I suspect the real motivation is cost in many cases. Minimalism involves less work to fabricate and cheaper machines. The ornate past tended towards "more expen

I suspect the real motivation is cost in many cases. Minimalism involves less work to fabricate and cheaper machines. The ornate past tended towards "more expensive materials, cheaper labor". The cheapness also extends towards designs - it is harder to screw up minimalism. Look at architecture blogs snarking about McMansions and misuse of decorative features.