Aung Myint, the architect brought in about 15 years ago to come up with a design for what would be the Shwe Rural and Urban Development Bank – also known as the ugliest building in downtown Yangon, or Darth Vader’s office, or (insert humorous description of your own here) – is distancing himself from the project.
In an interview with the Irrawaddy, he says that the building, which opened its doors on Pandosan and Merchant streets in Yangon’s historic core earlier this month, was “quite different from what I had envisioned.”
How different? Oh, about “50 percent contrary” to Aung Myint’s blueprint, which he claims strove to incorporate “elements of traditional and classical design with the surrounding heritage architecture in mind.”
Alas, “they didn’t follow it,” and put in a metallic façade that seems to have been inspired by the hue of a puddle.
He does not specify who “they” are, but the bank is owned by Shwe Than Lwin Company, which is reportedly owned by tycoon Kyaw Win.
Aung Myint, 63, is only the latest person to look at Shwe Bank and recoil with horror.
Yangon Heritage Trust has approached Shwe Than Lwin Company with suggested changes that could help the building blend in a little more with its colonial-era neighbors. So far, though, no news on whether that’s been accepted.
Meanwhile, the excoriating descriptions of the structure continue.
Suu Oo, the chairman of the Association of Myanmar Architects, just hates the thing.
“It seems like a UFO in the middle of a village road,” he told the Irrawaddy.
