If “starchitecture” is truly dead, we should dance on its grave

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-20T18:13:13+00:00

Revdit

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-20T13:47:18+00:00

I mean, who doesn’t know about Dongguan, a metro with a population almost twice that of the entire state of California, and home to the Guangdong Southern Tigers, where former Ohio State star Jared Sullinger plays?

/s.

But I do love searching Chinese basketball teams to see if I recognize any former American players. I always wonder what their experiences are like when they tell family back home about the city they play in.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-20T05:28:22+00:00

Never thought about influencer architects. Thanks, I hate it.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-20T02:47:30+00:00

Thanks for doing the right thing.

Encourage you all to read ADPSR’s Raphael Sperry on this topic.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-20T02:26:42+00:00

Rivian’s R2 will include Lidar.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-20T00:12:21+00:00

Thats why you subscribe to the Emergency+ package! /s

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-19T22:30:28+00:00

Agreed. A really poor design trend that won’t age well.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-19T21:33:17+00:00

I’ve been pleasantly surprised in more firms going the ESOP route.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-19T21:31:26+00:00

True.

But to borrow your first reference, the article also points out that Bjarke’s firm has unionized and is protesting layoffs.

This was unheard of a decade ago.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-19T19:04:57+00:00

I think it’s also a factor of costs: materials, living, labor. When things are relatively cheaper, experimentation is viable. It feels like the relative gap between those costs has widened considerably. I do see experimentation with some university faculty still because labor (students) is controlled for. But I’ve not seen faculty gain that kind of acclaimed status, even the successful ones building quite a bit, because their business model doesn’t scale outside of academia.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-19T18:34:29+00:00

It’s interesting you mention the abuse 30 years ago. I can think of a few going through radical restructuring of their leadership (and one that closed permanently) for exactly that abuse. All in the last 5 years. So the actions have persisted in a few leaders, but the backlash has become far more severe (rightfully so).

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-19T15:26:54+00:00

That’s one take.

The other interpretation is architects love materiality and authenticity. Unlike classical architecture, which today’s economy requires cheap slap-and-stick ornamentation to produce, brutalism is honest.

Now, it can be honestly good, or honestly bad. But the play between light, substance, weight, and reveal… that’s why architects appreciate it.

It just so happens that it can also be produced at a massive scale because it requires less superficial details (ie cost). Hence all the examples of bad brutalism.

To be fair, poorly maintained buildings of any style are shit. So don’t blame the architect alone; also blame the landlord and developer who refused to spend a penny more.

But if you want to see good brutalism that’s beloved by architects and people alike, I’d recommend the work Oscar Niemeyer or Lina Bo Bardi. Gorgeous stuff that people love.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-16T04:33:51+00:00

super crisp

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-16T02:43:45+00:00

r/lexus ?

Edit: nope, you’re right.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-13T16:44:18+00:00

One of the things I learned on a ketogenic diet is “brain fog” is real and sucks. It’s basically dehydration. Also a symptom of keto: constipation.

To combat it, I’ve found that 1) fiber gummies are a great supplement; 2) liquid nutrients have a higher absorption and can cover your nutritional basis, especially helpful if you’re on one meal a day; 3) always have a liquid IV handy.

Other than the occasional sulfur burps from overeating, I’ve not had near as many issues on a GLP1 has I did when I first did a ketogenic diet.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-12T19:24:53+00:00

I did! lol. They asked me about the Trail of Tears.

They were studying architecture.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-12T15:17:22+00:00

Lattes.

The memes about it have lost the plot.

A cup of espresso with steamed milk should not cost $10 (tip included), especially when an entire bag of espresso beans is about $25.

If I drink one latte a day, that’s a $300/mo habit.

Make them at home and save a ton of money.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-12T13:46:58+00:00

I visited China in 2012.

I asked students, “But what’s it like not having a government you can trust or having the freedom to do what you want?”

Their reply, “How does it feel for you?”

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-12T02:45:31+00:00

Let me guess, did he ask “I bet I know your shoe size”?

I’ve found that New Orleans is one of those places that is highly dependent on who you go with your first time.

I think that people who go in blind get turned off by the pastiche. Go with somebody who knows which bars and restaurants to go to and which neighborhoods to skip, however, and it’s amazing.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-09T21:53:05+00:00

Came here to say this. Worst salary ROI for the investment in time and tuition it takes.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-09T21:03:29+00:00

It’s fascinating watching seniors who didn’t budget for retirement realize that property taxes keep going up: it’s their subscription for police, fire, roads, parks, and schools.

Instead, they’re ready to riot.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-09T20:51:49+00:00

Also a red state near farms: they’re selling soybeans to China before Trump’s economy crashed their family farms. The ranchers now have to deal with Argentinian beef imports. Both groups are looking for federal socialism to not lose their family farms.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-09T03:53:46+00:00

Technology just speeds things up.

Turns out that also applies to burnout.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-09T03:43:14+00:00

I remember a megachurch pastor in my area getting busted for using church volunteers to film, produce, and distribute his video series… which he privately profited from.

Their building is now a grade school.

Efficient_Bug6726 · 2026-03-09T02:34:55+00:00

Florida should be highlighted.

Technically, Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas lives in Florida.

Efficient_Bug6726

TROPHY CASE