Creativity in architecture often garners more attention. While this can be advantageous, excessive creativity in projects like building a new train station in China might be best avoided.
The design for the train station in North Nanjing certainly drew eyes. When images of the design surfaced online, it became the target of widespread mockery and humor.
China's Largest Train Station Receives Harsh Criticism From Internet TrollsThe structure features four lobes intended to resemble a plum blossom, which quickly became a point of criticism since traditional plum blossoms have five petals.
The cost of the station, at approximately $2.7 billion, also fueled discussions. Chinese social media users did not hold back, unleashing a barrage of mocking comments and views, mostly unfavorable.
This backlash primarily stemmed from an unfortunate comparison: many thought the train station resembled a sanitary napkin.
One commenter questioned how millions of online viewers could liken the design to a sanitary pad while the architect seemed oblivious to the resemblance.
Once finished, this station will become the largest transport hub in the city, serving the 8.5 million residents who will foot the bill and expected to accommodate around 36.5 million people annually.
Despite its scale, the project hasn't been immune to criticism on social media, with many poking fun at its resemblance to a giant sanitary pad.
It appears that while you can please some people some of the time, a design like this fails to please anyone at all.
