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Juggernaut wrote: That's why I said before the result becomes what is considered "good" architecture must be relegated to only it's time & location, or if it's modern. So presently, you're left with essentially only modern architecture qualifying as good architecture. And I gotta disagree.

I'll say this again: I believe that good architecture should most of all reflect the location and time that it's built in. And it's not just about fashion...

We are living in 21st century and the materials we can use today are far different from what we had 100 or 200 years ago. This allows us to build different (better or sometimes even worse) buildings. We use new materials and new technologies because they are available to us - and we should take full advantage of this to keep evolution going.

Once you start copying old styles we are doing the contrary. You are essentially making a lie. And even though I may love a particular historic style I will not copy it. Thats just a spitting into the wind.

This is most important in exteriors of buildings. While interiors can diverge from that since everyone can basically decorate his home however he likes and it won't bother the neighbors. But even then I believe that a buildings interior should reflect it's exterior...

What I want to say also is that you can also have the best of both worlds. You can still admire old historic styles and you CAN cleverly use it's principles in modern buildings.

Will try to find some examples.

jure wrote: What I want to say also is that you can also have the best of both worlds. You can still admire old historic styles and you CAN cleverly use it's principles in modern buildings.

Will try to find some examples.

Here is a perfect example. Its the mexican embassy in Berlin, germany.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mexikanische+botschaft
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mexican ... lin&m=text

Believe it or not but this is a typical mexican building since it picks up a lot of forms found in classic mexican buildings and temples.

Cheers, Florian

hmmm silly me thought that California was the home of the Post Avant-garde.
Seriously The New Classicism in Art and Architecture by Charles Jencks although a little old now it still a superb read. The great thing about Californian architecture is that it can be intellectually rich without the need to be overly austere.

Florian wrote: Here is a perfect example. Its the mexican embassy in Berlin, germany.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mexikanische+botschaft
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mexican ... lin&m=text

Believe it or not but this is a typical mexican building since it picks up a lot of forms found in classic mexican buildings and temples.

Excellent reference Florian - thanks. I hadn't seen this before. This illustrates the point I think of reinterpreting historical themes.

In every other sphere of art, progress always moves forwards. Even when in fashion for example, when themes are constantly re-appraised, they are always done in a modern way taking inspiration from the past. There are few art forms where the past is served up largely unchanged. Look at graphics, painting, sculpture, fashion, textiles, landscapes, jewellery, dance, literature and music. The only exceptions I can think of are in interiors and furniture I guess.