BP: Buildings

Big buildings, big airports, and even bigger buildings, these are the ideals Americans develop throughout the 20^th century. This idea that bigger is better began in the 1950s with the housing boom and economic prosperity post world war II. Americans had been deprivation of luxury in the previous decades made the temptation to buy unnecessary items even more enticing. With an influx in economic growth comes the need to expand in all facets of American life. This concept is what facilitated the ever growing American skyscraper, and the expansion and development of world travel through construction of elaborate, easily accessed airports. Everything was on the up during this time in American history, and the choice in design during this period definitely reflected that.

The embellished opulence of these structural designs lead to the development of both the art deco and post modern period in American design. These movements represent a time of superiority for American culture, and also established the competitive nature that exists amongst corporations and family units. This desire to be better than your neighbor through material possessions formed during this period, and although lessened it still remains embedded into the population today. Although aesthetically this was a magnificent time in design history, looking back on it now the necessity is questioned. With all we know about pollution and the impact our behavior has on our world, it’s hard to justify the need for giant skyscrapers and gas guzzling trucks. However, these enormous structures continue to be the heart and defining elements of our cities to this day. One great example of this is the Great American Insurance Building, located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Built in 2011 it is 665 feet tall, and by far the largest building in the city. Clearly America still has an fascination with all things large, but gradually we are beginning to adopt the principle of quality over quantity.