Anyone who follows the architecture blogs is used to seeing a never-ending variation on the "box." Take a cube, poke some holes in it, slap on Ipe wood siding and Voilà! 21st century architecture! Architecture can be so much more engaging than a glorified cardboard moving box with some holes in it. Frank Lloyd Wright and other Organic Architects did so much to "break the box" for us, let's not rush to put ourselves back into it. So please, up-and-coming architects: Think more Usonian and less U-Haul.
Image via MocoLoco
As a contributor and one of the founders of PrairieMod, I do not wholly agree with the opinion in this post. There is nothing wrong with a square building as long as it follows principles. For example the beautiful Morton Arboretum visitor center is square, the ModFab™ by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is square—to name a couple.
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 16, 2009 at 05:20 PM
You have misinterpreted the post. It was not the stated opinion that "box" structures could not be well-designed (as in the examples you've stated), rather that the approach has been unfortunately way overdone to the point where it has become cliché and thus not Principled.
Posted by: Eric | Nov 16, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Before one can design 'outside the box', one must first learn to design a box well. -David Buege
Posted by: Zack | Nov 16, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Shoeboxes have a purpose, but it not for human habitation.
Overhangs provide a sense of shelter and intelligently designed can protect the building and the occupants from the vagaries of sun and weather. They also provide the opportunity for the designer to add "design."
Posted by: Paul Ringstrom | Nov 16, 2009 at 08:07 PM