The houses that were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th century sought to bring back to life the Romanticism style of construction that involved heavily decorated houses. This attempt demonstrates the appreciation that most people have for this style of housing. However, the notion that urban homes are not as crafted as they used to be is a myth. This argument falls is in the context of increasing urbanization and the cost of construction.
The death of plastering, architectural detail or stuccoing is related to the introduction of more flexible building materials such as drywall and plywood. The use of these materials and the unskilled labor that was heavily employed sought to answer the demand for housing in urban areas on an affordable scale. The effect is a mass-produced, boxy buildings that we have. The Gothic cathedrals of Europe took years to complete. Another possible link to the argument of “death of craftsmanship” is that stones and grown forest made heavy masonry of the time economical but that has since faded.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Modern craftsmanship can be thought of as a “form and function” school (Wagner, 2019). People spend much of their time at work and return to the boxes to sleep. In their free time, they will spend time watching television or playing video games and not admiring the garden or the “people filled” streets. Modern day homes are specifically meant to accommodate the purpose they are meant for. The shift can be seen, in the reduced kitchen as people eat fast foods and embrace restaurants. In conclusion, the shift from the old home craftsmanship is supported by the fact that people no longer need or want them.
References
Wagner, K. (2019, January 16). We don't build 'em like we used to'but that's not a bad thing. Retrieved from https://www.curbed.com/2019/1/16/18184194/mcmansion-hell-kate-wagner-modern-building-materials
