Beyond Context: Building Beauty in a World of Stylistic Drift

Walk through any suburban neighborhood built in the last few decades, and you might notice a recurring theme: homes that lack a distinct architectural style. They often feature a mishmash of elements—stone veneers, vinyl siding, oversized windows—without a coherent design language. This phenomenon isn't just an aesthetic concern; it's a reflection of a broader trend in residential construction.

The Rise of Style-less Homes

In the United States, the architectural landscape has shifted dramatically over the past century. As of 2024, there are approximately 147 million housing units in the country (Statista). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 55% of all U.S. homes were built after 1970 (Census.gov). And with each passing decade, architectural coherence has declined.

Most new homes cannot be categorized into any clear stylistic tradition. They borrow a gable from one style, a column from another, and trim from a third. These homes are not rooted in place or principle. They are product-driven, value-engineered shells—designed by committee, optimized for cost, and guided more by the whims of real estate marketing than by architectural thought.

This trend can be attributed to several factors:

• Mass Production: The post-World War II housing boom led to the rapid construction of homes, prioritizing quantity over quality.

• Economic Considerations: Developers often opt for cost-effective designs that appeal to a broad market, sacrificing architectural integrity.

• Lack of Architectural Oversight: An overwhelming percentage of residential developments are produced without the involvement of licensed architects (even though that may not help considering only a handful of schools teach any foundations in traditional architecture)  There's a reason our world is pretty ugly. 

  
  

The Consequences of Architectural Ambiguity

When we lose style, we lose memory. The erosion of stylistic coherence strips neighborhoods of cultural meaning. Homes no longer reflect the traditions of their region or the craftsmanship of previous generations. Instead, they become disposable products—temporary and context-less.

This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about belonging. Style-less neighborhoods often feel adrift because they don’t speak any clear architectural language. There’s no continuity between past and present. No thread of memory. No sense of cultural rootedness.

The Problem with Contextualism

In response to this, many planners and HOAs lean heavily on "contextualism"—the idea that new buildings should visually conform to their surroundings. At first glance, this seems reasonable. Shouldn’t new homes fit in?

But here’s the problem: what if the context is bad?

If every surrounding building is poorly proportioned, cheaply detailed, and stylistically confused, why should we match it? Contextualism, taken too far, becomes a self-reinforcing cycle of mediocrity. Instead of correcting the errors of past decades, we replicate them—because “that’s what’s already there.”

Most HOA design guidelines are perfect examples of contextualism gone wrong. They prohibit risk. They reward imitation. They enforce sameness—not through thoughtful stylistic control, but through restrictive checklists and ill-informed rules.

What you get is a street full of houses that "fit in" but say nothing. They conform but don’t inspire. They copy context without improving it.

A Better Alternative: Timeless Principles Over Surface Context

We need a different framework. One that values beauty over conformity, authenticity over trend, clarity over clutter.

Timeless principles give us that framework:

• Simple massing with Proportion creates harmony.

• Order through visual hierarchy creates legibility.

• Utilization of natural materials builds dignity.

• Well proportioned and placed details reflect care and craft.

When we design from these principles, we don’t need to imitate what’s around us. We elevate it. We anchor new architecture in a deeper truth—one that transcends style and speaks across generations.

Monument Avenue: A Model of Harmonious Diversity

Richmond, Virginia's Monument Avenue is a living example of how diverse styles can coexist beautifully when governed by shared principles. The homes along this historic boulevard represent a wide range of styles—Colonial Revival, Beaux-Arts, Mediterranean, Tudor, and more. And yet, the street feels cohesive.

Why?

Because while the styles vary, the fundamentals remain consistent:

• Each house speaks a similar architectural language founded in tradition.

• Building heights are at a comfortable scale with proper visual hierarchy in their elevation designs.

• Materials are rich, natural, and authentic.

• Details are proportioned and disciplined.

The result is a visual symphony—a variety of architectural voices singing in harmony because they’re all playing the same key.

Final Thoughts: Context Is Not the Goal—Beauty Is

Context matters. But it is not sacred. We are not bound to repeat mistakes just because they’re nearby. A truly timeless building doesn’t ignore its surroundings—but it also doesn’t bow to them blindly.

What we need is courage—to build better than what’s next door. To hold ourselves to higher standards than the status quo. To let timeless principles, not trendy context, be our guide.

Because when we do that—when we design with clarity, proportion, integrity, and care—we don’t just fit in.

We make places worth remembering.