Notes from the River

For much of my childhood, my architect mother dragged me across the world to look at renowned, yet obscure buildings. One notable trip featured a post office savings bank in the suburbs of Vienna*, followed by an abbreviated presentation of my mom’s architecture school thesis. My 12 year old self couldn’t publicly admit that I was actually really interested.

Today, it was my turn to return the favor, as the two of us took a tour of the iconic Stahl House, a mid-century marvel in the Hollywood Hills.

As I took in the shining bastion of design, I couldn’t help but think: why do all buildings look like shit these days?!

The Case Study House program (of which the Stahl House is #22), sought to bring groundbreaking design and the use of novel building supplies like steel and concrete, to the average American. Today, those supplies are used for evil, to subject Americans to overpriced, lazy, and derivative design. Every modern apartment building is a depressing testament to the powers of gentrification, venture capitalism, and $10 green juices.

Maybe the iconic mid-century homes of Los Angeles are asbestos-laden, dated, and have bad (or no) insulation, but at least they look good!

*I’ve been corrected, apparently the post office savings bank is in the center of Vienna, but a random apartment building we had to see was,in fact, in the suburbs.