Architecture question: Seems to me that too many new McMansion type homes just don't have the same warmth and

Question

character of houses built a generation or two ago. Can you put your finger on it? Is it the cookie cutter approach to building, with everything looking the same inside and out? The neighborhood, or lack of neighborhood replaced by suburban developments? The light? The attempt to duplicate style with imitations?

Answer 1

You're right, they aren't the same, and I think I know why.

First of all, Pergo isn't hardwood, and glass isn't crystal. The materials just aren't the same. Pergo isn't bad, and glass isn't bad, it's just that both currently make the error of trying to mimic that which cannot be faked. A crystal chandelier was made to reflect light like a jewel, and glass simply won't do it.

Second, the new McMansions (at least the ones I've seen) do not have a Library. They have a computer room with bookshelves full of knick-knacks and paperbacks, and probably have bookshelves in some of the other rooms, but a real mansion from a generation or more ago had a Library with real books.

Third, mansions had a real "study", a place that no one was allowed to enter when occupied, as it meant there was work going on. Even if you've never seen one in real life, you did see the movie "The Godfather". That room has combined with the Library to be the computer room, with free access for all, since this generation couldn't dream of setting part of the house off limits to the children.

Fourth, the McMansions are filled with furniture made from particle board and glue, rather than oak or mahogany held together by dovetails. I've even seen a beanbag chair in one.

Fifth and finally, one of the reasons mansions were so large back then was because you had more than a single family living there. You had one or more servants apartments, which dictated having separate access to some areas, like the kitchen and laundry areas. You had space for in-laws and other relatives, often on a long term basis. McMansions are large for the sake of being large, not because there's any real use for the extra space.

Answer 2

My husband and I have this debate regularly. New homes just don't have the character and warmth of older homes.

I feel some of it is style, building materials, and architecture. I walked in a house recently that had hard materials everywhere, marble, granite, stainless, tile, metal, etc. and to me the house just felt cold. It was a beautiful house, but it is not something I could call home. I just couldn't picture children playing and families gathering there.

Then there are the subdivisions, which have an element of "cookie cutter" to them.

I miss the tree lined streets and sidewalks.

I don't know if I can point to one or two things, but perhaps a combination of things make a difference.

Answer 3

i live in California what i hate is homes are mass produced hear then what make it worse is home owners associations.
when you have a house you can't paint it a different color not even you door or shutters, your fence has to be painted the same as everyone using the approve shade of stain, where can i apply my personal touches? i feel so trapped with the restrictions, I don't want to paint my house pink but maybe a different shade of tan, or maybe i like blue shutters instead of green, what if i wanted tile instead of a concrete walk way, i used to live in N.C. i used to spend 15 hour a week on landscaping, home editions, i felt pride in my home, and wanted it to look like s showroom all the time, here i don't give a damm. my house looks like everyone Else's, why bother, if someone visits you you can't say the yellow house with white picket fence, its the 18th tan house on the right. i love the older designs of homes, some new wave designs too, the frank Loyd wright styles( is that the correct name?) i wish they would just sell lots here and you could build what you want, not pick one of these 3 styles, tan, beige, or sand color, and you have to pay a home owners association dues so someone can make sure you don't change from the master plan. its extortion, buy land, build as many houses as you can possibly fit, then charge money from each household for a HOA, i really like paying the builder or should i call him "The Don" or "The godfather"

Answer 4

I think you answered your own question with the McMansion statement. I also like to say that everyone wants to pay 3 cents for long distance. Same net effect. On a fixed budget you can have quality or quantity. Builders are just suiting the demands of the consumer and it appears that quantity has won out.

Answer 5

Developers control land today. Emphasis is placed on profit, hence the repetition of design. The source of the design is the mind of a developer and not an architect. But McMansions are better than what 99% of the rest of the world's population live in.