When a series of images of two skyscrapers that had won a major design competition in China were shared on Facebook, social media users were astounded. Some were even horrified.
That’s because the two L-shaped skyscrapers, named the Oasis Towers, have a very unusual shape.
Both 150 metres tall and with angular cliff-like facades, to some people they appear reminiscent of a scene from a disaster movie, because the towers appear to have been bombed.
Their jagged edges give the appearance something is missing, that there is a hole in the middle of the design that seems like it shouldn’t be there.
The design by Netherlands-based architecture company MVRDV has won a competition for “nature inspiring towers” in Nanjing, China, and provides greenery amongst the towers and various environmentally friendly options.
They are designed in such a unique manner to allow for the extensive greenery.
The purpose of the towers, which will be built to be used as mixed-use residential and commercial complex, will be to provide residents with a place to escape within a dense, rapidly developing part of the city, which is located in Jiangbei New Area’s Financial District.
However, clearly not everyone is a fan of its appearance.
Scores of shocked comments started appearing on the post made on the popular Architecture & Design Facebook page. One user wrote: “Horrors!”
While another commented: “Looks like it’s falling apart … Awful.”
A third said: “Wow! Looks like a building of the morning after an earthquake – that was broken into pieces from afar. Or Lego brick house been smashed and these are the remnants. Now Feng Shui speaking, I am not sure it is so prosperous anymore.”
Others believed it was inspired from war: “This architect is for sure inspired from war and bombed building photos.”
Another agreed: “It looks like a bomb’s gone off.”
However, there were some fans of the skyscrapers.
One personal wrote: “Awesome this building’s design. Love it.”
Another wrote: “Special. Full of imagination.”