The Carbuncle Cup is an architecture prize, given annually, originally by the magazine Building Design, and since 2024 by The Fence, to "the ugliest building in the United Kingdom completed in the last 12 months". It was intended to be a humorous response to the prestigious Stirling Prize, given by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

History

First run (2006–2018)

The award was inspired by the Carbuncle Awards that Scottish architecture magazine Prospect (now Urban Realm), had been presenting to buildings and areas in Scotland since 2000. The name derives from a comment in 1984 by Charles, Prince of Wales (now Charles III), an opponent of certain modernist styles and forms and a staunch defender of existing characterisations, themes and points of interest, who described Ahrends, Burton and Koralek's proposed extension of London's National Gallery as a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend". The cup was launched in 2006, with the first winner being Drake Circus Shopping Centre in Plymouth by Chapman Taylor. A shortlist was announced by the periodical each year, based on nominations from the public, and usually in the same week as the Stirling Prize shortlist. Free voting via the magazine's website was at first used to select the winner. From 2009 onwards, a small group of critics selected the winner. The original run was last held in 2018.

Second run (2024–)

In 2024, Soho based magazine; The Fence revived the award, with the first year's award being given for buildings completed since the last award of the original run was given in 2018. The judging panel for the 2024 awards comprised:

Winners and nominees

First run

Second run