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Most people prefer traditional architecture

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Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#191

Post by snickerbockers »

chasil wrote: post #176

While my karma might get incinerated with this quote, it is incisive on traditional architecture. The author is reviled by many. “Yes, God damn it, the Parthenon!” The ruler struck the glass over the picture. “Look,” said Roark. “The famous flutings on the famous columns—what are they there for? To hide the joints in wood—when columns were made of wood, only these aren’t, they’re marble. The triglyphs, what are they?…

I dont prefer traditional architecture because I have high standards, I just hate all these rectangular-prism concrete stripmalls and loglo highways.

Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#192

Post by Animats »

Theodores wrote: post #173
boh wrote: post #61

Modernism is the act of using cheaper resources and more standardized/cheaper methods of production. The aesthetic is more of a side-effect of those limits. Ugliness has become a cultural norm in order to suit the modern economy. It may come as a surprise but it required years of cultural development and education for most people to accept the work of Dieter Rams as some aesthetic pinnacle rather than soulless mass p…

In Europe we had this minor disagreement in 1914, which we would prefer not to talk about. One consequence of this was the decimation of skilled craftsmen. Millions of them were sent off to become machine-gun fodder, to never return to their respective trades. Along with them was their craft. The next generation of apprentices never had the mentors they needed, hence that was that, the end of what you might call trad…

> The crane still stands, albeit idle, since shipbuilding went to Asia in the post-disagreement years. That crane, once the largest and most capable in the world, has a soul. It speaks of sorrow to me.

And now it's used for bungee jumping.

The US equivalent is the Hunter's Point crane.[1] This was built to do a very specific job - lifting battleship turrets. It's not used any more.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter%27s_Point_crane

Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#193

Post by someluccc »

hardwaregeek wrote: post #96

Perhaps there’s a difference between what people prefer looking at and what’s actually nicer to inhabit? Architecture is optimizing for people inhabiting the building, not just staring at it in a photograph. It’s like if you asked someone to judge a phone based on a photo. Yes there’s some aesthetic judgement but it matters more if the phone is usable. I know that personally I find New York’s prewar buildings more be…

It just so happens that humans inhabit the outside world too? And that the outside is shared by everybody?

Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#194

Post by iamnothere »

I just wish there were more acceptance of experimentation. I like well-executed Art Deco, Art Nouveau, 60s high modernism, whatever you call the 70s angular wooden buildings, “natural” styles like adobe that use clay and wood, all kinds really. As long as a style is appropriate for the structure’s use and environment, it’s fine. But economics favors ugly boxes, and local building restrictions make it even more expensive (or even impossible) to be creative. It’s no wonder that many builders don’t bother, sticking to “safe” styles.

Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#196

Post by Animats »

chasil wrote: post #176

While my karma might get incinerated with this quote, it is incisive on traditional architecture. The author is reviled by many. “Yes, God damn it, the Parthenon!” The ruler struck the glass over the picture. “Look,” said Roark. “The famous flutings on the famous columns—what are they there for? To hide the joints in wood—when columns were made of wood, only these aren’t, they’re marble. The triglyphs, what are they?…

It's amusing to watch the movie version of The Fountainhead and see what are supposed to be Roarke's buildings. He likes the pedestal style, where the first floor is mostly open-work columns around a small lobby. Turns out this is terrible in cold or windy areas. Wind hits the side of the building and is forced down into the area around the lobby. Doors are forced shut by wind pressure. People are knocked off their feet. A strong wind in snow produces a horizontal blizzard.

The Meteorology Building (bldg 54) at MIT was built that way, with all of the above problems. Much embarrassment. Later, much computational fluid dynamics and, in 2019, a rebuild of the plaza level with more walls.

Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#197

Post by papa-whisky »

yencabulator wrote: post #180
IshKebab wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right but that's not because modern architectural style has made the interiors better. It's mainly technological improvements that allow larger windows, bigger space, better insulation, etc. You can totally have a traditional style building with a modern interior without a hint of brutalism or concrete.

Large windows are part of the modern aesthetic.

~1580, large windows: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wollaton_Hall

Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#198

Post by tomhow »

Zigurd wrote: post #34

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Re: Most people prefer traditional architecture

#199

Post by cryptonector »

hardwaregeek wrote: post #96

Perhaps there’s a difference between what people prefer looking at and what’s actually nicer to inhabit? Architecture is optimizing for people inhabiting the building, not just staring at it in a photograph. It’s like if you asked someone to judge a phone based on a photo. Yes there’s some aesthetic judgement but it matters more if the phone is usable. I know that personally I find New York’s prewar buildings more be…

> Architecture is optimizing for people inhabiting the building, not just staring at it in a photograph.

Entertainment is a non-productive activity. But people need entertainment.

People like to live comfortably. But people also like beauty.

It's that simple. People do care about the looks of buildings. Aesthetics matters.

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