Popular Post chrisp65 Posted June 17, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 17, 2014 The infrastructure and architecture in the UK compared to other countries is abysmal. Why cant we have big modern skyscraper buildings here like those in shanghai, toronto, even bangkok. Why cant we have efficient, modern sky trains like those in asia. Why cant we have beautiful architecture like in spain and italy? The UK is miles behind countries in terms of this compared to countries that are supposedly poorer economically then us. The ugliness of our towns and cities is depressing. The amount of artistry and love in a country and in a building can usually be measured against the going rate for that material and craft. If you have one country where immigrants will work stone with their hands and that stone is native to the area then that is a cheap commodity and you use it. Typically, around the med, you'll get Algerian and Moroccan craftsmen to work for pennies and make incredible things out of the local stones and you'll be able to lay stone floors. I've been involved in building projects overseas where the whole building was marble floors. Five storeys of marble floors with marble stairs. Marble in the staff toilets and marble in the bin store. To show the Directors were Directors and worth a bit more we went for the more expensive finishes for them - we imported some carpet tiles. In the UK a stonemason is going to cost you £16 / £17k a year for a pretty basic level of expertise. Somebody with flair and an eye for artistry will cost you double. He'll also need some scaffolding and fencing and skips and a mate or apprentice and spend 2 days a week filling in health and safety returns and BREEAM assessments and reporting on what recycling opportunities have been realised and wotnot. I don't believe that is the model they are following in Qatar. The hoarding around a building site - I've just been quoted £10,000 to put secure hoarding around a shop for 10 weeks. That puts a bit of a hole in your budget for artisan stucco work. So you can have a pretty building in the UK, but if the stonemason is going to have a decent wage and a safe work environment then that building is going to cost you. Problem with a building being expensive, nobody here needs a building to last more than 25 years but they do want it 'future proof' with raised floors and ceiling voids because who knows what tech we will need in 5 years time. You basically get what you pay for. There are few Clients here willing to pay for more than they 'need'. The shareholders tend not to like it. Saying that, I'd prefer the health and safety gone mad UK where toilets flush and drinking water comes out of the taps and generally the roads and rails are safe and you can get out of a burning building and buildings rarely collapse whilst fully occupied. But overall, plenty of pretty to look at too. Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Brutalism, Neo Gothic, Modern, Tudor. All around you. Just not on the retail parks and drive through's. Seriously, I had a walk around Ipswich a week or two ago - architectural tour de force. The locals think it's a dump, people on VT probably think it's a dump. But it had great examples of every kind of architecture you could possibly wish to see. I had an indian meal in an original art deco restaurant with leaded glass windows. It was within sight of the Willis building, itself within sight of a medieval church. I'll be going back to have a proper look around. Ipswich ffs - it's a dump, isn't it? I'm going for a lie down. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post snowychap Posted June 17, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 17, 2014 The infrastructure and architecture in the UK compared to other countries is abysmal. Why cant we have big modern skyscraper buildings here like those in shanghai, toronto, even bangkok. Why cant we have efficient, modern sky trains like those in asia. Why cant we have beautiful architecture like in spain and italy? The UK is miles behind countries in terms of this compared to countries that are supposedly poorer economically then us. The ugliness of our towns and cities is depressing. Sounds like you need to emigrate. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Risso Posted June 17, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 17, 2014 I don't think I've read a bigger load of bollocks than that post above about the UK. The UK is rammed full of amazing places. London is a brilliant city, and I honestly don't think there's another city on earth to touch it when it comes to architecture and historic buildings. As for the other towns and cities outside of London, I always take Bill Bryson's advice and look upwards. If you can see past the plate glass windows and doors of most shops, you'll most likely see fine examples of architecture. Of course, the UK has its fair share of dumps, but then so has every other country in Europe. I would strongly argue that places like the Cotswolds, Cornwall, Harrogate, York, Chester, Rutland off the top of my head are just as aesthetically pleasing as anywhere that Spain or Italy has to offer for places of comparable size. Even if you take three cities that mostly get a bad rap, Brum, Manchester and Liverpool, all three have some unbelievable architecture that cross all periods as chrisp says above. Getting the ferry in to Liverpool and watch the Three Graces come in to view, look at the Victorian splendour of the town halls in Brum and Manchester and their links to both cities' parts in the industrial revolution. I love the UK, and I don't even strictly live there any more! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob182 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Yeah but Risso, we don't have lovely sunshine all year round and beautiful beaches, therefore.. **** the UK!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapal_fan Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Yeah but Risso, we don't have lovely sunshine all year round and beautiful beaches, therefore.. **** the UK!!!! Errr, we do have beautiful beaches actually.. God, don't you know anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 More than 230 new towers are being built or planned for London, making Renzo Piano’s Shard look like a modest proposal and St Paul’s almost quaint... Clicky Though you're not allowed to clutter the skyline looking across London from various viewing points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trekka Posted June 17, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) Being in Catania 4 weeks ago only to find out Mt Etna has erupted with a fantastic display in the last few days. Only 4 weeks out dammit!!!!! That would have been an awesome experience (I would have had front row seats to the power of nature). IT IS SO ANNOYING!! Edited June 17, 2014 by trekka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I didn't think we could build huge buildings because of our soil/rock or something? And there's plenty of wonderful architecture throughout the UK. Go for a wander around Lichfield. Still makes me smile every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ingram85 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 You just need to know where to look, glorious modern and historic architecture and buildings all around the uk. If you cant be arsed to go & find it then its your loss, doesn't mean we have an ugly country full of ugly cities. Good & bad everywhere. Just need to open your eyes more. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) The US has 100 ugly buildings for every good looking one. Edited June 17, 2014 by StefanAVFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trekka Posted June 17, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted June 17, 2014 The US has 100 ugly buildings for every good looking one. Go somewhere off the beaten track not covered by the mainstream press... say Savannah, and you will see some gems. I agree with your overall sentiment though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I love the US, don't get me wrong. I was just making a point that everywhere has amazing architecture combined with utter shite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8pints Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 It's not where we are but who we are with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meath_Villan Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 The brother in-law .....I don't know why but he's a **** word removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Airlines advertising really low prices for one way flights. Add the return trip in and it ceases to become cheap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Footballers who make that heart sign with their hands....**** off 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Airlines advertising really low prices for one way flights. Add the return trip in and it ceases to become cheap! Bet you'll be hard pushed to beat my €32,000 quote for a flight the other day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Bet you'll be hard pushed to beat my €32,000 quote for a flight the other day ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Bet you'll be hard pushed to beat my €32,000 quote for a flight the other day ? I wish It was a one way ticket from Baku to LHR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) I wish It was a one way ticket from Baku to LHR Wow! I wasn't aware that we'd raised that much in the fund for the barriers to your re-entry. Edited June 17, 2014 by snowychap 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts