2024-05-05T03:50:33-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/126897631/architecture-critic-mark-lamster-we-systemically-encourage-bad-building Alexander Walter 2015-05-07T18:15:00-04:00 >2019-01-05T12:31:03-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/d6/d6b6d8e648fe9c055027ccc0a5c00fc9?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>Here is a constant refrain: Why is so much new building junk? [...] The truth is that architects don&rsquo;t have that much power. Architects don&rsquo;t design most buildings; they are designed by developers or contractors working from&nbsp;cookie-cutter plans. Perhaps an architect signs off. [...] In any number of ways&mdash;our building codes, our housing policies, our preservation statutes&mdash;we systemically encourage bad building.</p></em><br /><br /><p>Related:</p><ul><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/126485922/rachel-slade-dares-to-ask-why-is-boston-so-ugly" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rachel Slade dares to ask: "Why is Boston so ugly?"</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/126360178/the-new-5-over-1-seattle-where-everything-looks-the-same" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The new 5 over 1 Seattle, where "everything looks the same"</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/125363205/blair-kamin-not-impressed-by-chicago-s-latest-housing-developments" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blair Kamin not impressed by Chicago's latest housing developments</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/125204801/jeff-sheppard-calls-downtown-denver-s-new-housing-developments-meaningless-uninspiring" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Sheppard calls downtown Denver's new housing developments "meaningless, uninspiring"</a></li></ul>