DAISY AMES

eric felten makes an accurate account of modern architecture and its evolution toward purist and non-ornamental design, but his article is debased by his simpleton point of view. he argues that the “trademark glass-and-steel boxes of modern architecture” are still being built, but with little change or adaptation. perhaps that’s because no one can figure out how to master one, or design one as well as mies did, himself. felten further states, “thanks to this ascetic aesthetic, we’ve seen decades of buildings impoverished by plainness.” this statement further highlights the fact that he is oblivious to subtler details in these buildings, which makes such “glass boxes” enigmatic masterpieces. ornament is not detail nor does a molding provide any more comfort than an exposed i-beam… these are socially constructed entities that only exist to those who cannot read a building for what it’s worth - literally in plan or subconsciously in spirit.