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'WHAT DO THEY KNOW?'

Architect fumes after his self-built London eco-home is shortlisted for ugliest building competition

Chris Moore, who designed his own home, insisted "I know what I'm doing"

AN ARCHITECT who built one of “Britain’s ugliest buildings” has slammed the decision to shortlist his “dream home” among the worst eyesores.

Chris Moore, 39, was stunned his three-bedroom eco-home in Streatham, South London had been nominated for the wooden spoon Carbuncle Cup.

 Architect Chris Moore's eco-home has been shortlisted as one of the ugliest buildings in Britain
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Architect Chris Moore's eco-home has been shortlisted as one of the ugliest buildings in BritainCredit: Building Design

The competition is held each year and pits the worst designed buildings in Britain against each other for the unwanted gong.

Building Design magazine described the orange, three story house as “an alien blot on the streetscape” that looks “more like an electricity substation than a home”.

The magazine’s editor went further, saying the house “has the appearance of a red-faced child”.

But Mr Moore hit back at his critics, saying he was “very proud” of it.

 Past winners of the prize include the Walkie Talkie in the City of London
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Past winners of the prize include the Walkie Talkie in the City of LondonCredit: Alamy

He said: “I’m an architect – I know what I’m doing.”

Dad-of-one Chris questioned the decision to lump his £800,000 house in with other abominations, saying it “called into question” the award’s validity.

He seethed: “This is at best a local issue, and shouldn’t be compared to the other buildings nominated.”

This year’s winner was Redrock Stockport, a £45million leisure complex in south Manchester. The judges called it an “absolute monstrosity”.

Previous winners of the ‘prize’ include the “Walkie Talkie” in the City of London.

 This year's winner is the garish Redrock complex in Stockport
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This year's winner is the garish Redrock complex in StockportCredit: Alamy

Chris paid £160,000 for a plot of land in 2013 before spending around £280,000 building his new home.

He says it is energy-efficient, equipped with solar panels and well-insulated.

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