A "McMansion 101" post for those who wish to arm themselves with studied arguments against this popular style of residential construction.
[Updated June 26, 2017] Just asking the question of what makes or break the quality of residential architecture indicates a lack of knowledge of "basic architectural concepts," according to an article on the Worst of McMansions blog.
Thus, the post examines the lack of quality that makes McMansions "especially hideous" by explaining several key design principles. For instance, the article begins by describing masses and voids, showing examples of where these concepts are well crafted, and then rendering the verdict on McMansions. "The McMansion has no concept of mass," and "[uses] too many voids." The latter sin makes some McMansions "resemble swiss cheese" and "give the façade an overall appearance of emptiness."
The article then builds on the concepts of mass and void to describe concepts of balance, proportion, and rhythm.
Update: The Worst of McMansions blog is now known as McMansion Hell.
Read the full story: McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture?
Research Links Urban Design and Human Happiness
An emerging field of ‘neuroarchitectural’ research is revealing how building facades and urban design impact the human brain and body.
L.A.'s Crackdown on McMansions Hasn't Stopped Them from Going Up
Legislation to stop construction of McMansions is being undermined by a zoning loophole.
McMimpact Fee Proposed
Should there be an extra fee for property owners who tear down an existing single-family home and replace it with a much larger, more expensive single-family home?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion
Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority