The World's 5 Worst Architectural Failures

[@katieskarlette]

Honorable mention to whomever designed the new customer service desk at my workplace and decided it should have: A.) sharp corner pieces sticking out at ankle height, B.) a surface that is black with gray pattern that makes it looks constantly dusty, and C.) such a slant on the customer-facing side that nobody can rest a pencil or stack of items there without it sliding down to the other end.

[@maxpayne2574]

Probably a high price interior designer had to be consulted.

[@kylarstern7627]

I think I've got that exact same desk as a dinning table

[@2011blueman]

Those might all be intentional design choices. A) keep you standing at the help desk assisting customers, B) lower cleaning time if it always looks that way, C) make the customer facing side as inconvenient as possible lowering the amount of time they spend in front of the desk.

[@tingeoftheginge775]

@@2011blueman The whole standing to serve mentality is pathetic imo, not once have I seen a worker sitting at a desk and thought "Well that'll hinder your ability to serve me"

[@rhondasisco-cleveland2665]

Lol

[@blarghmcblarghson1903]

Architects like Le Corbusier are why structural engineers are absolutely required in every project.

[@armands3863]

You must not have seen a lot of his creations .....

[@blarghmcblarghson1903]

@@armands3863 True, I haven't, but I made that statement referring directly to his objection of efforts to fix his building even after it proved itself to be an impractical, uninhabitable mess. I remember there's a saying that goes along the lines of "architects draw the plans, but engineers make them possible" because there's a tendency of architects to sacrifice function over form.

[@aleisterlavey9716]

Le Corbusier should motivate people to follow their dreams. He became a famous Architect without any sense for aesthetics.

[@negativeindustrial]

Architectural tool kits include crayons and glue sticks with glitter inside. If you want the structure to withstand the world around it, you’ve got to hire a structural engineer. You can probably guess what my day job is…

[@danguillou713]

I thought architect nowadays were a sub species of engineers? Like, you have to have some engineering first, before you can specialize in architecture. Anyway, not so for Le Dumdum who had exactly zero background in actual construction or engineering. My impression of his aestethics and architectural system, is that they come out of pure philosophical speculation and ideology. He’s like an evil William Gibson inventing a futuristic dystopia because he thinks it’d be cool.

[@geophizz]

I worked in the Hancock building a few years ago. Windows were still capable of popping out occasoinally, but by then they had an extensive monitoring system where the pressure on the floor would be reversed to hold the window in place so crews could secure the window. Also, if you got off the elevator on the top floors on a windy day, you could actually see the floor move a little bit relative to the elevator floor, making stepping out of the elevator an adventure. Trivia: The building was also called "Woodpecker Hall" when it was completely covered in plywood in the 70's.

[@-Be4st-]

A skyscraper in London had a death ray that melted cars and even set a few on fire. You could cook an egg with just the beam of light. Pretty sure there was one in Birmingham too, but can't seem to find anything in the news

[@HollowsRus]

There was one in birmingham but i can't remember where it was if memory serves correct it set a man on fire who was leaving a barbers

[@georgeu6994]

The walkie scorchie was also designed by the architect that did the Vdara hotel and spa (Rafael Viñoly).

[@someonebald2022]

Yeah, the "Walkie Talkie". kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWi5dqhqj62Gi7c

[@Metallica4Life92]

@@georgeu6994 that guy definitely knows he's constructing parabolic mirrors.

[@kenbrown2808]

Disney built a concert hall in Los angeles that had to have the facade matte finished for the same reason.

[@Yvolve]

A famous one is the Citigroup Center in NYC, which was so poorly designed, an engineering student couldn't believe it was safe and did some calculations. That person realised it could topple in heavy winds and told Citigroup. They decided to fix it outside of office hours, so nobody would know, which is insane. People working there and in surrounding buildings, and passing by had no idea it could come crashing down with the right wind conditions.

[@OrigamiMarie]

IIRC it was a very specific direction of wind too, and they got it fixed up just in time for one particular storm.

[@kenbrown2808]

it gets better. there was a pair of skyscrapers in NYC that one of fire chiefs actually filed a lawsuit to redesign it during the planning process, because its lack of firebreaks and construction with free span floor joists hung with clips from a perimeter wall put it at risk of catastrophic collapse if it ever suffered a multifloor fire. which happened on September 11, 2001.

[@vodafoneuser1690]

@@kenbrown2808 Larry knew :)

[@kenbrown2808]

@@vodafoneuser1690 Actually, it was chief Vincent Dunn.

[@greggd3351]

It's my understanding, as a sucessfully recovering architecture student, is that Frank Lloyd Wrong couldn't design a watertight roof to save his life.

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

LOL that is a well said, what do you mean by successfully recovering architecture student.

[@MH-fb5kr]

Bring out the blue tarps…

[@TheSlurpeeMan]

Fallingwater was the most correct name of any of his works

[@4471marks]

@@Thebreakdownshow1 it’s a joke based on the idea that an architecture student is an undesirable thing to be

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

@@4471marks lol I wasnt aware of that being a thing.

[@martinstallard2742]

0:41 John Hancock tower 3:17 Vdara hotel and spa 5:05 Tacoma narrows bridge 7:27 Villa Savoye 9:53 Cloud skyscraper

[@PachinkoMedia]

I'm surprised that you used Vdara as an example when the Harmon Tower literally 500 feet away was built almost to completion but had to be torn down due to improper construction.

[@mgmcd1]

Le Corbusier’s house looks like a 1970s cement office building.

[@nealhoffman7518]

The unrealistic optimistic view of galloping gertie... for only 6 million dollars it is immortal in the memory of humanity

[@paulsarnik8506]

And Dogmanity🐶

[@kenbrown2808]

the lesson to be learned from galloping gertie was about harmonics and site conditions. the bridge would have withstand an 80 MPH wind, but went into harmonic resonance between 40 and 50 MPH which was the usual wind speed through the narrows.

[@fllnthblnks9681]

RIP Tubby, the goodest boi.

[@rodchallis8031]

Many years ago my wife and I were at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and we found a display of three proposed models for the extension and refurbishment of the venerable old building. I pointed to one, and told my wife that was the design they were going to adopt. "Why?!" she said, "That's a monstrosity!" "Exactly." I replied. And there you have it ladies and gentlemen, I was 100% right, and that's why the ROM looks idiotic today.

[@MrG9002]

Just looked that up....agreed. Sometimes when you try to be different things can go a bit too far.

[@dbenze]

Le Corbusier was one of the first architects to popularize flat roofs in Europe or better “western” climates not suited for them. traditionally flat roofs are only built in areas with little rain. At the time, it was still common practice to use the highest floor for drying clothes or similar, since it was supposed to soak and dry. living space would only go until the second highest floor. The significance of the villa is, in part, the idea that roofs could be used, even be planted on. the technology caught up, because he demonstrated that this was desirable, not already doable.

[@backcountry164]

Thought for sure you'd have the Citicorp Center. That's an interesting story.

[@dennisalsmeijer3698]

I liked that last tower project, yes I can see what they mean but there is some much more to see in it. Not oke with the whole story of evicting people and so. But the design of those two towers, Love it.

[@ryanbarker5217]

you love how it reminds people of the twin towers under attack?

[@am53n8]

It's an interesting idea. I can see why the americans wouldn't like it, but for the rest of the world it's not something at the forefront of our minds

[@ryanbarker5217]

@@am53n8 we wouldn't build something that was offensive to another country, though. i don't buy it that an architect built twin towers with a feature in the middle that resembles an explosion and it just didn't occur to them. i call bullshit. no one in the field would be that clueless, and this feels more like an insult rather than an, 'oops, i didn't think of it,' deal.

[@dennisalsmeijer3698]

@@ryanbarker5217 it's sad to see how you try to start a discussion and point a finger by twisting words.

[@ryanbarker5217]

@@dennisalsmeijer3698 what words am i twisting?

[@Jake-Last-Name]

That Twin Tower criticism was a bit of a stretch yeah? The design looked pretty cool.

[@bryanmcgucken7209]

Idk, my first thought was that it looked like a minecraft version of the Towers’ debris clouds. Sounds like it was drawn just a couple years after 9/11/01, too, when sensativity was still rinning very high

[@kenbrown2808]

@@bryanmcgucken7209 my immediate impression of it, too.

[@gravesclayton3604]

Actually, when I saw the video thumbnail, I thought it was a picture of 911 behind Simon. So, no, it isn't a very far stretch at all, especially if you watched it happen. It's a pretty obnoxious design regardless of the 911 similarity, and one I would not wish to figure out how to actually make structurally sound. Just another glaring example of typical an "architect's" ignorance of physics, thankfully not a fatal one.

[@oneminuteofmyday]

Yes. “Gasp in horror” was indeed the initial gut reaction upon seeing the thumbnail.

[@meatball5020]

I was expecting the Kansas City Hyatt Regency walkway collapse to be on this list.

[@Michael75579]

That was a construction failure rather than an architectural failure though. What the architect designed wouldn't have collapsed in that way, but somewhere along the line a crucial change was made to the way the walkways were suspended which introduced the fatal flaw.

[@meatball5020]

@@Michael75579 What the architect originally designed wouldn't have collapsed. That is probably correct, but from what I have read, it wouldn't have been to code regardless. The design change was recommended by Havens Steel Company before construction began. One of the engineers working on the project accepted the change without looking at it. All of the architects/engineers on the project seemed to have believed that someone else had done the analysis for the updated design. The original design wasn't to code because it was, to my knowledge, a preliminary design. It wasn't a failure of the builders-they were just reading the plans given to them. I would say that this was a failure of the architects, and that it would therefore qualify for this video. Also, even if this wasn't the case, architecture is the study of the design and construction of structures, so even if it was a construction failure (that being a mistake made by the people who actually built the structure), it still would've been an architectural failure.

[@zar3434]

My engineer friends each received a steel ring upon graduating. The story goes that originally the rings were made from recovered steel from the Tacoma bridge as a constant reminder that lives depended on their decisions.

[@jphilb]

Actually it was said to be from the Quebec Bridge that collapsed in 1907. Simon did a video about it a while back. Of course he did.

[@zar3434]

@@jphilb I stand corrected.

[@route2070]

I keep forgetting there's a John Hancock Tower in Boston. While officially the name of the building in Chicago changed, I don't think most locals know that happened. I didn't find out until this year.

[@geophizz]

I think the Hancock in Boston was renamed "100 Clarendon" or some generic name like that. Everyone still calls it the Hancock Building

[@iteerrex8166]

All of these were mistakes.. very big mistakes, but that tiny building had an idiot for an architect.

[@maksphoto78]

The "Walkie-Talkie" building in London also burnt cars by reflecting sunlight.

[@muffinsmcgeez4899]

An architect is the only person who would leave shelves off a bookcase. + that 2nd building was fug, looks like a parking lot was converted into home for the criminally insane

[@OrdinaryDude]

As an addendum to the Vdara Death Ray, that construction project also included the Ogden Hotel. The building was constructed so poorly that it was deemed "unsafe for habitation" and had to be torn down, causing a flurry of lawsuits over who was to blame.

[@jameslmorehead]

The Tacoma Narrow's bridge was a learning experience in bridge engineering. While it was the aerodynamics of the lower cost girders which caused the problem, a standing resonating wave on a bridge caused by a constant wind was not known up to that point. The engineers did that best they could with the knowledge at the time.

[@marileesaturley5924]

I always find it interesting that when talking about the Tacoma Narrows Bridge no one mentions the insurance problem. One of the insurance companies never received the payment from the state, $800,000 in 1940, as the insurance agent pocketed the premiums.

[@prudencepineapple9448]

There's a building in NY that was constructed in the 1970s that was supported by just 3 columns. Quite by accident it was discovered that in strong winds coming from a particular direction could cause the entire building to collapse. Bracing work was carried out at night so the buildings occupants wouldn't know the true extent of the problems.

[@Yvolve]

The Citigroup Center and it was an engineering student who told the company, who then fixed it outside of office hours. Nobody had any idea it was that close to falling over.

[@sonicgoo1121]

As much as I like MVRDV, their artificial mound in London might have deserved a place as well.

[@TamagoHead]

Galloping girdy, the Tacoma narrows bridge, The big dig in Boston, and cheap tilling dams (more than one).

[@pakde8002]

The Cloud Skyscraper project must have made a big impression on the Korean people as the theme of forced evictions and "accidental" fires that destroy entire neighborhoods is a running theme in South Korean television series.

[@deboraarena5668]

How about a video on moving large structures like the Cape Hatteras lighthouse? Another idea, dam removals, like the Elwha or Klamath river and their habitat restoration.

[@Indyofthedead]

This might as will be a copy/paste video. Practically no one has ever talked about the Grand Teton Dam which cost billions in today's money to build and it broke open before it was even filled, causing billions more in damage to nearby cities.

[@Rattrap007]

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge was used in a stereo commercial. Loud blaring rock music plays over footage of the bridge swaying wildly. Hand turns off stereo and the bridge stops and is dead still. Guy looks at camera and apologizes.

[@malavoy1]

Simon, the Hancock tower was nicknamed 'Plywood Ranch' after a local lumber retail chain of the same name. Also, those weights are in a trough filled with oil so that they move opposite to the direction of the towers sway, which is what reduces the towers movement. All modern skyscrapers have some sort of anti-sway system in place. Fun fact, those two weights together way as much as fully loaded jet airplane.

[@MrLeo2A6]

"Cocktail shrimp the size of your head" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@alexppape]

I drove on the rebuilt Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and it’s pretty terrifying

[@trumanberlin3522]

I definitely didn't need that bit about the dog being in the car on the bridge.

[@sachaschwarzkopf5962]

Great topic, should do something with more recent structures.

[@StevenBanks123]

Hancock building:“Beautiful minimalist feel.” A box. Well, it is shiny. The Savoy. A box, some shelves, and sticks.

[@mauryhan]

When it comes to architecture, form should always follow function. The arrogance of building a structure purely along aesthetic lines has led to many wasted millions and much occupant dissatisfaction all for architect egos.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

Indeed, the mark of a really artistic architect will make, as part of their art, either well-blended utility functioning pieces or ones that stand out artistically.

[@rubiconnn]

Personally I think form should be thrown out. I'd rather be in a building that is comfortable and convenient that looks ugly outside rather than uncomfortable in a building that looks nice outside. My biggest gripe with architecture is the amount of wasted material and space. Any part of the building that isn't a wall, floor, ceiling or other functional part is wasted money.

[@jimurrata6785]

The "Geary effect".

[@Zz7722zZ]

@@rubiconnn be careful what you wish for. If function were the only consideration you would see Soviet era type cities that cast gloom over the every day lives of people.

[@daviddodds30]

Function changes over time, so sadly, without form, you’d have even more wasted materials as the buildings would be destroyed every few years. When’s the last time you’ve used a purpose-built milk delivery door? If you are like most Americans, you likely don’t even drink milk anymore. How about a telephone niche? Sleeping porch?

[@Bobrogers99]

As former resident of Boston during the Plywood Palace era, I was annoyed that the million-dollar architect knew less than students in a high school physical science class would have been able to figure out. As far as the Vdara Hotel is concerned, there have been several buildings that have made the very same mistake. Don't architects do any research at all before they hand over their grandiose plans?

[@larchman4327]

Villa savoy looks like a library or bank or something why would someone pay top dollar for that.

[@GAMakin]

Excellent point. Your observation is a RHETORICAL Question. It does not require a question mark... in case anyone asks. LOL 🖊️🖊️🖊️ Sincerely, Blue Pencil-Necked Geek

[@larchman4327]

@@GAMakin always hated English class just as long as I can get my point across. I still don't know what a semicolon is for or care.

[@burnsZY85]

What about that massive hotel built in n.korea, it was never finished costing a fortune plus i remember seeig it was built during a famine.

[@johnthomas2485]

LMAO. When I clicked on this, I was wondering if you were going to mention the Vegas Death Star lol. How can he leave out San Francisco's leaning skyscraper.

[@sloanemactire8780]

Same architect who designed the Vdara "Hey, let's build a parabolic mirror in the middle of the desert!" Hotel also designed the equally problematic 20 Fenchurch Street Tower "Walkie-Scorchie". Same guy built not one, but two parabolic mirrors with southernly exposures. As my family would say, "build an accidental death ray once, shame on you. Build an accidental death ray twice, shame on me."

[@keyholes]

I'm a little sad at how botched the last project in Seoul was. That concept for a building looks really cool, but making it two distinct towers instead of one and where the "cloud" was placed really did make it look deliberate. I'd love to see that reworked... without the gentrification and forced homelessness.

[@comput3rman77]

The whole Seoul situation with the land evictions of the existing residents reminded me so much of a case that happened here in Connecticut a few years before. That was where the city of New London used eminent domain to take peoples homes and give the property to a private developer that wanted to build luxury apartments. The law suits went all the way to the Supreme Court who ruled that the city could take the property because of the added benefits for the public from the development $$$. The developer and city won, the property seized, and the homes demolished. After all of that, the developer couldn't get all the necessary funding and walked away leaving empty lots where peoples lives once were. You can read a brief summary about it here on Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelo_v._City_of_New_London.

[@keyholes]

@@comput3rman77 Good god that's appalling.

[@maxpayne2574]

Oh sure the architect said I want to build a structure that reminds everyone of a terrorist attack and buildings collapsing FFS

[@QBCPerdition]

I thought so too, but maybe instead of a claof, they could redesign it with an egg shape or something less "explosiony" looking. The idea of two towers with some weird shape connecting them at height is neat to me.

[@trishapellis]

What strikes me as weird is, I am Belgian (meaning, another tiny country just to the south of the Netherlands, so with about the same cultural exposure to 9/11) and upon seeing the picture in the thumbnail of this video, my first thought was "There's no way they actually built two tall towers looking like they're exploding in the middle section, that's way too on the nose". In other words, out of all the people in that Dutch firm who saw that picture, it's hard for me to believe nobody saw the connection. But I'm a millennial, so maybe those were just older people who didn't grow up with the idea of 9/11...?

[@oteris2924]

Oh man I can't wait for the video about the Leaning Tower of San Fransisco is about 10 years.

[@Robert-lg2bl]

Awesome video!!

[@Inaroshi]

Hmm...Tacoma Narrows wasn't so much about the cheapness of materials and more about the thickness of the deck spans, which is kind of material cheapness in a way but not *really*. Also, fun fact, they attempted to save it using dampeners on either side, but this actually caused the final collapse when the dampeners on one side failed while the other held, leading to a hugely disproportionate force

[@2011blueman]

Once the millennium tower falls down in SF you'll have to redo your list.

[@BigGahmBoss]

The Hancock tower has been in the Boston skyline my whole life. I can see it from the window at work right now. I had no idea it was such a disaster before I was born

[@charlotteowens4644]

We in Las Vegas have another death ray at Mandela Bay. It is the golden death Ray for traffic on the strip. Also a casino on the strip construction was stopped at 30 stories due to not putting the proper amount of rebar in the support pillers.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Mandela Bay? I take it it’s named after South African statesman Nelson Mandela? Cool. 🇿🇦

[@jimurrata6785]

It's Mandalay Bay....

[@charlotteowens4644]

Sorry miss typed

[@jimurrata6785]

@@charlotteowens4644 No need to apologize. I assumed it was autocorrect. I was just trying to tell the South African that the hotel in LV was definitely _not_ named after Nelson Mandela.

[@AtheistOrphan]

@@jimurrata6785 - I’m not South African, I’m from the mother country 🇬🇧. I just found the idea of naming the hotel after him oddly appealing. 😀

[@John_Fugazzi]

Le Corbusier seems to have been ridiculously vain and self important. He should have been a low level bureaucrat.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

The Korean structure in the middle -the blue one- looks like the rings around the column of a nuclear explosion mushroom cloud without the clouds on top! 😱

[@TheScrubExpress]

0:46 oooh wee the Plywood Palace made the list

[@gristlybillow7050]

speaking from a scottish perspective, Hadrian's wall was a failure 😉

[@kenbrown2808]

my understanding it the locals found it a very useful stockpile of building material.

[@gristlybillow7050]

@@kenbrown2808 valid

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

Don't forget about things like that wooden amphitheater that Rome built; only to collapse one its first day of operation, the failed hotel in North Korea, Cocoanut Grove deathtrap, Surfside Condo, Ronan Point, Sampoong Department Store, and old Tay Bridge.

[@BA-gn3qb]

Add on the Leaning Tower of San Francisco. The Millennium Tower Leaning over 26 inches and 3 more each year.

[@jasonarthurs3885]

Not too mention the counterfeit Calder seen at the base of the Cloud Towers.

[@AnthonyCSN]

I understand those buildings are in the video, but for the thumbnail it’s a bit insensitive for what it implies.

[@MrJjones543]

All hail tubby. He gave his life so that others may live. A true hero!

[@DNeed77]

There’s also the Millennium tower, in San Francisco, which is STILL sinking and leaning!

[@MindBodySoulOk]

Fascinating egg skull

[@gravesclayton3604]

5 is a rather short list, honestly. I'd wager nearly 90 of building structural failures have been on account of being built to an "architect's" specifications rather than those of a structural engineer.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:45 - Chapter 1 - John hancock tower 3:20 - Chapter 2 - Vdara hotel and spa 5:10 - Chapter 3 - Tacoma narrows bridge 7:30 - Chapter 4 - Villa savoye 9:55 - Chapter 5 - Cloud skyscraper

[@robotaholic]

I've walked through that pool area and remember the glare - ha! At the time it wasn't as odd as it seemed on this list

[@sandhilltucker]

Can we get one on highest energy producing projects? Like plants, arrays and dams?

[@ferociousgumby]

Hey, guys. Did you know Simon has ANOTHER NEW CHANNEL?? It's true. Downright scary.

[@colormedubious4747]

It should be no surprise whatsoever that the house Corbu designed was an unmitigated disaster, as his efforts at urban planning were also unmitigated disasters, inflicting massive scars and open, festering wounds upon many of the world's great cities. Superblocks that crushed a city's functional fabric and massive, brutalist structures where poor people were stacked like firewood in the midst of employment deserts were his trademark and many cities in America have still not fully recovered from his pernicious influence. Screw him and his legacy.

[@Demmrir]

In fairness, the best/most efficient buildings for resident are those 5-over-1 apartments with retail on the first floor with cladding panel siding. They are extremely cheap to build, safe, durable, and provide good foot traffic access for residents and anyone around them. But architects despise them because they're common and boring, and even normal people consider them samey eyesores ruining cities across the country. But the market trends to whatever is the cheapest and most practical, and mid-rises are it.

[@colormedubious4747]

@@Demmrir I've seen dozens of residential-above-retail low-rise buildings throughout the United States, in older areas of large cities, in brownfield redevelopments, and in greenfield New Urban neighborhoods. Most were designed to fit the local vernacular and NONE of them were common, boring, cheap, or "samey." For contemporary examples, check out Orenco Station in Hillsboro OR, Stapleton and Lowry in Denver CO, and Baldwin Park and Avalon Park in Orlando FL.

[@albertlira7443]

Adding onto design of the Vdara you should do a video on The Harmon, a sister hotel to the Vdara that never opened because of poor engineering that i believe it had inadequate room between floors or something to that tune that served as a massive billboard until it was dismantled.

[@DarkZodiacZZ]

Have we done one about projects with highest cost in human lives yet?

[@Russo-Delenda-Est]

I second this idea 👍 (spoiler... it's the pyramids, at least I assume.)

[@bautistagimenezcorti404]

I'd guess the Panama Canal would rank high. Lots of malaria deaths

[@katiekorell9776]

Hey Simon, check out the Palm Islands in Dubai (that is currently falling back into the sea).

[@josephpercente8377]

Architecture rule #1 form follows function!

[@pikeman80]

There was a high rise in Vancouver that had a fire because the windows in the apartments acted like a magnifying glass.

[@rogerwilco1777]

What kind of asshole leaves their dog in the car? RIP Tubby

[@kilroy1964]

Yup. I immediately saw "9.11" in the last one. Way before you said it.

[@SA12String]

I've been in a few skyscrapers that sway more than is comfortable. It's incredibly disconcerting. I've taken to avoiding high rises because I have zero faith in mankind and I've had enough arguments with engineers who don't actually know what they're talking about to make it clear that trusting people to safely build tall buildings is a fool's game.

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

I was expecting to see Galloping Gertie featured. I think of that every time I drive over her replacements.

[@Mike-yr2jo]

The Dan Gilbert skyscraper in Detroit. Currently going on.

[@jimurrata6785]

A magnifying glass is a lens. This hotel (and the London walkie talkie) are parabolic mirrors.

[@CatDad01]

SCE&G (now dominion energy) wasted billions on 2 new nuclear reactors at the V.C Summer nuclear plant... The customers had to float the bill for something that never came to fruition.. just throwing out ideas lol

[@Vincent-2057]

OOOOOOh, I've built Villa Savoye in minecraft. I saw it when i was in legoland with the kids in the gift shop. you could buy it as a kit ofc.

[@ronaldguild3627]

That modern home was hideous.

[@ShiftingDrifter]

These may be the most expensive flops, but the The Aon Center and the Ronan Point Apartment Building that killed four people were clearly major architectural failures.

[@dejapoo5508]

That Korean tower looks like the result of two 3 year olds fighting over some Lego 😂

[@TheGrinningViking]

I can dispute the Villa Savoye is important in any way other than a caution as to hubris and what not to do. It should absolutely be ruble underneath a proper brutalist structure.

[@Russo-Delenda-Est]

I'd take a pre-poured concrete Soviet era apartment block over that shit any day. 🤣😁😅 ugly, leaky little pile of wasted money.

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

Brutalist buildings should all be rubble. We need to go back to neo classical architecture.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

please add the Newhouse school of Communication at Syracuse University.

[@DAdamTrammell]

20 Fenchurch st. in London MELTED CARS!

[@InsanePirateDragon]

I was expecting to see the Hyatt regency Skywalk on this list.

[@JoshSweetvale]

All those tryptophobic cubist tumours in the thumbnail are the greatest image of hubris I've seen that doesn't depict flesh people.

[@benheisen2135]

IF 3.5 billion is thumbnail worthy, I suggest looking into the Red River Diversion Project.

[@jamesatkin9412]

What about the Tay Bridge disaster? That was surely worse than a leaky roof.

[@robfenwitch7403]

"Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv’ry Tay! Alas! I am very sorry to say That ninety lives have been taken away On the last Sabbath day of 1879, Which will be remember’d for a very long time."

[@kyle782]

How did the Sampoong Department Store collapse of 1995 not make the list?

[@pegasusted2504]

I think that villa savoy looks more like a crap short multi-storey car park than any sort of artistic architectural masterpiece. 27 billion is astronomical? tell that to the 700 odd billion the us spends annually on its military budget lol.

[@maxpayne2574]

Yup more than the next ten nations combined. Then in the ultimate insult we send people into combat without proper equipment.

[@ferociousgumby]

Those twin towers look like a Lego version of 9-11.

[@silvenshadow]

Simon is one of the preeminent presenters of the modern age, a joy to see him make even the most esoteric of information accessible and interesting. Cheers to the whole team that makes these videos a reality.

[@juliem6401]

The Villa Savoye looks like a water treatment plant.

[@LJMpictures]

That last one is just fucking dumb. "I'M AN AMERICAN AND I FIND 2 BUILDINGS NEAR EACH OTHER OFFENSE!! HURRR!"

[@GCCG76]

Aren’t the 2001 WTC a must on this list? Towers 1 to 7 appear to fit this heading!

[@alexander-mauricemillamlae4567]

if the Walkie Talkie doesnt show up ill be sad 6:37 also, sadly? What happened to the Whistler we know? WHERE IS THE DOG GENOCIDE?!