Thank you so much for reading! I was thinking about that as I was writing, and what that might say about economic conditions. We do tend to gravitate towards maximalism when times are harder. I really appreciate your kind words!
This is a huge topic worthy of a Substack in its own right, Nicole and nowhere more so than in the UK where our attachment to heritage and labyrinthine planning controls have resulted in an unprecedented housing crisis. All of us lovers of beauty mourn the massive losses of historically important homes which took place from 1940 to 1960 in particular (what the Luftwaffe didn't destroy, draconian inheritance taxes took care of.
Almost nothing built after 1945 is of much architectural merit, save the odd savagely beautiful brutalist development (The Barbican in London is a notable example) and the odd skyscraper and yet we continue to build cookie cutter housing developments on the outskirts of towns and prohibitively expensive new tower blocks in major cities which totally lack community, rather than repurpose and refurbish the countless uninhabited buildings across the nation.
Oh yes - the destruction of so many country houses after WWII represents such a profound loss! Here in Nashville, we have the opposite, which is that buildings laws are incredibly loose. On my street alone, five new apartment buildings have gone up in the past few years. And on one hand, this means more competition and cheaper rent. On the other hand, I wish developers put even slightly more care into making these buildings more attractive, and took greater pride in making our communities beautiful. Most of these developers are out of state, which is precisely the issue - they don't have to live here.
"White flight" was driven by the GI Bill which allowed people to buy brand new homes with new appliances and a yard. City homes were old, drafty ,in need of much repair and electrical and plumbing updates. Not nearly as desirable and the loans were for new housing and appliances to fuel the economy. It was a huge jump in home ownership. That Levittowns were not physically appealing was secondary to having a new home of your own. And so it goes.
Yes, thank you for pointing this out! It does remind me of where we are now with new builds, though many of these tall-and-skinnies are not built to last as many homes in the 50s were, and still command such eye-watering prices
I have two friends who grew up in Levittowns, one in NY and one in Pa. It was the GI bill that made it possible for so many to go to college and buy their first home. We forget what a massive govt program that was to kick-start the economy and make the transition from the war industries.
This is a huge topic worthy of a Substack in its own right, Nicole and nowhere more so than in the UK where our attachment to heritage and labyrinthine planning controls have resulted in an unprecedented housing crisis. All of us lovers of beauty mourn the massive losses of historically important homes which took place from 1940 to 1960 in particular (what the Luftwaffe didn't destroy, draconian inheritance taxes took care of.
Almost nothing built after 1945 is of much architectural merit, save the odd savagely beautiful brutalist development (The Barbican in London is a notable example) and the odd skyscraper and yet we continue to build cookie cutter housing developments on the outskirts of towns and prohibitively expensive new tower blocks in major which totally lack community, rather than repurpose and refurbish the countless uninhabited buildings across the nation.
Great essay on the topic I love so much
The only thing I've noticed -maximalizm at least what of it I can trace usually preceeds some horrid happennings.
It's almost as if people felt their lives are to be cut soon, and would be in a hurry to bloom
(rather maximalist myself, even though I need negative space...with art on the walls, etc)
Thank you for such a wonderful post
Thank you so much for reading! I was thinking about that as I was writing, and what that might say about economic conditions. We do tend to gravitate towards maximalism when times are harder. I really appreciate your kind words!
✨
This is a huge topic worthy of a Substack in its own right, Nicole and nowhere more so than in the UK where our attachment to heritage and labyrinthine planning controls have resulted in an unprecedented housing crisis. All of us lovers of beauty mourn the massive losses of historically important homes which took place from 1940 to 1960 in particular (what the Luftwaffe didn't destroy, draconian inheritance taxes took care of.
Almost nothing built after 1945 is of much architectural merit, save the odd savagely beautiful brutalist development (The Barbican in London is a notable example) and the odd skyscraper and yet we continue to build cookie cutter housing developments on the outskirts of towns and prohibitively expensive new tower blocks in major cities which totally lack community, rather than repurpose and refurbish the countless uninhabited buildings across the nation.
Oh yes - the destruction of so many country houses after WWII represents such a profound loss! Here in Nashville, we have the opposite, which is that buildings laws are incredibly loose. On my street alone, five new apartment buildings have gone up in the past few years. And on one hand, this means more competition and cheaper rent. On the other hand, I wish developers put even slightly more care into making these buildings more attractive, and took greater pride in making our communities beautiful. Most of these developers are out of state, which is precisely the issue - they don't have to live here.
Thank you as always for your enthusiasm!
If you're not familiar with David Perrine worth checking out. https://substack.com/@onarchitecture/note/c-106669428?r=7jkvx
"White flight" was driven by the GI Bill which allowed people to buy brand new homes with new appliances and a yard. City homes were old, drafty ,in need of much repair and electrical and plumbing updates. Not nearly as desirable and the loans were for new housing and appliances to fuel the economy. It was a huge jump in home ownership. That Levittowns were not physically appealing was secondary to having a new home of your own. And so it goes.
Yes, thank you for pointing this out! It does remind me of where we are now with new builds, though many of these tall-and-skinnies are not built to last as many homes in the 50s were, and still command such eye-watering prices
I have two friends who grew up in Levittowns, one in NY and one in Pa. It was the GI bill that made it possible for so many to go to college and buy their first home. We forget what a massive govt program that was to kick-start the economy and make the transition from the war industries.
Always like Edward Hopper’s House by the Railroad. Wondered which came first, the house or the railr?
This is a huge topic worthy of a Substack in its own right, Nicole and nowhere more so than in the UK where our attachment to heritage and labyrinthine planning controls have resulted in an unprecedented housing crisis. All of us lovers of beauty mourn the massive losses of historically important homes which took place from 1940 to 1960 in particular (what the Luftwaffe didn't destroy, draconian inheritance taxes took care of.
Almost nothing built after 1945 is of much architectural merit, save the odd savagely beautiful brutalist development (The Barbican in London is a notable example) and the odd skyscraper and yet we continue to build cookie cutter housing developments on the outskirts of towns and prohibitively expensive new tower blocks in major which totally lack community, rather than repurpose and refurbish the countless uninhabited buildings across the nation.
Art 🎨 and Architecture 📐
"synergeia" 😌❤️✔️👍🏼🖌️📸
Grace and peace to you! 🌐