2018 Carbuncle Cup
|
| On 6th September 2018, Building Design awarded the dubious honour of the Carbuncle Cup for 2018 to a leisure complex called Redrock Stockport in Stockport. |
The Carbuncle Cup is an annual architectural prize awarded by the magazine Building Design. The 'winner' is 'the ugliest building in the United Kingdom completed in the last 12 months.' A shortlist is compiled from nominations voted on by the public, and the winner is decided by a panel of critics. It is usually timed to coincide with the prestigious Sterling Prize, as a light-hearted way of identifying 'crimes against architecture'.
The name is derived from Prince Charles' oft-quoted criticism of the proposed extension to the National Gallery in 1984 which he described as “a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend”.
The £45 million development formed part of a wider £1 billion regeneration project for the South Manchester town, and incorporates a cinema, restaurants and bars. It was designed by the architecture firm BDP which is currently working on the renovation of the Houses of Parliament.
Building Design readers objected to the building's awkward and disjointed form - a series of block-like structures with strange angles and garish cladding. The judges described it as being a 'sad metaphor for our failing high streets' and a 'missed opportunity'.
The other shortlisted projects that were beaten by Redrock Stockport were as follows:
Beckley Point, Plymouth
Boyes Rees Architects
20 Ambleside Avenue, London
Pace Jefford Moore Architects
Haydn Tower, Nine Elms Point, London
Rolfe Judd
Lewisham Gateway
PRP Architects
Shankly Hotel, Liverpool
Signature Living
[Images courtesy of Building Design.]
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.
Comments