Main content
Why Do We Have ‘Ugly’ Buildings?
How modern architecture swept Britain in the 20th century.
Modern buildings are ugly - that’s what opinion polls suggest - but if it’s true, what’s the story behind it? Ben Henderson and Alice Loxton see how a Swiss architect turned the British establishment against traditional architecture, and how his followers rebuilt British cities in the hope of improving society. For some, modern architecture is a crime against the public realm. For others, it’s iconic. Alice and Ben explore the debate over the decades. Subscribe to the podcast on Âé¶¹Éç Sounds and on Here For The History’s YouTube channel.

