Modernism continues to evolve, and decline.
Early modernists built stark, functional structures in response to centuries of rich classical architecture. Despite their lack of traditional materials and detailing, early modern architecture adhered to the basic principles of symmetry and form. The second incarnation of Modernism has gone so far as to abandon even that. Their buildings now take the shape of crumpled paper. More ink and thought is put into the esoteric explanation of the form than into the actual blueprints.
New Urbanism continues to grow.
Single zone subdivisions have proven themselves failures. “Main Street” has proven itself a success. This message is clear in the minds of those who live there but has not yet fully penetrated the thick skulls of our hapless bureaucrats, or maybe the message is being drowned out by the sound of money emanating from the real estate developers and the national chain discount stores whose best work continues to be in the field of politics.
Yet despite the best efforts of lethargy and greed, local, state and federal officials are beginning to take notice. The single zone, auto friendly sprawling development is detrimental to the nation’s health. It’s getting tougher and tougher to convince the voters that another subdivision is a good idea. New Urbanism is poised to become a part of the national debate.
Preservation Groups Splinter.
Not a hard to predict as more and more less and less traditional buildings come up for eligibility on the National Register. Not only that, but preservation itself is branching out to such previously ignored creations as bridges, roads and highways. We see active communities playing host to several preservation organizations. A trend which will deal a blow to preservation activity in general. There is strength in numbers, and preservation organizations are usually pretty small to begin with. Reducing the ranks may prove fatal to some buildings (or roads) worth saving.
"Ism" Descriptions Degrade into Parody.
Extensive use of the prefixes “Neo” and “New” will result in confusion and satire. New ideas, styles or philosophies will simply be defined by tacking on one of the two overused prefixes, thereby saving the time formerly wasted on thoughtful descriptions.
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