From the enchanting wonders of ancient civilizations to the awe-inspiring marvels of today’s skyscrapers, architecture has long been a canvas for society’s creativity and innovation. Yet, in recent decades, a disheartening trend has emerged in urban building design, particularly within the United States.
What was once a vibrant mix of textures, shapes and colors has transformed into an unending repetition of plain, square and uninspiring structures. As we navigate the intricate realm of contemporary designs, it becomes apparent that a troubling erosion of creativity is taking hold in modern architecture.
Architecture, often overlooked in our daily lives, shapes our surroundings and tells the story of our time. When I pass a certain type of building, there’s a moment where I absorb the intricate details and thoughtful designs that went into its creation. However, one reason people don’t often discuss architecture is that it hasn’t provided us with much to talk about lately.
Architecture is a reflection of a place and time, revealing our lifestyles and stories to future generations. In today’s world, architects have the freedom to design without being confined to a particular trend, drawing inspiration from the art of the past to create something novel and unique. So, why then are we settling for giant steel and concrete blocks or cookie-cutter track housing? As said by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “The modern architect is, generally speaking, art’s greatest enemy.”
While it is important to note that there are still many innovative architectural projects being done globally, we must admit that time and money have become more important factors than the designs themselves.
In the U.S., corporate interests wield a significant influence over architectural projects, often overshadowing joy and beauty with a narrow range of design preferences. In the race for profit and competitiveness, the time spent on these projects diminishes, resulting in bland and generic designs that proliferate across the nation.
Architects are denied the opportunity to experiment or create because they are pressured to play it safe and meet deadlines. This mass production leads to a scarcity of space and resources, diminishing the hope for more creative architecture. The art of architecture is getting buried, and imagination is getting lost in suburbia.
Let’s think of it as a box of crayons, (bear with me here). All your crayons are blue; there are lots of different shades of blue and you can draw so many pictures with them, but after a while, everything starts to look the same. Although, if you were given a box with all the colors and all the shades, suddenly you can create something so much more imaginative and unique, pictures that make you and everyone else stop and think, ‘Wow!’
Buildings are those crayons, and all those blue pictures are the U.S. Our cities are turning into one color, but instead of blue, it’s gray. But if architecture is given the imagination and creativity it deserves, our streets can be filled with buildings that are more exciting and beautiful, a picture that makes you go ‘wow.’
Creativity is what makes our cities meaningful and memorable. Do we really want to be remembered as cookie-cutter houses and block offices? Infusing imagination into architecture makes us feel happier and more welcomed. It’s like creating a picture that not only looks beautiful but also tells a story that people will see centuries from now.
It’s time to make things more interesting and turn our cities into places where we can all be amazed and inspired. Architects possess the ability to envision and create something beautiful—a talent that is rare. The way our world looks and feels is in the hands of architects, who determine whether we continue to live in cubes.
There is immense power and potential in architecture, something everyone should get to experience if given the chance. Today’s buildings are our mark on the world, innovation should not be masked by copied designs because it undermines the true potential of what society has to offer.
Presley Zimmerman can be reached at [email protected]
Steve M. Windham
Presley, I was intrigued by your article, and it was interesting to read. That being said, I do not agree with most of what you said. A few years ago, I decided to informally study architecture; a long time ago, I used to work in construction, so much of what I have studied was relatable. Something about architecture that may not be readily seen is the move towards sustainability, using recycled and repurposed products, and constant improvement for health and safety (think: fires, earthquakes, extreme weather, seniors with mobility issues, etc.). Let's not forget all of the "smart" electronics built into homes, whether for water recirculation and instant hot water to prevent water waste, to smart kitchens that facilitate cooking, multi-zone climate control systems, home security systems, solar and wind power, etc. These are all elements of architecture. Clearly, nothing as grand as the Pyramids of Giza have been built in a few thousand years. But, consider engineering marvels of today... the Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, the Golden Gate Bridge, Palm Jumeirah man-made island in Dubai, the Gherkin Building in London, the list goes on... Even at our own University of Idaho, where we have college gothic architecture alongside modern architecture, such as the Kibbie Dome and the Central Credit Union Arena. Cookie cutter homes and offices are cheap (relatively speaking), which is why we have them. Many people would not be able to afford custom homes, and the track homes fill a niche for millions of people in this country. There is always a trade-off with architecture. Curves, exotic building materials, and other high-end architecture features always cost money. Zaha Hadid, known as the "Queen of the Curve" (see: https://www.zaha-hadid.com) designed many amazing buildings that many of which, until recently were unable to be built because of computer and materials limitations. Even the Gherkin Building required extensive computing power to be build due to all of the curved glass in, and the shape of, the building. That being said, we could do better--a point that you hammered home. We need more "green" communities--communities that promote walking, skateboarding, bicycling, and public transportation. There are cities like this, but it takes lots of money to re-design a city. Groups, such as the US Green Building Council, have standards and certifications for green building projects. This is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Stewardship, carbon-neutral building, and sustainability are important elements of nearly all architectural projects in the United States. If you, or anyone reading this, are interested in free architecture classes, there are many that can be found at the following URLs: www.aecdaily.com www.continuingeducation.bnpmedia.com www.greence.com www.hanleywooduniversity.com University of Idaho also has Professor Diane Armpriest, who co-wrote the book, "Building Construction." It would be interesting to hear her take on contemporary architecture. Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA