The Ugly Canada Thread - Page 101

O-tacular · #**2001** Posted **Jun 3, 2015, 4:33 PM**

Calgary's SE is the fastest growing part of the city. It's basically all prairie on that side and the only thing hemming it in is the river farther south. I happen to live by the new hospital in a nice area. What's interesting though is that the city has grown well past what used to be its boundaries and is now growing around landfill and sewage settling ponds.

This area of 52nd St. Is actually a major artery north and south of this area between the Shepard landfill and the former settling ponds. My office is north of the ponds and I can tell you it reeks when the wind blows just right. Funny enough they are in the process of moving them over to the other side of 52nd as so many residents of nearby communities and businesses have complained about the foul odour. What makes this funny is that it is being moved just north of 2 new communities that already reside next to a landfill (Copperfield and New Brighton). Hence my nicknames for them Crapperfield and Poo Brighton.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.9433744,-113.9599685,3543m/data=!3m1!1e3

Here is a streetview of the monotonous and often smelly drive. I have seen some poor saps walking this long desolate stretch or occasionally biking. It's bad enough smelling it in the car ride, I can't imagine a 20 minute walk through this wasteland.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.937528,-1...3m4!1e1!3m2!1sQQzn37e2wsHUk76DoNbgcw!2e0

This is the area the settling ponds are being moved to just across 52nd. Quite aptly there is an old, possibly historical outhouse sitting there. I'm not sure what it's fate will be. (zoom in to see)

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.950554,-1...3m4!1e1!3m2!1sI-jPaEb3DqbmtKyBtbJUFw!2e0

Here is the equally poopy beige vinyl clad architecture of New Brighton to the south.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.925219,-1...3m4!1e1!3m2!1snKk6o2qK1lRcPg1qqXJ2FA!2e0

esquire · #**2002** Posted **Jun 3, 2015, 4:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

This isn't so much an ugly building as it is a strange context. I actually find this building unique and quite nice looking. It's just utterly bizarre that it resides in a barren industrial park.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.004414,-1...3m4!1e1!3m2!1srFNSk_8VGSxGVPEeKtCnYA!2e0

Yeah, things like this can be a bit jarring. It's like seeing an ornate Hindu temple in a middle-of-nowhere semi-rural area because land was cheap there.

O-tacular · #**2003** Posted **Jun 3, 2015, 4:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Yeah, things like this can be a bit jarring. It's like seeing an ornate Hindu temple in a middle-of-nowhere semi-rural area because land was cheap there.

There's lots of that around Calgary as well. Hindu, or Sikh temples built on acreages that are slowly being absorbed around the city. There's even this cartoonish Mosque in the middle of an industrial park. It's actually improved since the last time I saw it where it had canary yellow strucco with orange accents.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.012359,-1...3m2!1smSgCZgS28K2Vg-MSMb-78w!2e0!6m1!1e1

https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.011503,-1...3m2!1sPUwKvlG7qY-lYMbSEqwzjg!2e0!6m1!1e1

HomeInMyShoes · #**2004** Posted **Jun 3, 2015, 5:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

The reference to grain elevators in the FCC building is so vague that frankly I'm not convinced it even exists. That's as opposed to The Rooms which is an unmistakably blown up version of outport buildings.

The grain elevator equivalent would be taking something like this and blowing it up x 50

Look at the the diagram for FCC and the reference is a little more legible. It's a hard building to get a good picture of. I browsed through mine and couldn't find one.

The less side-angle view that Stormer gave us here depicts the form a little better.

I like that suburban office park building too. It's form is beautiful.

SkahHigh · #**2005** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 2:07 AM**

I believe it might be following me...

eemy · #**2006** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 2:28 AM**

I was reminded of what surely must take the trophy for ugliness in Canada today. Fortunately, I rarely drive on this section of the 401 and don't have to have the awfulness seared in my mind; unfortunately, it is probably the most notable feature driving through Waterloo Region on the highway.

(courtesy of haljackey on wikipedia)

It's embarrassing enough that is was ever built, but what makes it even more painful is that the retina-blistering architectural flourishes were actually added in order to create a positive, beautiful gateway feature for the region. Witness the pride in constructing such a magnificent emblem for the city:

Quote:

The 101.5 m wide bridge features a spectacular enclosed arched canopy that was designed in consultation with the community, as well as local professionals. A team of experts in the fields of architecture, art, engineering and landscaping were assembled to ensure a safe, sound, and visually appealing structure.

MolsonExport · #**2007** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 2:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkahHigh

I believe it might be following me...

That is it. You completely summarized the main issue with that building. It is your overlord. It will get you.

O-tacular · #**2008** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 2:44 AM**

Yes the Clocktower is almost worse from afar. It's only from a distance that its' true form can be fully appreciated.

Reminds me of this painting by Wayne Barlowe of Hell's sentinel towers.

O-tacular · #**2009** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 2:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

I was reminded of what surely must take the trophy for ugliness in Canada today. Fortunately, I rarely drive on this section of the 401 and don't have to have the awfulness seared in my mind; unfortunately, it is probably the most notable feature driving through Waterloo Region on the highway.

(courtesy of haljackey on wikipedia)

It's embarrassing enough that is was ever built, but what makes it even more painful is that the retina-blistering architectural flourishes were actually added in order to create a positive, beautiful gateway feature for the region. Witness the pride in constructing such a magnificent emblem for the city:

I have a feeling this must be one of those uglies that can only be appreciated in person because tbh it looks kind of interesting in this picture.

kwoldtimer · #**2010** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 12:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I have a feeling this must be one of those uglies that can only be appreciated in person because tbh it looks kind of interesting in this picture.

I don't find it ugly and I've driven under it a number of times.

The_Architect · #**2011** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 2:36 PM**

Ditto, I've been past it (and used it) many times and don't find it ugly at all.

bolognium · #**2012** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 7:36 PM**

I biked over that bridge daily for damn near three years. Thought it was an incredibly useful link for cyclists. Can't say I ever found it particularly ugly either.

Plus I'd imagine it gets all kinds of pedestrian use with the new Conestoga campus across the 401 in Cambridge.

eemy · #**2013** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 8:21 PM**

I agree that it's useful. I'm a bit flabbergasted that others find redeeming qualities in the design, though. I find the most jarring thing is superimposing arches on what is a basic precast concrete beam bridge. Secondly, it looks like they took basic chain link fence material (I know it's not, but that's what it appears like to me) and tried to build something nice out of it.

hipster duck · #**2014** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

I agree that it's useful. I'm a bit flabbergasted that others find redeeming qualities in the design, though. I find the most jarring thing is superimposing arches on what is a basic precast concrete beam bridge. Secondly, it looks like they took basic chain link fence material (I know it's not, but that's what it appears like to me) and tried to build something nice out of it.

I don't know if it's an MTO rule, but I think that most, if not all, pedestrian bridges over major highways and rail lines are caged in. This might have been a way to meet an existing rule with some design whimsy.

O-tacular · #**2015** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hipster duck

I don't know if it's an MTO rule, but I think that most, if not all, pedestrian bridges over major highways and rail lines are caged in. This might have been a way to meet an existing rule with some design whimsy.

Edmonton is filled with those! In fact besides ugly stripmalls everywhere and Venetian inspired architecture that is one of the things I find ugliest about that city. They're all rusted too. Rust and concrete. Here's the only example I can think of near Calgary crossing the QE2 hwy in Airdrie just north of us. It looks like one of those Hamster tubes. Not once have I seen a pedestrian use it. Maybe the chain enclosure is to prevent Airdronians from committing mass suicide. Lord knows if I lived there I'd want to.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.282151,-1...3m2!1sIEf7bceXRo4zug0kN9Bu3g!2e0!6m1!1e1

O-tacular · #**2016** Posted **Jun 4, 2015, 10:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

I agree that it's useful. I'm a bit flabbergasted that others find redeeming qualities in the design, though. I find the most jarring thing is superimposing arches on what is a basic precast concrete beam bridge. Secondly, it looks like they took basic chain link fence material (I know it's not, but that's what it appears like to me) and tried to build something nice out of it.

Honestly having never seen it in person it looks cool. The lines give it an almost fluid feel. It's clearly adornment for adornment's sake but not the worst I've ever seen. At least it's not some tacked on afterthought like some of the overpass 'art' we have in our city. Check the top right corner.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.948995,-1...3m2!1stYi88EXY7_sFfu8f-aAkcA!2e0!6m1!1e1

matthew6 · #**2017** Posted **Jun 5, 2015, 6:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Honestly having never seen it in person it looks cool. The lines give it an almost fluid feel. It's clearly adornment for adornment's sake but not the worst I've ever seen. At least it's not some tacked on afterthought like some of the overpass 'art' we have in our city. Check the top right corner.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.948995,-1...3m2!1stYi88EXY7_sFfu8f-aAkcA!2e0!6m1!1e1

What I found more interesting from this link was this thing hiding on the bottom....

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.952816,-1...3m4!1e1!3m2!1sD9WHKJPSiRfgWc8nSKqf4g!2e0