2016 Carbuncle Cup
On 7th September, Building Design awarded the dubious honour of the Carbuncle Cup for 2016 to London’s Lincoln Plaza high-rise development.
The Carbuncle Cup is an annual architectural prize awarded to ‘the ugliest building in the United Kingdom completed in the last 12 months’. A shortlist is compiled from public-voted nominations, and the winner decided by a panel of critics.
Lincoln Plaza’s victory makes it the fifth consecutive year that London has received the award.
Lincoln Plaza is located in South Quay, neighbouring Canary Wharf, and was developed by Galliard Homes and designed by the firm BUJ Architects.
The precise location was one of the factors in the panel’s decision, with them criticising the developer’s marketing commentary which sought to describe the tower as being situated in the more prestigious district of Canary Wharf.
The tower is characterised by its irregular stacked-box form, jutting rectangular balconies and Tetris-like coloured aluminium cladding. The panel described the tower as being:
‘...a putrid pugilistic horror show that should never have been built. In its bilious cladding, chaotic form, adhesive balconies and frenzied facades, it exhibits the absolute worst in shambolic architectural design and cheap visual gimmickry.’
It joins the ‘illustrious’ pantheon of ‘crimes against architecture’ such as the Walkie-Talkie building, Woolwich Central, and Strata SE1. See an overview of previous winners here.
The other shortlisted projects that were beaten by Lincoln Plaza were as follows:
Saffron Square, Croydon
The Diamond, University of Sheffield
One Smithfield, Stoke-on-Trent
Poole Methodist Church extension, Poole
5 Broadgate, London
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 2017 Carbuncle Cup.
- 2018 Carbuncle Cup.
- Architectural styles.
- Building of the week series.
- Carbuncle Cup.
- Concept architectural design.
- RIBA Stirling Prize 2016.
- Unusual building design of the week.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Shortage of high-quality data threatening the AI boom
And other fundamental issues highlighted by the Open Data Institute.
Data centres top the list of growth opportunities
In robust, yet heterogenous world BACS market.
Increased funding for BSR announced
Within plans for next generation of new towns.
New Towns Taskforce interim policy statement
With initial reactions to the 6 month policy update.
Heritage, industry and slavery
Interpretation must tell the story accurately.
PM announces Building safety and fire move to MHCLG
Following recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry report.
Conserving the ruins of a great Elizabethan country house.
BSRIA European air conditioning market update 2024
Highs, lows and discrepancy rates in the annual demand.
50 years celebrating the ECA Apprenticeship Awards
As SMEs say the 10 years of the Apprenticeship Levy has failed them.
Nominations sought for CIOB awards
Celebrating construction excellence in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
EPC consultation in context: NCM, SAP, SBEM and HEM
One week to respond to the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings framework.
CIAT Celebrates 60 years of Architectural Technology
Find out more #CIAT60 social media takeover.
The BPF urges Chancellor for additional BSR resources
To remove barriers and bottlenecks which delay projects.
Flexibility over requirements to boost apprentice numbers
English, maths and minimumun duration requirements reduced for a 10,000 gain.
A long term view on European heating markets
BSRIA HVAC 2032 Study.
Humidity resilience strategies for home design
Frequency of extreme humidity events is increasing.
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
Skills for life : 10-16 February