Not every government building gets the same level of affection as a courthouse with columns or a historic city hall. When over 3,000 people were asked to weigh in on the country's ugliest public buildings, civic architecture across the nation gets exposed as drab, uninspiring and even ugly. Here are the key findings from a recent survey by the New Jersey Real Estate Network:
Michigan, Alabama and New York appear multiple times. Michigan has two entries in the top 20: Flint's City Center took the top spot, and Saginaw's courthouse landed at number 17. Alabama places four buildings on the list, and New York has three, including the Buffalo City Court at number three.
Court buildings dominate. More than one-half of the top 30 entries are courthouses or judicial centers. That is not entirely surprising, since many were built during the mid-to-late 20th century when brutalist and utilitarian styles were the norm. They were designed to convey authority and efficiency but often look cold and fortress-like.
Libraries, auditoriums and city halls round out the mix. The list includes a surprising number of libraries and multi-use civic centers. From the Gadsden Public Library in Alabama to the Wicomico Civic Center in Maryland, these spaces often suffer from the same aesthetic issues: flat facades, oversized signage and uninspired layouts.
Not every listing is purely about looks. The survey focused on visual appeal, but that sentiment often overlaps with the way residents feel about the function and upkeep of the space. A drab building that delivers great service might be tolerated. But if it is crumbling and confusing to navigate, complaints really stack up. Here are the top 10 results:
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.?
