Friday Funny: Meet the Winner of the 2017 'Carbuncle Cup' for the U.K.'s Ugliest New Building

Building Design (BD) a British architecture publication, has announced the "winner" of the competition to decide the ugliest new building of the year.

1 minute read

September 8, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Nova Victoria

One of these things is not like the other. | Balakate / Shutterstock

"Nova Victoria, a mixed use scheme in London has won the 2017 Carbuncle Cup," reports Thomas Lane.

The judges asses the building as "crass," "over-scaled," and "a hideous mess."

Lane's coverage of the announcement also includes snapshots of the six finalists.

Oliver Wainwright picked up the news of the Carbuncle Cup. Here's how Wainwright summarizes the judge's assessment of Nova Victoria:

Described by judges as “one of the worst office developments central London has ever seen”, and one that “sets a new benchmark for dystopian dysfunction”, the Nova building was especially criticised for “the bright red prows that adorn various points of the exterior like the inflamed protruding breasts of demented preening cockerels”.

Hat tip to Jason Sayer for sharing the news about the Carbuncle Cup.

Thursday, September 7, 2017 in Building Design

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

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

White bike symbol painted on green bike lane.

OKC Approves 7.2 Miles of New Bike Lanes

The city council is implementing its BikeWalkOKC plan, which recommends new bike lanes on key east-west corridors.

March 21 - Oklahoma City Free Press

Aerial view of downtown Houston, Texas skyline with low-rise housing in foreground.

Preserving Houston’s ‘Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing’

Unsubsidized, low-cost rental housing is a significant source of affordable housing for Houston households, but the supply is declining as units fall into disrepair or are redeveloped into more expensive units.

March 21 - Urban Edge

Small tree in bloom with pink flowers in front of home in Toronto, Canada.

The Most Popular Tree on Google?

Meet Rodney: the Toronto tree getting rave reviews.

March 21 - Toronto Star