White picket fences and sprawling lawns are often hailed as the epitome of suburbia. When walking through the neighborhood, however, we are greeted with rows and rows of houses that look exactly alike. Modern architecture has undeniably strayed too much from the aspects it should value; architecture should always prioritize creativity of design, cultural heritage, and aesthetics. In an attempt to differentiate itself from aspects of classical architecture, modern architecture has produced soulless, blocky buildings devoid of any substance and significance, resulting in the identical suburban housing and featureless skyscrapers we see today.
At its core, architecture should be seen and studied as an art form focused on design and visual beauty. One of the biggest culprits behind the rise of monotonous designs in modern architecture is the loss of ornamentation. After World War 2, as architects began to view architecture through more utilitarian lenses, buildings began to lose the adornment found in classical architecture. As Magali Larson from the University of California Press puts it, “Experiments with new materials and technologies, with new building types and kinds of architectural commissions, prompted deeper changes in the conception of architecture.” Consequently, modernism as an art form grew more popular, and many architects no longer wanted to implement bells and whistles into their designs. There was a struggle between classical styles and modernism. Steel and glass as building materials were novelties, and ornamentation, seen as tacky, fell out of favor. But, as architects focused on abstract ideas, functionality, and efficiency, they lost the individuality of buildings and simple beauty.
In classical architecture, buildings were full of detailed work by artisans, such as the intricate stonemasonry on the Notre Dame, or the hand-painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Today, architects no longer focus on the appearance of the building, but rather on maximizing profits by cramming as many people into a square meter, and reusing unoriginal designs. The artisanal works aren’t simply works of art to be appreciated, but culturally important pieces of heritage and tradition. Classical architecture in the past was diverse, with different cultures having their distinct styles, such as the curved roofs from Oriental architecture, or the big stained glass works in Gothic cathedrals. From these works, historians can pinpoint stories and ways of life for many civilizations, as well as what was important to their people. The cultural integrity of these buildings preserves the heritage that is unique to every region, preventing them from being lost to corporatization and homogeneity. What will the architecture we leave behind be remembered for? What stories and cultures can historians glean from rows of suburban housing and sleek skyscrapers?
Nevertheless, architecture is highly subjective, and architects will continue to push boundaries on what constitutes sophisticated architecture. Over the years, societal norms have shifted to include and appreciate these trends of minimalism, focused on simplicity and function. However, function and form do not have to be mutually exclusive, and modern architecture can be visually appealing while still satisfying the needs of big cities. For example, buildings like the Chrysler Building or the Empire State Building were designed with an Art Deco architectural style, and still able to be space efficient and structurally sound. It shows that functionality and form are able to coexist, especially when artists take the time to beautify their minimalist architecture.
However, while architectural trends change, we shouldn’t forget what makes architecture special, which is its ability to reflect the culture and history of its location. Functionality is important as well as managing construction costs, but not at the expense of art forms. It is crucial to balance innovation and modernity with tradition in order to create buildings that are timeless.
