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

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic