I think about this a lot. I live in a large city that has a rich architectural heritage, so there are old beautiful buildings all around me from various eras. N

I think about this a lot. I live in a large city that has a rich architectural heritage, so there are old beautiful buildings all around me from various eras. Neoclassical, beaux arts, art deco, etc. But of course the city suffers from the problem of new ugliness - nearly all modern construction is in-your-face ugly, with hideous blocks of primary colored plastic paneling, discordant jutting shapes, and headache-inducing asymmetry. At best, new construction is faceless, shapeless wall-to-wall glass. But that's a really sad best. I often wonder if NIMBYS would be less opposed to new construction if new construction actually looked beautiful. I make a point to campaign to my representative in favor of density, but even I have to admit that a dense apartment complex built in the modern-ugly style is truly unpleasant to live around. The ugliness becomes quietly oppressive. It's strange that Americans campaign so hard to preserve beautiful buildings, but when it comes to new buildings, nobody wants to build beauty any more. Truly sad.