Boston City Hall -- World's Ugliest?

Yeah, that's it, thanx. The photo at the site I attempted to link is even more stark. I believe this is called the Brutalist school of architecture.

Yeah, but this worldwide, not just Boston. As Jespah said, we're # 1!!!

Here is Austin's City Hall...

Interior...



Exterior...

That IS pretty bad, RP. Looks like a college architecture class project from the '70s. ("C" work at that.)

The de Young looked friendlier in your photo, Osso, when the copper was new. It's black now. Not even a nice patina. Sheesh. I understand they're planting things on the tower, so eventually it will have vines or something on it. As much as I dislike that idea, at least it will cover up part of it.

I do like the Denver Art Museum in your photo, too. Not so much in Dys' photo. But hey...at least it's not black.

A brutalist facade with floating white tennis balls. Don't those people look depressed?

Hah, I thought I was kidding when I said brutalist.

Wonder how those diving windows work with office space. Bummer...

I'm mixed on the outside. It's not boring. On the other hand..

I have this bias, that there is a certain comfort for humans with balance, if not symmetry, in design. The breaking of a sense of balance can be exciting, and it tends to involve movement or an impression of movement. I think I want my work life to take place in a space that feels stable - if I am concentrating on details of a job...
just mulling.

I really like it.

here's my favorite building, the Frost Bank Tower.

What would you expect from the government? You can also bet that there's twice as many handicapped parking spaces in their garages as their own laws require, sitting empty, and wheelchair ramps to the health club cardio room....

I'll say one thin g about good ole cjhsa -- he sure knew how to kill a thread dead.

FYI for anyone who's never seen the building (this happens to be the view from my company's Boston office):

Rereading the thread, at the beginning I said something nicey about Boston City Hall, and I see I meant the one that Region posted, not the Brutal splotch on the landscape. Or, I hope I did.

And to think they tore down ole Scollay Square, with its warren of burlesque houses, gin mills and cheap rooming houses to build this monstrosity. Sad, really.

I'm kind of biased towards Boston City Hall building due to sentimental reasons. But I believe part of the problem isn't the futuristic fortress nature of the building itself but its very sterile and dysutopian site installation. They need to plant a public garden with trees and benches in the public gathering spot surrounding the City Hall and give the public area a bit of life and a driving force that would attract people to linger and meditate within.

There is a Farmers' Market there every Monday and Wednesday (Fridays, too, maybe, I'm not sure) during warmer months, so it's nice to have some open space for that.

Actually, RP and I are going there today. A friend of mine from High School is a Southwest flight attendant, in Boston for the day. The easiest place I could think of to send her was Government Center (we come in from the Green Line; she'd take the Blue Line from the Airport) and then we'll go to Faneuil Hall or something from there. But the directions were, go to Government Center T stop, get out and in front of you is The World's Ugliest Government building.

She says she's looking forward to it.

I still think it could use a nicely strategic tree or two or three or a fountain.... (((pouting)))

Goood point, tsar. I think I agree with you. It's all that red brick surrounding the building that helps emphasize the negative aspects of the architecture. It needs "softening."

Boston City Hall tops ugliest-building list.

How's this for a turn around.

Boston City Hall was just named one of the 10 most beautiful city halls in the US