No, I’m not referring to my profile picture – it’s Melbourne’s own Federation Square, which has been named the 5th ugliest building in the world, putting it above even the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea and the Arndale Centre in Croydon. Here’s what they had to say:
Billed as “Melbourne’s Meeting Place,” we’re guessing that this is where city residents meet…to go somewhere else. Frenzied and overly complicated, the chaotic feel of the complex is made worse by a web of unsightly wires from which overhead lights dangle.
Ouch.
It’s probably a bit of a controversial thing to say, at least here in Melbourne. Plenty of people I know here in town, mostly the cultured, progressive, inner-city types (who usually wouldn’t be caught dead reading this blog) think it’s pretty fantastic.
I’m not one of them.
I went overseas about the time they were knocking down the old Gas and Fuel buildings and returned some years later to find the thing built and people using it, apparently happily. I confess my first thought was “when are they going to finish it?”.
It might be cool, or funky or whatever (I’m no judge of these things), but it’s no Sydney Opera House. It’s inelegant and clumpy and manages to be both jarring and drab at the same time. Also, it’s not at all easy to use or navigate. The tiles in the courtyard bit seem designed specifically to make life difficult for people on wheelchairs (or probably any kind of wheels).
A few weeks ago I took the kids to an exhibition at ACMI. The exhibition itself was kinda fun, but finding the blasted thing was unnecessarily difficult: you had to know which entrance to use, which lift to use and how the cryptic hieroglyphics on the lift display worked and avoid using the wrong door.
I have a joke I always use when I’m there. The view from the steps at Fed Square looking towards Flinders Street station is the best view in town – solely because you can be sure you won’t be able to see Fed Square.
Incidentally, while we’re talking about the Arndale Centre in Croydon (you weren’t, but I mentioned it above – pay attention!), whenever we go there I have this conversation with my 3 year-old.
3YO – who put that big clock up there? (points to the roof)
JH – I have no idea, probably the architect
3YO – It looks broken. Is it broken?
JH – Well, it’s certainly not telling the right time.
3YO – Did a dinosaur put it up there?
JH – Very possibly. That might be why it’s so big and ugly.
3YO – That’s silly.
JH – Quite.
Running
My pointless little 5km run this morning. It was a beautiful cool, crisp morning – perfect for running. I was sorely tempted to keep on going for another 10km and bugger the knee but reason or laziness restrained me.
Recent Comments