'Liverpool Pier Head Ferry Terminal voted Britain's ugliest building' - Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

The ultra-modern Pier Head Ferry Terminal located on Georges Parade is an example of the renewal and revitalization of the docks area of Liverpool. It sits in a UNESCO world heritage site opposite the city’s "Three Graces of Liverpool" and provides a striking contrast.

The ferry terminal was designed by Hamilton Architects of Belfast with a construction cost of £9.5m.
Hamilton Architects won the project in an international competition in 2006. They describe the building as ‘dramatic’ and striking.

The terminal is constructed from a metal frame, has unusual angles is cantilevered on two sides and is clad in limestone to complement the new Liverpool Museum next door.

"Thomas Consulting’s structural engineers designed the structural steel frame for this challenging building. The structure incorporates Corus Bi-Steel lift shafts, providing lateral stability and enabling rapid construction of lift shafts and stairwells. F-Beam structural steel beams were used to achieve the long clear spans within the limited construction depth.
The building is clad with natural Portland Stone supported by the steel frame. Our structural engineers worked closely with project managers ISG to provide unique design details and ensure the structural steelwork was completed to programme." SOURCE: (visit link)

The three storey building houses the ferry terminal for Mersey Ferries on the ground floor, the Beatles Museum on the second floor and a rooftop restaurant.

However not everyone was impressed with the design of this building.

A report by Alan Weston appeared in the Liverpool Echo on 27th August 2009 and reads as follows;

'Liverpool Pier Head Ferry Terminal voted Britain's ugliest building'

"LIVERPOOL’S flagship Pier Head Ferry Terminal has beaten off stiff competition to scoop a national award.

Unfortunately, the prize is the Carbuncle Cup for the country’s ugliest new building.

A panel of experts from the highly-respected Building Design magazine unanimously voted the £10.5m building as a shining example of bad architecture.

It was up against a wide range of other new buildings for the wooden spoon of the architectural world, including London’s Westfield shopping centre and the fire station at Prince Charles’s model village of Poundbury in Dorset.

But in the end, Merseytravel’s Pier Head ferry terminal edged ahead because of the damage the judges said the building had done to Liverpool’s waterfront, which is a Unesco world heritage site.

Building Design editor Amanda Baillieucorr said: “It was given the Carbuncle Cup as much for where it is, as for its lack of architectural merit.

“The city’s waterfront is one of the most important historical sites in Britain and you’ve got to be very careful with the architecture you put up there.

“What we get irritated about are architects trying to ape other famous architects.

“The result is abominable, complete pap and should never have been allowed to be built. It will look dated in only a year or two.”

Organisers said this year’s Carbuncle Cup had seen a record number of public nominations. The award is made by a three-strong panel of judges.

A Merseytravel spokesman said:"We are proud of the Pier Head Ferry Terminal and have received widespread support for the building from the community here on Merseyside.”
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Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 08/27/2009 Publication: Liverpool Echo Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: regional News Category: Arts/Culture

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