London's Lincoln Plaza deemed Britain's worst new building in Carbuncle Cup 2016

As many architecture awards out there recognize the year's best new buildings, there are also plenty of awards that give a shoutout to the not-so-successful ones. Recently, the Lincoln Plaza in London won BD Magazine's Carbuncle Cup 2016 for Britain's worst new building, which is meant to be the opposite of RIBA's Stirling Prize for best new building. Unsurprisingly, the Carbuncle Cup has caused controversy in Europe for the way it singles out architecture firms and shames them.

Designed by BUJ Architects as a shiny new landmark, the Lincoln Plaza's dizzying melange of materials and patterns caught the judging panel's attention, and the luxury housing complex scooped the winning title over five other shortlisters.

Competition judge Julian Robinson, the London School of Economics' Director of Estates, commented that Lincoln Plaza might have gotten some inspiration from the Rem Koolhaas-designed Rothschild London HQ, except that it “lacks poise, foundation or clarity of vision”. Fellow judge and BD editor Thomas Lane added that Lincoln Plaza “is the worst building amongst a swathe of mediocrity. South Quay is rapidly turning into London’s Carbuncle Cluster.”

You can read more about the competition results on BDOnline.

Do you agree with the jury's choice? What are your thoughts on awards like the Carbuncle Cup? Share in the comments section below.