown Houston, Texas.

Research Links Urban Design and Human Happiness

An emerging field of ‘neuroarchitectural’ research is revealing how building facades and urban design impact the human brain and body.

January 3, 2025 - Wired

Pedestrians in a busy city intersection with a cirty bus passing behind them.

Save Lives on Our Roads Using the Safe System Approach

Prioritizing safety and committing to the SSA framework can make a big impact in the effort to reduce traffic fatalities.

January 1, 2025 - Beth Wemple

"Danger Extreme Fire Hazard" sign on street sign post below "No Parking" sign.

Rising Temperatures and the Escalating Wildfire Crisis

Rising global temperatures driven by climate change are intensifying and prolonging wildfire seasons worldwide, necessitating improved forest management, public awareness, and urgent action to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

2 hours ago - DW.com

Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline with river and bridge in foreground.

Looking Back on 60 Years of Land Development in the Twin Cities

In 1960, about 12 percent of the Twin Cities metro's land was already developed. By 2020, about 34 percent had been developed. Many factors influenced how the region has changed since 1960.

4 hours ago - Metropolitan Council: Metro Update

New Haven, Connecticut downtown skyline with fall foliage in foreground.

New Haven Reaches for Reinvention Amidst Failures of Urban Renewal

Seeking recovery from decades of failed urban renewal projects, New Haven rings in the new year by continuing a series of small-scale urban planning initiatives to reinvent its municipal spaces. 

6 hours ago - Governing Magazine

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.