The Dying Art of Architecture
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Architecture’s journey from creative to cookie-cutter
Sophie Cosaro
I often find myself driving through neighborhoods full of new buildings thinking, “Why do all of these houses look exactly the same?” Cookie-cutter homes have taken over neighborhoods, all looking the same except for some slight modifications of color or an added-on porch. Random window placement, cheap materials and incohesive architectural styles characterize these homes, making them feel impersonal or uninviting (Kagan, 2023).
When looking at historic neighborhoods though, each home seems to have its own personality due to its creative design elements and character. Older architecture showcases many different styles and specific designs that represent the location, people and time period.
Architectural styles are vastly different around the world and can be key reasons why cities draw tourists. Often, the architectural designs give these cities their character. For example, Florence, Italy’s Renaissance style, Brasília, Brazil’s Futurism or Marrakech, Morocco’s Moorish Architecture all create a visually striking place to look at and be a part of (Hussain & Morton, 2017).
Newer construction, though, is starting to look more similar everywhere (Turaga). It diminishes the uniqueness that gives cities around the world their specific look and preserves the connection architecture can have to the rich, cultural history of a place.
So what exactly has caused this shift in architecture?
Price is one of the main obstacles that stunts creative design choices in architecture. When companies create a new building, no matter what it will be used for, a common goal is to construct the building under the lowest cost. In order to cut costs and time before a building is complete, simple designs with basic architectural elements are commonly used (Alchemist, 2023).
Architects themselves also have less freedom to create. They are pressured to meet deadlines and make money in an increasingly corporate and capitalistic world, limiting their creative outlets and projects where they can have fun and be innovative (Zimmerman, 2023). This isn’t to say that talented architects are no longer making beautiful buildings, but these opportunities are increasingly limited.
Mass production of building materials also results in simple products that create a similar look and feel in new architecture. This is also the case in many emerging neighborhoods. “McMansions” is a term for large, mass-produced homes that lack individuality and character (Kagan, 2023). These cookie-cutter homes are a big reason why neighborhoods are beginning to lack any character or lasting impact on their community.
Technology can also arguably have negative impacts on creativity in architecture. Technology makes solutions to architectural problems too easily accessible. This can limit architectural innovation, as these problems no longer need as much brainstorming to solve. Buildings also now value technology and ease of use of the building, which is a good thing in making structures accessible and more comfortable for the people who use it, but it does take away emphasis on creativity in design (Turaga, n.d.).
Even though in some spaces architecture can still be a creative art outlet, architecture today is undeniably less artistic and creative than in the past. This lack of artistry in architecture decreases the appeal of cities and doesn’t allow for homes to be personalized. It will also decrease the connection people have to a place, as architecture can be what makes a location memorable and important to many people. Also, this cookie-cutter architecture lacks a feeling of human care and emotion. People will find less joy when looking at these buildings, and the lack of story behind a building design translates to all of the people seeing and using it.
However, there is still hope to revive creativity in architecture. Preserving historic architecture and recognizing the cultural impact that these designs have on current society can help people appreciate the unique features. Even in new trends,modern architecture and technology can be used in ways to elevate both the usability and design of the building. Though it is not very accessible, many wealthy individuals also have the funds to create homes and buildings that allow architects to design to their full abilities. So unfortunately, in this era, money may be necessary to foster creativity.
In the future, if the value people and corporations put into making architectural art continues to dwindle, the beauty of architecture may be lost. However, there is hope that people will realize the preservation of this art is incredibly important, and that there is value in allowing architectural creativity to prosper once again. As the role of technology increases in society every day, the human connection and soul that people find in the environment around them is increasingly more essential, giving us hope that art can be restored in architecture before it's too late.