Delaram Art & Design

When talking about architecture, there’s a fine line between creative and ridiculous. Bold and funny. Tasteful and appalling. And when a project crosses it, people often notice. And shame it.

Ugly Dutch Houses is an Instagram account that does just that. Radiating a similar vibe as its Irish and Belgian “cousins”, this online project shares photos of structures that it believes to deserve the demolition crane. Or at least a good makeover.

And it’s quite thirsty, too. “I will look for you, I will find you and I will post you,” the bio of the Insta says. Liam Neeson approves!

More info: Instagram#1 

This House Could Appear On Your Geometry Test

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 111pointsPOST

An Co2 weeks ago

I would totally BUY that house. Seems great. Elevated so no flood risk. Concrete so it is ‘green’ (no air leakage). Easy to describe to the pizza guy.38ReplyView More Replies…View more comments

Preparing a piece about a Facebook group dedicated to architecture shaming, my colleague Jonas spoke about what separates good and bad design, the need to democratize the access to quirky private property designs, as well as about the roles that architecture plays with an expert in the field from Sweden who has a background in urban planning. 

The urban planner explained to Bored Panda that while public spaces must meet safety and accessibility standards, aesthetic standards can be much more fluid for buildings.

“Most of the time, the elements of the built environment should be in harmony amidst each other and with the surroundings. However, sometimes, something bolder and out-of-the-box might form an engaging contrast,” she said. However, the expert added that, in her personal opinion, our built environments have to engage us, as well as stimulate our minds and senses. In fact, she believes that architecture’s ability to make us think is one of its most powerful aspects.

Which, you have to admit, these Dutch houses accomplish with ease.#2 

When Your Architect Wants ‘To Try Something New’

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 100pointsPOST

grotesqueer2 weeks ago

Inspiration: a paper bag58ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#3 

My Tony Hawk Senses Are Tingling

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 95pointsPOST

Vicky Z2 weeks ago

Has a huge slide!!! Wheeee!!!26ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#4 

I’m Not Feeling Very Well Today….

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 86pointsPOST

Vicky Z2 weeks ago

You are playing sims wrong31ReplyView more commentshttps://32ac1f0688086a105b699deca7e39d13.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

“There are circumstances where the architecture should create a sense of calmness and safety, yet there are instances in which it is not bad if the architecture provokes us and makes us think, ‘Why don’t I like the look of this building?’”

The urban planner said that we should give people the freedom to express themselves as they wish when it comes to designing their private property. As long as they have the means, nearly everything is allowed, in her opinion. Just like we’re allowed to have an opinion on their ‘experiments’ too!#5 

The Pope’s Ugly Dutch Vacation Home

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 84pointsPOST

Lav Oravaf2 weeks ago

it comes with a teleportation cabin…41ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#6 

It’s Very Hot In Holland So It’s An Appropiate Time To Post An Ugly Dutch House On Water!

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 83pointsPOST

Ally Joy2 weeks ago

I love this!69ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#7 

When Your Architect Wasn’t As Sharp As He Used To Be When Finishing The Construction Plans

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 80pointsPOST

Tristan J2 weeks ago

Is this not a greenhouse?41ReplyView More Replies…View more comments

“Quirky architecture comes from our innate desire to demonstrate our [own] uniqueness. However, not everyone who has the means has an average taste for aesthetics. Yet, as long as it is for the people who inhabit or use their private space, I mean why not?” she told Bored Panda that as long as you’re not actively harming anyone else with how bad your designs are, you should be able to be as unique as you want. Even if it falls short of objective aesthetic standards.#8 

The Architect Dropped A Cube Of Green Soap And Suddenly He Had A Vision

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 80pointsPOST

Malka de Lange2 weeks ago

This is naar my house and I’ve always been so curious about it. All the other houses around it are the regular style you’d expect here. This one sure stands out23ReplyView more commentshttps://32ac1f0688086a105b699deca7e39d13.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html#9 

Bilbo Baggins’ Holiday House

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 78pointsPOST

Otter2 weeks ago

I might like that one.52ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#10 

Yes, This Is A House. Yes, People Actually Live Here And Yes, The Windows Weren’t Even Placed Symmetrically

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 78pointsPOST

Serial pacifist2 weeks ago

It looks like a modernist cult-church-temple thing.73ReplyView more comments#11 

Wharchitect The F**k

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 73pointsPOST

Serial pacifist2 weeks ago

Lobsterland.24ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#12 

Error 404: Windows Not Found

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 72pointsPOST

Vicky Z2 weeks ago(edited)

That’s a very depressing building36ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#13 

If You Think This Is Complex Then Wait Until You Hear Their Alarm Code

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 69pointsPOST

Otter2 weeks ago

I might like that place. Okay, I might like it from the inside…27ReplyView more comments#14 

The Egyptians Are Taking Over

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 65pointsPOST

Grant Barke2 weeks ago

This definitely wasn’t built by aliens.5ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#15 

Don’t Drink And Build

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 65pointsPOST

Caro Caro2 weeks ago

The house of Orange.13ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#16 

The Color Red Is Often Associated With The Word ‘Stop’… I Rest My Case

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 64pointsPOST

Caro Caro2 weeks ago

And then you get an ugly front door too. Just to top it off..14ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#17 

If You Go Through The Front Door, You’ll Meet Bowser

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 57pointsPOST

Yoinks!2 weeks ago

Not sure I’d ever go through that door. Are those bricks actually collapsing, or is it just a ‘clever’ effect?11ReplyView more comments#18 

25% Glass, 75% Ugly

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 56pointsPOST

Vicky Z2 weeks ago

Why i see everything upside down?13ReplyView more comments#19 

From Holland With Love

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 56pointsPOST

Caro Caro2 weeks ago

Russian Palace by Piet Blom 1993 in Amersfoort.21ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#20 

When You Decide Last Minute That You Don’t Want Your House Shaped Like A Triangle

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 54pointsPOST

keepgoing2 weeks ago

This could have been done afterwards. Many people add a dormer roof/window for more space,6ReplyView more comments#21 

@uglybelgianhouses We’ve Got Them Too!

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 48pointsPOST

Caro Caro2 weeks ago

Wasn’t this a thing in the 70’s?10ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#22 

The Roof Is Taking Off

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 47pointsPOST

Marion2 weeks ago

It is ugly, aye. But still clever.5ReplyView more comments#23 

If You Look Very Carefully You’ll See Something Which Somewhat Looks Like A House

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 46pointsPOST

Ozymandias732 weeks ago

Leaves on the roof? No Problem. Standing water on the roof? No problem. Santa? Possible problems. 29ReplyView more comments#24 

Hey So Did You Hear About This Neighbourhood Called New-Caïro In Amsterdam?

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 45pointsPOST

Danny Boy2 weeks ago

Wait, I know what you’re thinking, but this idea is fresh… it rhymes with Wall Goof4ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#25 

The Architect Had A Lot Of Ideas

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 45pointsPOST

Nelson Ricardo2 weeks ago

None of them good.30ReplyView more comments#26 

I Just Feel Sorry For The Postman

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 45pointsPOST

Sue2 weeks ago

I like this one. Lol.15ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#27 

Even The Quality Of This Picture Is Ugly

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 43pointsPOST

DUN DUN2 weeks ago

I like the title of this pic14ReplyView more comments#28 

The Roof Is Everywhere

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 43pointsPOST

Vivian Zhang2 weeks ago

Where’s the house part?15ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#29 

Taking The “I’m Glad To Have A Roof Above My Head” Phrase A Bit Too Literal

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 40pointsPOST

Steph2 weeks ago

Perfect example of “ANTI-Feng Shui”10ReplyView more comments#30 

I Like The Fact That Straw Burns Really Good

uglydutchhouses ReportFinal score: 36pointsPOST

Caro Caro2 weeks ago(edited)

Thatched roofs have been used for centuries and not only in the Netherlands. They insulate the house really well. You pay a bit more insurance though because of fire risk. Not straw but thatch.50ReplyView More Replies…View more comments

Note: this post originally had 67 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 235 million people have read the posts he’s written, which is probably more than he could count to. Read more »

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