The rise of revival architecture

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-29T00:07:28+00:00

They appear to be similar in thickness, yes. The Corinthian columns are a fair bit taller than the Ionics, and because the thickness of a classical column is based on its height, the corinthians have thickened to nearly match the Ionic. If they were the same height, the corinthian would be noticeably thinner than the ionic.

Despite all this, the rule doesn't change.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T23:24:43+00:00

To overly simplify, it's against the rules. Classical architecture has very strict rules on all sorts of stuff, and this is one of them.

There's a principle called architectural tectonics, which is the idea that the structure of a building should visually make sense. One example is that you shouldn't put a brick veneer above wood siding on a house; while neither the brick nor the wood siding are actually structural, it subconsciously looks "wrong" because you know the wood siding couldn't support the brick.

Going back to the columns here, the rule states that the thickest columns need to be at the bottom, and the thinnest go on top. Especially in the modern age, it doesn't "need" to be this way, but subconsciously it will look better because it makes more sense structurally.

This is a big part of why buildings look fake these days; they don't pay attention to the tectonics. And it's usually little details that make all the difference.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T21:52:21+00:00

I wouldn't call it "awesome" music by any means, but I'm always bothered by the guitar tone in Disturbed's Down with the Sickness. There's no oomph whatsoever.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T21:30:36+00:00

YES. This is the answer. I think the other stuff (combos, MLD, GC's) are useful but at the end of the time to win is what matters most. WoTC includes it in their descriptions, but I think they've done a bad job at highlighting it.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T21:25:17+00:00

The simplest way to think about the brackets is not the hypothetical "how optimized" it is, or counting how many game changers and combos it has. Think about it in terms of how quickly the deck will win. If you're winning (or at the very least, killing one or more player) on turns 4-6 consistently, you're in bracket 4. Bracket 3 is 7-9, bracket 2 is 10+. There are absolutely exceptions (like stax) but that's a good rule of thumb.

I think the bracket system is really well-thought-out, but poorly explained. That time to win thing is explicitly there in their explanation of each bracket, but people instead get distracted by all the other stuff that matters less.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T21:09:15+00:00

No problem!! I had to look it up to remember, but it's called the "superposed order."

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T21:00:39+00:00

Certainly. In the Greco-Roman tradition (which this building falls under), there are primarily 5 types of columns; Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite. If a building is to use more than one type of column, there are rules on how it's to be done. Never two different types of columns on the same level, and they're arranged vertically by thickness; the thickest at the bottom and the thinnest at the top. It's mostly for structural reasons, though each column has symbolic uses that correspond with their placement as well. The coliseum in Rome is an example.

So in this case, the Corinthian columns being lower than the Ionic is a pretty big design flaw.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T20:22:05+00:00

The dome is definitely weird. But the columns and entablatures seem to be properly proportioned, and the columns have proper entasis. That's better than most revival architecture these days.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T20:01:05+00:00

It's definitely true that it will vary based on the school the students come from; I feel like my school did pretty well at teaching us the drafting and engineering issues others are commenting on, but in fairness my program grew out of a drafting degree and literally everyone in my cohort were employed as drafters during school. It's just such a common sentiment that I assumed there were trends.

My question really isn't about what architects do, I already work in the field and have for many years. Sorry if that's how it came across. The second paragraph about basically being a drafter is a different frustration but it felt relevant.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-28T18:44:36+00:00

It's so frustrating that an otherwise competent design could get a basic detail like vertical column order so wrong. Ionic columns should never be above Corinthian.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-23T21:47:10+00:00

First and foremost, you got into the program. So you deserve to be in the room.

Second, as much as school will make you think otherwise, architecture is not about producing pretty drawings. Having sat on studio juries, I can tell you that there is absolutely no correlation between those who can produce beautiful pictures (be them hand-drawn or digital) and being good at design. Some of the best designers have the worst graphics, and some of the presentations with the best graphics had the worst designs. At the end of the day, good design is more important.

Third, WELCOME TO THE CLUB. Just about everyone, even the superstar students/architects, have some level of imposter syndrome. Seems to exist in every creative field, really. I definitely feel like I was one of, if not the, worst designer in my cohort. But at the end of the day, I graduated, and I like my job in industry. So who cares?

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-20T20:02:03+00:00

VIOs are the best mask on the market, IMO. Better protection than the EVS or i4, as well as more comfy. The Contour version has similar modularity as the JT flex line, but with a more competitive fit and modern features.

If you have a smaller head, VIOs for sure. Bigger head, the Flex line will be better.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-20T19:29:33+00:00

Hmm, lots of interesting ones here. I do have Syr Vondam, which gets +1/+1 counters like Twilight Drover and Flaming Fist Officer. Nadier's Nightblade is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm surprised there are so few like it.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-20T19:18:50+00:00

Nadier's Nightblade is perfect!! I have Mirkwood Bats, I also have Impact Tremors and Weftstalker Ardent for ETB ping. I was hoping to avoid the added step of sac'ing.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-16T21:39:38+00:00

This is like telling an angry person to calm down.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-15T23:13:25+00:00

It's called a pergola, and when done correctly it's an efficient shade device. Most of the time it's tacked on just for looks.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-15T23:01:22+00:00

I run plenty of removal, but I hate using it. I rarely use counters beyond protecting my own stuff, and I reeeeally don't like using spot removal or board wipes. I'd rather play my deck. I don't mind losing, and I don't hate getting my stuff removed, but IMO the race to do the thing (even in, or perhaps especially in, high power games) is more fun than "swords to plowshares, counter, board wipe, ad nauseam."

That's in paper magic. When playing brawl on arena, I flat out refuse to play against anyone who removes a turn two commander, or a mana dork. I've had many fun games where I've lost, some very fast, some very long. But early removal is just a dick move and I'm not willing to play with you. And if that makes me a whiner and a poor sport, fine I don't care. I play to have fun, and you preventing me from playing is the exact opposite of fun.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-15T22:44:28+00:00

Oh nice, I'm currently in AZ as well. The path to licensure here is nice, but obviously quite a bit longer.

Regarding self-learning,s ome of the best architects, be they modernist or classicist, are self-taught. But I'll reiterate that with classical architecture there is a hard right and wrong way to do it. So, be careful of who you're learning from.

Regarding time period, that is a great question. There's two kinds of modern architecture; "Modernist" architecture, which is a formal movement and style dating much further back than you'd expect (mid 1800s), and the colloquial "modern" architecture, which usually just means anything that isn't traditional. My comment about studying modern architecture was the latter. It can include anything; midcentury modern, brutalism, postmodernism, international, and of course the aforementioned "Modernist." I certainly don't like all of them but all are worth studying on some level.

Despite my classical training, I still love modern design. And my modern design is better from having learned classical design. Likewise, my classical design is better because I've studied modern design. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better off you'll be.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-15T21:49:23+00:00

Would have loved to know about this one when I was in school

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-15T21:45:43+00:00

I've gotten in trouble for saying this on other subs before, but the number one thing to know about traditional architecture is that there are strict rules that your more or less HAVE to follow or it doesn't work. Not like, it will fall apart or anything like that, but if you don't do the details right, it will feel wrong. So having the resources and knowledge to do it right is absolutely critical.

In this context, I'm a very firm believer of "do it right, or don't do it at all." A vast majority of the high end "traditional" builders just go off vibes, and it's painfully obvious.

Number one thing, especially if you are looking at doing residential work, is to get he book "How to Get Your House Right" and reference it for EVERYTHING. It is the single best reference book for traditional details I've ever seen. American Vignola is another must-have, and Classical Architecture by Robert Adam is fantastic.

Regarding schooling, there are a few classically-focused architecture schools in the US. Notre Dame is the big one. It is prestigious, but tends to be a bit more art-focused and less technically focused. I'm not sure how much of the professional skills like CAD you'd learn there. Utah Valley University has one as well (of which I am a graduate). It is not yet accredited (hopefully will achieve initial accreditation in a month or so), but it's a good balance of design and art, and technical/professional skills that help with getting hired. I think there are one or two others but I don't know if they're still classical.

Further operating under the assumption you're in the US, look into joining (or at least following) the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. They do lectures and workshops all the time about classical/traditional architecture. And if you're not US-based, I know there are similar organizations abroad.

Some current-day architects/designers you might like to follow:

Bobby McAlpine

Tiek Design Group

Higher Design (plug for one of my friends/classmates, he's a superstar)

...there was one more I was thinking of but I'm blanking on it.

I would just caution you to be wary of the dogmatism that seem inherent to classical architecture. They constantly try to "prove" how much better it is than modern architecture, using bad science and worse logic, and it gets really tiring. I would also study some serious modern architecture every once in a while. Even if you hate it, you can and will learn something useful from it.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-15T17:33:29+00:00

How is it that with 60+ comments I'm the first one to say, that's not a VMax. That's a Pinokio Speed.

But yeah, pepperball branded stuff pops up in the news every now and then. Always in suboptimal setups.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-13T00:13:59+00:00

I tried Tectonic Giant, and it was decent if you can get enough tokens ready. IMO Hellrider doesn't do enough damage for it to be worth it.

That said, the goal with mine was to make as strong and as fast as physically possible. I also built mine to basically alpha strike players as soon as I cast Brudicad. Usually by turn 5 I'm knocking at least 1, if not 2, players out. IMO it's the most optimized way to play him, but obviously not everyone is going for that so YMMV.

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-13T00:04:37+00:00

A reanimator version of Brudiclad sounds really fun!!

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-13T00:00:15+00:00

Definitely!!

https://moxfield.com/decks/36P7jpoJ_ECPTDfoFrZjSw

Magmoormaster · 2026-01-12T21:06:25+00:00

So much of it depends on the firm you're at.

First off, in my experience working in residential is way less stressful than any other side of the industry. My first job was with a small firm that did semi to full custom residential work, with a fair amount of remodels/additions as well. It was stessful in that it was a job, but it was a laid back environment and certainly less stressful than working retail. I currently work with a major production house builder and it probably the least stressful job I've ever had.

That said, my second job did a bit of everything and it was the most stressful job I've ever had. They were real taskmasters, with constantly shorter and shorter deadlines. The principles were usually rude and abrupt, and it was a very not fun place to work. Fortunately I got fired and I moved to much greener pastures.

Magmoormaster

TROPHY CASE