<p>I really don't like modern architecture. In 100 years it will most likely be torn down, thus they have no endearing legacy on university campuses. Why don't university's just build gothic, classical or colonial architecture (it's solid, lasts a long time)?</p>
<p>how do you know they'll b etorn down? each style goes with its time, different elements of architecture have their purpose and their message relevant to a given age. so building gothic in the 21st century would be a bit inappropriate if you ask me. i know a lot of US campuses have been built around the idea to "look" more stately and old, but that's just an immitation, there is no artistic expression in a building that's meant to look like something. it's like making classical music nowadays. no one can truly emmulate what haydn or mozart did back in their day.
i approve of modern interpretations of retro themes though. and i concede with you, some examples of modern architecture really are a piece of crap.</p>
<p>Modern art is crap. I went to the Smithsonian and I couldn't believe they had twisted pieces of metal outside. Such rubbish. This is more wasteful than the 600 dollar hammers and the 14000 dollar toilet seats.</p>
<p>I agree that a lot of modern day architecture is boring and lacking in imagination, but I also do not want to see all college campuses looking like Harvard or Yale. Gothic, neoclassical, and colonial are only beautiful if they mean things; if every school had pale imitations, it would become just as humdrum as the steel-and-glass boxes buildings of today. Each school should strive to find its unique appearance.</p>