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World’s Ugliest Houses (and What We’d Do With Them)

No. 5 Top Heavy House, South Africa

Fix It Renovations ezine February 2014

Photo: Capetownbubble.blogspot.co.nz

You can see what the designer was trying to do with this large house in Cape Town – minimise its footprint so as to minimise the land used. But many people, including the neighbours, think the result is just ugly, giving this house the No. 5 spot in our Top 5 of the World’s Ugliest Houses.

Our recommendation: Forget about land use and think about house aesthetics and space. If the local building code permits, add a conventional base, garages and entrance to take away that top-heavy look and make the place more inviting. Then throw a housewarming party for the neighbours. They’ll be delighted because you will have removed an eyesore and added thousands to the value of their houses.


No. 4 Dancing House, Czech Republic

Fix It Renovations ezine February 2014

Photo: lekinamasterskaya.blogspot.co.nz

The look on these people’s faces says it all – this attempt to marry the old with the new in this apartment complex in the Czech Republic known as Dancing House has been bold and innovative, but the result is messy and disappointing.

Our recommendation: Start by getting rid of the clutter. Clean up the roofline by getting rid of the failed attempt at a dome in the corner and the garden shed on the left. We can see what the architect has tried to do with the balcony at the side of the “dancer” but in our opinion it doesn’t work and should be scrapped.


No. 3 Neon House, United States

Fix It Renovations ezine February 2014

Photo: flickr.com

People who paint their houses fluoro green are either trying to attract attention or detract attention from their houses’ less attractive features – in this case, the broken roof, unfinished entrance and untidy yard.  

Our recommendation: This house could be transformed into a real grand old lady by repainting in more subdued and elegant colours, fixing the roof, finishing the front doorway, getting rid of the junk  and doing some landscaping. Replacing what look like aluminium windows with more traditional frames would do wonders, too.


No. 2 Antilla, India

Fix It Renovations ezine February 2014

Photo: margproperties.com

We featured this in a previous edition of Home Improvement and believe it or not, it is the most expensive private residence in the world. Unfortunately it is also one of the ugliest, a blot on the skyline of Mumbai.

Our recommendation: As there’s simply nothing you can do with this megalithic tower of disjointed architectural styles, we recommend turning it into a living complex for the poverty-stricken of Mumbai. At least that way the building won’t be a complete waste of space.


No. 1 Beehive, New Zealand

Fix It Renovations ezine February 2014

Photo: Dailymail.co.uk

We realise that, strictly speaking, The Beehive isn’t a house, but politically speaking, it is part of what is known as the House. What’s more, many politicians have been known for sleeping there and beehives are homes for bees, aren’t they?

Our recommendation: According to the UK’s Daily Mail, The Beehive is considered all the more unsightly because of the beautiful Edwardian building next door. So there are two options – move Parliament House to another site so its traditional beauty is no longer sullied by this monstrosity, or just start believing that the Beehive is so ugly that it has a certain charm.


Dishonourable Mention

Fix It Renovations ezine February 2014

Photo: hgtv.ca

Does this look like the house next door to you? We hope not, but let’s face it, there are thousands of these kinds of ill-conceived, unloved houses across New Zealand.

Our recommendation: First, check that the designer of this home has left the industry and taken up a job that he or she is much better suited for – flipping burgers at McDonald’s, for example. Then, unless you’re a recluse and don’t want visitors, think about where you might put a front door. Next, reseal or replace the driveway, replant the lawn and put in some nice landscaping features to detract from the garage door, which currently dominates the look of the home.  Better still, get your local Fix It Renovations owner in to do it all for you.



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