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Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:46 pm
by gap74
Just been flicking through the website, and its various nominations for Plook on a Plinth (most dismal town), Pock Mark (worst planning decision) and Zit (most disappointing building) awards.

Quite a few nods for Glasgow - particularly developments around the river, although it's Coatbridge who seem to be most upset by their inclusion.

Was just wondering, what do folks on here think about the awards in general, a bunch of snobs laughing at where poor people live, or a genuine effort to embarrass local authorities into doing something about their most neglected areas?

My favourite comment on the website regards the new BBC building:

"A box of delights? Or just a big box of shit?"

http://www.thecarbuncles.co.uk/

And what do folks here think should be up for the gongs?

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 3:33 pm
by Osiris
I think the Carbuncle Awards and schemes like it raise awareness of just how neglective we can be of our built environment. I don't just think its all about snobs having a laugh at the disadvantaged, its meant to be taken with a pinch of salt however there is a serious side to it too.

I think Glasgow has got off lightly in the past as there are a lot of Carbuncles in need of attention (I nominated the Gallowgate area on the website!)

Its true though that Coatbridge is long overdue a Carbuncle and its councillors are just in denial about the real state of the place.

J

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:03 pm
by Sydney Rosewater
Osiris wrote: (I nominated the Gallowgate area on the website!)


What part?

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:15 pm
by Osiris
What part?

All of the Gallowgate area but specifically the area around the cross.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:50 pm
by gallowgategal
Osiris wrote:I think Glasgow has got off lightly in the past as there are a lot of Carbuncles in need of attention (I nominated the Gallowgate area on the website!)


Osiris wrote:
What part?

All of the Gallowgate area but specifically the area around the cross.



Oi ! Nowt wrong with the Gallowgate. :evil: :evil:

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:32 pm
by HollowHorn
I love the Gallagate & the near east, it's the real deal, it's an adventure playground for anyone interested in the history of Glasgow, I could prolly name at least 50 sites of interest in that small area.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:51 pm
by crusty_bint
Totally agree HH! And I think there's far more deserving carbuncles in oor ane wee toun.

\having said that, seeing heart breaking images like this is enough to make you want to call Bob Geldof :cry:

Gallowgate looking east toward Glasgow Cross, c.1875
Image

* Dr K - could you oblige us with a present shot for comparison?

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:47 pm
by Alan L
As someone who grew up in Coatbridge, I reckon the town's well overdue this award.

As a whole, Coatbridge has improved beyond recongition over the last 15-20 years, but the town centre remains an eyesore. It's a thorougly depressing place. The council will point to the new paving and lighting that they've put in place as evidence of "regeneration", but that's merely window dressing IMO. For all that, Motherwell town centre is ten times worse, yet I can't remember it ever being nominated.

Glasgow certainly isn't short of contenders for both awards either. The area around Charing Cross station is a personal favourite of mine, though this should improve with the various high rise developments planned for the area.

In terms recently completed buildings, the Etap Hotel at Lancefield Quay is the runaway winner for me. A multi-storey car park with some hotel rooms whacked on top? Lovely.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:17 pm
by Socceroo
Alan L wrote:In terms recently completed buildings, the Etap Hotel at Lancefield Quay is the runaway winner for me. A multi-storey car park with some hotel rooms whacked on top? Lovely.


The Etap Hotel is at Springfield Quay, it is horrendous i was down there last week. Glasgow City Council Planning ought to be shot. The whole Quay area down there is becoming a real mish mash of bad corporate architecture with seemingly little Planning controls. The new Casino is a real Car crash of a building planted right on the River.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:08 pm
by viceroy
Actually I find the new Casino quite attractive, particularly when viewed from the other side of the river, but I agree that the rest of the Springfield Quay development, including the Etap Hotel, is pretty monstrous. Basically it's just a huge car park with a handful of cheaply constructed gimcrack buildings dotted around its edges.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:23 pm
by Sunflower
The BBC!

It doesn't matter if it turns out to be fantastically effective inside, it's sterilised the riverfront there. Springfield Quay is horrible, but it isn't making any claims to be quality architecture. And those sheds have probably got a design life of - erm - not very much.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:51 pm
by Alan L
Socceroo wrote:The Etap Hotel is at Springfield Quay, it is horrendous i was down there last week. Glasgow City Council Planning ought to be shot. The whole Quay area down there is becoming a real mish mash of bad corporate architecture with seemingly little Planning controls. The new Casino is a real Car crash of a building planted right on the River.


Oops. Does a "Lancefield Quay" even exist? I have my doubts. ::):

The area is indeed a bit of a mess. From Paisley Road Toll right along to Eglinton St resembles something I'd have created in Sim City many years back.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:39 pm
by AlanM
Lancefield Quay is on the opposite bank Alan.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:55 pm
by My Kitten
Coatbridge town centre in North Lanarkshire is Scotland's most dismal place according to the Carbuncle awards.


North Lanarkshire Council and their handling of urban areas wins again!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7110857.stm

and from http://www.thecarbuncles.co.uk/

The final votes have been counted for the Carbuncle Awards 2008 and Coatbridge Town Centre has been awarded the less-than-coveted title of 'Plook on the Plinth' for Scotland's Most Dismal Place. It was a close-run race between Coabridge, Glasgow's Springfield Quay and two-time Carbuncle winner Cumbernauld.

Also on the winners' list is the new Casino at Glasgow's Springfield Quay which takes the 'Zit Award' for Worst Building and Silverburn Shopping Centre in Pollok which takes the 'Pock Mark Award' for Worst Planning Decision.

The Plook award will prove controversial as local politicians and press have spoken out against the North Lanarkshire town's nomination for Most Dismal Place in Scotland, accusing the organisers of “snobbery”.

Members of the public put forward their nominations for each category during November, from which a panel of judges drew up a shortlist. The final winners have been selected by a public vote.

“Coatbridge could be a great place, it has a proud history and plenty ofpeople living close to its centre. However, poor planning decisions and uninspiring urban design and architecture has destroyed the character of the place. North Lanarkshire Council has made a policy commitment to improve the quality of the built environment. The design of the proposed development on Coatbridge's main street will be a good measure of the council's ambition,” said Prospect editor Penny Lewis.

Re: Carbuncle Awards 2008

PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:04 am
by AlanM
Don't think I'd agree with Silverburn being the worst planning decision - that distinction should have gone to the flats replacing the Plaza and alowing the demolition to go ahead before approving the replacement :roll: