Why We're Done With Cookie-Cutter Glass Boxes
Look, I get it. Modern architecture got stuck in this weird phase where every new building had to be this reflective glass cube. We've been guilty of it too, honestly.
But here's what changed for us - we started listening to how people actually use spaces instead of just chasing what looks good in Architectural Digest. Last month we wrapped up this residential project on King West, and the clients told us from day one they wanted something that felt warm, not sterile. That conversation shifted everything.
We ended up mixing materials nobody expected - weathered steel with warm cedar, lots of texture, and these angles that catch light differently throughout the day. The neighbors actually stop and look at it, which doesn't happen with your standard glass tower. There's this craft to it that feels human, y'know?
What we're seeing now is this return to materiality and tactile experiences. People want buildings they can connect with, not just efficient boxes that could be anywhere in the world. It's messier, takes longer to design, but man does it feel good when you walk into a space that has actual character.
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