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I don't know much about architecture, but I found the essay very biased and unnecessarily biasing - I didn't actually think that most of the buildings they pres

I don't know much about architecture, but I found the essay very biased and unnecessarily biasing - I didn't actually think that most of the buildings they presented as monstrosities were actually unattractive. Many of them looked quite elegant from the outside. I also found some of the examples they presented as positive too complex for my tastes. It feels like the authors overextended themselves in the assumption that their readers would feel the same revulsion to post-modern or brutal architecture that they do. The article did bring up some good points about how the sentiments of people using the buildings should be taken into account during the design process. I really enjoyed their take on how democracy should be treated in architecture. It feels profound beyond the scope of architecture itself, and something that society has been playing with in recent decades - e.g. panchayat government in India [0] and decentralized governance and decision making as embodied by various blockchains. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchayati_raj_in_India https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchayati_raj_in_India

amiga_500 6y ago
I agree with him. Every example of a bad modern building, I agreed, they are repulsive.
throwaway_pdp09 6y ago
> ...in the assumption that their readers would feel the same revulsion... I'm not sure they were actually so revulsed as much as whipping up indignation to sell an article. I don't think aesthetics was really what it was about at all. Also if you want large amounts of detail, expect to pay for that either directly in lots of money, or in considerable unjust exploitation of a craftsman underclass. (I also detest articles that say what YOU want or what YOU feel).
- alejohausner 6y ago
  Skilled crafstmen are not in the underclass. They ones I've met are very well paid, and take pride in their work, and know a lot. The stone decorations of mediaeval cathedrals were very expensive. Modern architecture avoids decoration partly to avoid expense.
  - throwaway_pdp09 6y ago
    > Skilled crafstmen are not in the underclass Not now but they were. Now they would cost a lot more than than, so ... > The stone decorations of mediaeval cathedrals were very expensive. Modern architecture avoids decoration partly to avoid expense. ... was exactly my point. It costs money. https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/resource/medieval-prices-and-wages/ https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/resource/medieval-prices-a...
brazzy 6y ago
> brutal architecture Brutalist architecture. The word actually has little to do with adjective "brutal". It's derived from French "brut", meaning "raw", as in "raw concrete".

amiga_500 6y ago

I agree with him. Every example of a bad modern building, I agreed, they are repulsive.

throwaway_pdp09 6y ago

> ...in the assumption that their readers would feel the same revulsion... I'm not sure they were actually so revulsed as much as whipping up indignation to sell an article. I don't think aesthetics was really what it was about at all. Also if you want large amounts of detail, expect to pay for that either directly in lots of money, or in considerable unjust exploitation of a craftsman underclass. (I also detest articles that say what YOU want or what YOU feel).

alejohausner 6y ago
Skilled crafstmen are not in the underclass. They ones I've met are very well paid, and take pride in their work, and know a lot. The stone decorations of mediaeval cathedrals were very expensive. Modern architecture avoids decoration partly to avoid expense.
- throwaway_pdp09 6y ago
  > Skilled crafstmen are not in the underclass Not now but they were. Now they would cost a lot more than than, so ... > The stone decorations of mediaeval cathedrals were very expensive. Modern architecture avoids decoration partly to avoid expense. ... was exactly my point. It costs money. https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/resource/medieval-prices-and-wages/ https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/resource/medieval-prices-a...

brazzy 6y ago

> brutal architecture Brutalist architecture. The word actually has little to do with adjective "brutal". It's derived from French "brut", meaning "raw", as in "raw concrete".