Have you actually looked at the other buildings that were in contention for the prize?  Some pretty horrendous buildings there.

Updating buildings in different (modern) styles has been going on since there were buildings, and I guess there will always be those who love it and those who hate it.

It could have been demolished completely and something hideously modern put in it's place - all square glass and concrete.

If you want to see really bad taste in houses I suggest you look at

this