Why Are Modern Buildings So Ugly?

[Daco Celtic]

Then - let's not go for Neo-Classical architecture but something much more alligned with our own traditions. The adaption of local building materials and local traditional architecture.

I agree. Of course, Europe has a much richer architectural history to draw from compared to the US. On the west coast of the US, we have a very young cultural, so the modern ascetic make sense to some degree. Glass skin buildings also work better in a warm climate, where it is cheap to heat them in the winter. We draw a lot from Spanish style architecture for a more "old school" vibe.

[The Lawspeaker]

Yeah. They're much more stronger than houses made of wood. Bricks are easy and cheap to use, so they can build their houses from such materials, you know?

Plus - they were less of a fire hazard than timber framed buildings.

[Kamal900]

I agree. Of course, Europe has a much richer architectural history to draw from compared to the US. On the west coast of the US, we have a very young cultural, so the modern ascetic make sense to some degree. Glass skin buildings also work better in a warm climate, where it is cheap to heat them in the winter. We draw a lot from Spanish style architecture for a more "old school" vibe.

What about New England in North-West America?

[The Lawspeaker]

I agree. Of course, Europe has a much richer architectural history to draw from compared to the US. On the west coast of the US, we have a very young cultural, so the modern ascetic make sense to some degree. Glass skin buildings also work better in a warm climate, where it is cheap to heat them in the winter. We draw a lot from Spanish style architecture for a more "old school" vibe.

That might work down South, yes, while for the British and Dutch colonial architecture and Federal architecture might work better: those offer more protection from the elements.

[Kamal900]

Plus - they were less of a fire hazard than timber framed buildings.

Like what happened in Rome under Nero where most of the city was destroyed since most of the housings at that time were made of wood rather than stone in later Roman period after Nero.

[The Lawspeaker]

Remember - your colonial and early independence architecture was very European.. In fact - very British and, like with your basic cuisine or the original culture in general, fits hand-in-glove with the rest of Western and Northern Europe

[Daco Celtic]

That might work down South, yes, while for the British and Dutch colonial architecture and Federal architecture might work better: those offer more protection from the elements.

I would say modernist architecture doesn't work so well in cold climates besides heavy concrete styles like Art Deco and the much hated Brutalism.

[The Lawspeaker]

I would say modernist architecture doesn't work so well in cold climates besides heavy concrete styles like Art Deco and the much hated Brutalism.

Brutalism would be the worst of the worst: that quickly turns dark and depressive as you can see in numerous commieblocks all over Europe. Art Deco might work - if it doesn't use concrete or covers it.

[Jacques de Imbelloni]

I would say modernist architecture doesn't work so well in cold climates besides heavy concrete styles like Art Deco and the much hated Brutalism.

you need spiky roofs for the snow.
Also the building must be desing to be easy to be warmed, and able to maintain warm.

[Morena]

Brutalism would be the worst of the worst: that quickly turns dark and depressive as you can see in numerous commieblocks all over Europe. Art Deco might work - if it doesn't use concrete or covers it.

Art Deco can be beautiful. Miami Beach is full of original Art Deco buildings that are lovingly preserved. The difference is that Art Deco there is washed in pretty colors and in a summery, tropical environment. It works.







It looks very pretty in person.

One of the positive examples of Architecture in the video you posted is the Empire State Building which is an Art Deco:


But Brutalism is awful. Nothing can fix Brutalism, there is no context in which it "works," even the name is awful.