America's Architectural Dark Age

Architecture in America has changed over the years… at times, society prefered very ornate construction, at other times society preferred a much more simplistic and utilitarian style. Each of these different era’s have pros and cons…. But one stands out in particular as a major low moment for architecture in America. This dark period for architecture saw irreplaceable buildings destroyed only to be used parking lots. It saw entire neighborhoods bulldozed for the creation of interstates and extravagant displays of craftsmanship unceremoniously dumped for supremely bland replacements. It was the 1960s…

The reason for the architectural black hole that was the 1960s cant be boiled down to just one reason… it was a confluence of societal trends and so called progress that led to it.

Highlights
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Why was this decade so bad for architecture?
1:40 - Dealing with financial reality
2:00 - Changing stylistic trends
2:35 - The rise of central planning
3:35 - Berman v. Parker (1954) - Massive expansion of eminent domain
4:28 - The interstate highway revolution
5:38 - Deurbanization and shifting demographics
6:42 - Limited preservation efforts
8:15 - The WORST demolition choices of the 1960s