We Need Bolder Houses
Minimalism was cool, but take me back 100 years
When I initially moved to SF, I did the stereotypical expat tour of the city. Bike across the golden gate bridge, have burritos in the Mission, stroll the Marina waterfront, the city lived up to its reputation.
Back then, and even to this day, the aspect of SF that stands tall when compared to the other cities I’ve visited has been the architecture. The dynamic range of colors & styles coupled with grand structures in homes and old office buildings gives the city a distinct sense of grandeur. Moreover, the relics of the past stand out in the sea of modern construction where everything seems to be a copy of the next.
Take a stroll down your city’s downtown or your city’s public spaces; I bet that if there’s been recent construction most of it is bland architecture. Houses, office spaces, parks, sidewalks, roads; everything seems to follow the same design language devoid of emotions with little to no variations, a.k.a minimalism.
Personally, when applicable, I like minimalism! The monochrome coloring coupled with the focus on straight lines, geometric shapes, and industrial components delivers on functionality while providing a simple aesthetic. When I imagine living in my dream house, I already know I want to interior to follow the same principles while incorporating white & black marble. As a clothing aesthetic, minimalism leads to styles that focus more on quality articles that are reusable without being loud, perfect for daily wear.
Still the best thing about minimalism is also it’s worst trait; there isn’t any variety.
In 1915 SF hosted the world fair, for which the city built a bunch of architecture marvels that still remain today. The Palace of Fine Arts is a endeared location for all travelers and runners in the city. Back then the rationale behind building it was to mark the recovery of the city from an earthquake. From its surroundings the landmark stands out for its roman-colosseum-like inspiration.
Regardless of if the style is to your liking, there is a clear emotional response you’ll have to viewing the structure. For the city and builders, decisions were made not to make it appealing to everyone but rather to express their sentiments.
Could you imagine a city building a structure like this nowadays ? I can’t.
Why ?
In my opinion there is a new modern focus on functionality and appeasing the lowest common denominator in society. The fear of offending or excluding drives design languages that everyone seems to like, but no one seems to love. And it makes sense; to connect with anything there needs to be substance.
This line of thinking follows a previous entry of mine regarding standing out in life. The same cookie-cutter form factor disregards person-ability and the ability to connect.
For public works and functionality I don’t believe we ought to introduce crazy designs with Victorian-era architecture & neon colors. But in the small aspects of our city, let’s introduce some personality.