Art deco was probably the last period before the triumph of utilitarian architecture. A lot has changed since the 30s, the loss of craftmansship, but also the "

Art deco was probably the last period before the triumph of utilitarian architecture. A lot has changed since the 30s, the loss of craftmansship, but also the "engineerifying" of the architecture profession. That loss of finesse has been acute, and one way to address this regression, and it's an approach that's been waxing and waning since WW2, is by looking at the building as a sculpture in itself, as opposed to its own art form that can accommodate other fine arts like sculpture or ornamentation. The "well done"-picture is a case in point. The whole building is shaped to pop from a distance, but it will look uninspiring up close. Great architecture, like Miami's art deco, doesn't have this, it looks good at all scales. Smaller buildings get away with simple forms, if you use high quality natural materials that are pleasing to the touch. But generally, the larger a building gets, the more care it requires the architect to introduce a hierarchical order, that gradually refines as you approach. So I don't think Seattle's style will endure, because it isn't sensual up close, and mostly drab from a-far.