Ugly Canada 2 (Only architecture, planning and design faux pas)

[Pavlov]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Agreed - what a view! I had no idea there were elevation changes like that in Calgary - reminds of the houses on the escarpment in Hamilton.

algary, Alberta, is uniquely positioned in the transition zone between the rolling Canadian Prairies to the east and the rugged foothills of the Canadian Rockies to the west, creating a landscape of undulating hills, plateau-like uplands, and deep river valleys. The Bow and Elbow Rivers carve prominent bluffs and floodplains, adding dramatic relief to the surrounding high plains. Elevation varies widely, from roughly 975 m (3,200 ft) in the eastern river valleys to over 1,290 m (4,232 ft) at western peaks and natural high points like Nose Hill Park. This significant vertical variation, combined with steep escarpments and rolling uplands, gives Calgary a terrain distinctly more complex than the flatter prairie regions, shaping both its visual character and its mountain-influenced climate.

SOURCE: https://en-au.topographic-map.com/map-zlhptj/Calgary/

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Agreed - what a view! I had no idea there were elevation changes like that in Calgary - reminds of the houses on the escarpment in Hamilton.

Calgary sits in a river valley in a transition zone to the foothills. The elevation difference from when I used to live in the SW to where I live in the SE is easily a few hundred feet. It's so different in fact that I find I get less migraines and there is even a climatic difference. Also, Nose Hill splits the North of city and descends into the Bow river Valley in quite dramatic fashion. The NE by the airport is the flattest section of the city.

Even the skyline appears at different levels when you approach from the north vs the south. The Bow tower looks even stubbier from the north since the escarpment cuts it off from that angle.

Here are a few streetview vantage points to illustrate the altitude changes for you:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Fun story: One time I was driving with my family on the ring road going from Calaway Park NW of the city past COP and down to the far SE. The elevation changes popped our ears and gave my wife a plugged ear for a week.

[J.OT13]

Ottawa's new ugliest rising. Third tower will come next.

Hoggytime on Skyrise.


https://ottawa.skyrisecities.com/forum/t...8-32s-main-main-equiton-rla.37265/page-6

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Bloor-Dundas Square has been featured a lot on these hallowed pages. Deservedly so. With each ascending layer, it gets uglier.
St. Clair Place is another ugly festering pile of dog shit. Made worse by the garish Dollarama signage.

But man, that thing in Winnipeg. I don't think one could make a house so ugly even on purpose. The devil's hands must be at work here.



Hospimansion? Manschool?

Is it a shitty clinic? An ER entrance? A Nunavut school? A Mansion? A Montana's Cookhouse?
All of the above?

It's not just a McMansion, it's a McTHING!

Reminds me a bit of this Junior High where I used to have to travel to do shop class since mine didn't have a work shop area.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Overall it has the design cohesiveness of this Winnebago THING I saw years ago on the streets of DT Calgary:



For all its ugliness, it still lacks the panache of the Roman Sentry, Elvis Gratton house in Brossard:

Time to bring out the John Baird thing.

Which one?

Ches' BowlofAnuses Baird:


Or classico?

[MolsonExport]

^love those mockups.

somewhere, behind someone's monitor, I can hear that someone excusing Elongated Arm Extension Muskrat with the Bonnehomme de Neige pose.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

^love those mockups.

somewhere, behind someone's monitor, I can hear that someone excusing Elongated Arm Extension Muskrat with the Bonnehomme de Neige pose.

‘Roman salute’ for the Roman Sentry house. 😆

[O-tacular]

Saw a stack of these yesterday at Superstore and all I could think was who wants this?



Then I came across this old photoshop I forgot making and it all made sense:

[O-tacular]

Found some contenders for ugliest SFH to challenge the Winnipeg Cultnasium.

Not sure if this one is still around, and sadly never saw it in person, but this THING existed south of Calgary:



I've seen this bunker in person and it's a newer build. Sandwiched in a weird pie shaped lot with no backyard:



And here's a Frankenbarn industrial building THING:



Streetview from 2024: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[MolsonExport]

What the hell is going on here? Kill it with fire!!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

What the hell is going on here? Kill it with fire!!

It does look like it would catch well.

Also, I'm sure the Chrysler logo wasn't deliberate but...

[biguc]

It's the rusted-out-Town-and-Country-with-an-aftermarket-pop-up-bed-that's-stuck-popped-up-plus-they-hit-a-dog-and-it's-stuck-in-the-grill-and-oh-god-it's-still-alive-Bill-do-something house.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

What the hell is going on here? Kill it with fire!!

Definitely before the spores are released.

[niwell]

Not nearly as large but I saw a couple weird dome houses in extremely rural unincorporated parts of Northern Ontario while we were up there for work. Locals we talked to usually had a comment along the lines of "some crazy guy we never see lives there and built it himself".

[O-tacular]

Here's an interesting geodesic home turned airbnb in Calgary:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D





https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/912542310937602061?source_impression_id=p3_1772058675_P3b-HoKV6-jIz_O8

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by niwell

Not nearly as large but I saw a couple weird dome houses in extremely rural unincorporated parts of Northern Ontario while we were up there for work. Locals we talked to usually had a comment along the lines of "some crazy guy we never see lives there and built it himself".

Did they have kits or something in the 60's/70's? Seems like a lot of places have these weird homes. Many featured in Ugliest House in America.

[O-tacular]

Was checking a semi forgotten photo archive and came across some old and rarely posted Clockzilla and pals photoshops.

Been a meh day so thought I'd share them.





Calgary battle before Colonel Kentucky Bucket and the shack attack goaded on by lio Schrute:



The original mansard face:



Clockzilla needs a toothpick.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Here's an interesting geodesic home turned airbnb in Calgary:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Calgar..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D





https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/912542310937602061?source_impression_id=p3_1772058675_P3b-HoKV6-jIz_O8

Wait, why does that kind of rock?

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Was checking a semi forgotten photo archive and came across some old and rarely posted Clockzilla and pals photoshops.

Been a meh day so thought I'd share them.





Calgary battle before Colonel Kentucky Bucket and the shack attack goaded on by lio Schrute:



The original mansard face:



Clockzilla needs a toothpick.

I almost spat my drink out at these.

[TorontoDrew]

I feel bad posting this; you need to experience it in person to see it through romantic eyes. I think it's awesome and more obscure than ugly. The owner built a "castle" onto the side of his Victorian Farmhouse near Burks Falls, Ontario. If you've visited the property, you probably love this place.

Midlothian Castle by Sean Marshall, on Flickr

Midlothian Castle by Sean Marshall, on Flickr

Ontario Burk's Falls Midlothian Castle fantastic art by edk7, on Flickr

Burk's Falls Ontario - Midlothian Castle fantastic art farm. by edk7, on Flickr

_DSC4731Cvnx2 Q50 640max by edk7, on Flickr

_DSC4741Cvnx2 Q50 640max by edk7, on Flickr

_DSC4732Cvnx2 Q50 640max by edk7, on Flickr

Burk's Falls Ontario - Midlothian Castle fantastic art farm. by edk7, on Flickr

[Architype]

^^ It's got Easter Island meets Edvard Munch vibes.