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
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Comments