On: “Suburban sprawl is a much worse problem than skyscrapers”

[germinalphrase]

Based entirely conversations with a few architects and interior designers, the incentives are almost always far more aligned with “cost-effective”/“inoffensive” than “innovative”/“striking”.

[bobthepanda → germinalphrase]

Today supply is so constrained that not filling out the zoning ‘box’ entirely is leaving money on the table.

If the supply of buildable zoning was more lax, people would have more latitude for fripperies.

[llamaimperative → germinalphrase]

Architecture has always been strongly bifurcated with the (much larger) low end being dominated by cost/market considerations. But these architects do take design cues from the top of their field.

Low-end Italianate and Gothic Revival yielded the gorgeous Brooklyn brownstones. Low-end Corbusier yields the hideous, cultureless 5-over-1s perfectly prepared for a Chipotle logo.