They aren't designed in the traditional sense that someone arranged those things with intent or clarity.

But the lack of care, on purpose or as oversight, also makes a statement–it means something, and definitely signals a point of view (even that of lack).

From the quote, I would assume that the author sees design both as a process and as an outcome/result. Meaning maybe that he is not considering those things as badly designed but, instead, as a bad design.