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McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

mcmansionhell.com

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Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#31

Post by forgetfreeman »

asdff wrote: post #21
Lammy wrote: post #18

“McMansion” is just a way for The System to shame the middle class for daring to want some space to live in, and I'm disappointed when I see anyone propagate it.

Uhh, these are not humble middle class homes. These are the definition of American excess and the perpetual "me, me, me" attitude that sees an f250 with 5 feet of ass hanging outside the standard parking space giving everyone else a hard time. And of course they are basically also built by George Bluth, so all this material expenditure is going towards a terrible product that is already falling apart the day after th…

Thank you. My aunt bought one of these things some years ago and was desperately offended when I pointed out here kitchen (in both dimensions and decor) strongly resembled the interior of a Panera Bread Co. If that isn't pointless excess I don't know what is.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#33

Post by Lammy »

asdff wrote: post #21
Lammy wrote: post #18

“McMansion” is just a way for The System to shame the middle class for daring to want some space to live in, and I'm disappointed when I see anyone propagate it.

Uhh, these are not humble middle class homes. These are the definition of American excess and the perpetual "me, me, me" attitude that sees an f250 with 5 feet of ass hanging outside the standard parking space giving everyone else a hard time. And of course they are basically also built by George Bluth, so all this material expenditure is going towards a terrible product that is already falling apart the day after th…

> Uhh, these are not humble middle class homes.

You misunderstand; the target audience for ”McMansion Hell” is not the people living in a ”McMansion” but those who have less than that and would aspire to more.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#34

Post by dsr_ »

bluebarbet wrote: post #20
asdfasgasdgasdg wrote: post #14

Seems to me there are two possible definitions of good architecture which might be in conflict. The American mansion-style suburban home is good architecture in the sense that the people who want to buy homes in these places and of these sizes are happy to buy these homes. It is bad architecture in the sense that architecture nerds, who do not even live near these mansions and are not affected by them, don't like the…

By that standard, a Picasso painting is only good art because it's expensive.

That's how capitalism values things, yes.

And that's why capitalism must be strongly regulated; it's a powerful tool and a terrible master.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#35

Post by cmrdporcupine »

AnimalMuppet wrote: post #25
Lammy wrote: post #18

“McMansion” is just a way for The System to shame the middle class for daring to want some space to live in, and I'm disappointed when I see anyone propagate it.

Not at all. It's a way to shame the (upper) middle class for wanting some space that looks pretentious , and doing it badly.

This. There's a reason why they almost always put the triple-car garage out in front as the most prominent architectural aspect: "Hey, look how many cars I can have."

Better than "McMansion" even is "Faux Chateaux"

(Having a big spacious home is not something I'd safely criticize as I have 6 acres and a house a bit too big for the family. The simultaneously ostentatious and ... ugly... yeah)

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#36

Post by michaelhoney »

Lammy wrote: post #18

“McMansion” is just a way for The System to shame the middle class for daring to want some space to live in, and I'm disappointed when I see anyone propagate it.

Nah, they’re shitty, wasteful, and grandiose. They _are_ the system.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#37

Post by Lammy »

ryandrake wrote: post #26

Weird that there are so many comments defending McMansions here, I would have expected the opposite. We have no problem pointing out poorly, haphazardly, or tastelessly designed tech devices and applications with terrible UIs, and tech companies with more money than design sense, but when it comes to a tasteless house, criticism is elitist gatekeeping?

> but when it comes to a tasteless house, criticism is elitist gatekeeping?

In the middle of a housing crisis, yes, it absolutely is.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#38

Post by bombcar »

ryandrake wrote: post #26

Weird that there are so many comments defending McMansions here, I would have expected the opposite. We have no problem pointing out poorly, haphazardly, or tastelessly designed tech devices and applications with terrible UIs, and tech companies with more money than design sense, but when it comes to a tasteless house, criticism is elitist gatekeeping?

The average HN enjoyer likely lives in a McMansion of some sort, especially since basically anything built in the last 30 years is reminiscent of one, at least.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#39

Post by BoggleOhYeah »

ryandrake wrote: post #26

Weird that there are so many comments defending McMansions here, I would have expected the opposite. We have no problem pointing out poorly, haphazardly, or tastelessly designed tech devices and applications with terrible UIs, and tech companies with more money than design sense, but when it comes to a tasteless house, criticism is elitist gatekeeping?

It’s pretty obvious that a lot of the user base is obsessed with wealth and status and critiquing their main status symbol hits them where it hurts.

Re: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture? (2016)

#40

Post by adjejmxbdjdn »

bondarchuk wrote: post #3

> Disclaimer: These same principles do not always apply to Modernist or even canonically Postmodern architecture. These principles are for the classical or traditional architecture most residential homes are modeled after. Seems like an obvious way out of this conundrum is reclassifying these so-called mcmansions as postmodern. Description instead of prescription.

You would have the same critiques but applied from a different perspective.

It’s like reclassifying a really bad plane as a helicopter. The same critiques wouldn’t apply but it would probably be an even worse helicopter.

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