Morality and Architecture

...as Watkin points out in this thoughtful volume, architecture has content beyond simply how it looks or how it works. He points out that throughout recent history, architectural historians have used their own critical work to justify whatever style they happen to be most fond of as being the only "real," "true," "authentic," and hence, moral architectre. The transparency of this self-fulfilling prophecy becomes clear as architecture transitions into Modernism, which was vigorously promoted by its adherents. Watkins interesting historical perspective is beneficial to anyone who's wondered who decides what architectural style or form is "more right." While this whole discussion may strike you as intramural and arcane, I assure you that it is not, as we live every day (and for succeeding decades) with the results of these stylistic tugs-of-war. Recommended reading for architecture buffs as well as architects.