The Misguided Aspirations in Architecture
Architecture has always been a profession that balances art, function, and responsibility. Yet, in recent years, a dangerous trend has emerged—a growing obsession with large, extravagant homes as the pinnacle of architectural success. Young architects, students, and even the architectural media are increasingly falling into the trap of believing that size equals greatness, that luxury means excess, and that prestige is defined by large-scale, high-budget projects.
But is this really architecture’s highest calling? Or are we mistaking opulence for intelligence, scale for impact, and status for meaning?
This is a wake-up call.
The Myth of the Large Home
Why Are Large Homes Perceived as the Ultimate Achievement?
Young architects and students entering the profession often idolise senior architects and their portfolio of massive luxury residences. Media platforms like ArchDaily, Dezeen, and lifestyle publications reinforce this notion by glorifying sprawling mansions filled with imported materials, automation, and excessive space. What does this lead to?
- Architects measuring their success not by the impact of their work, but by the size and cost of their projects.
- Clients believing that a larger home is automatically better, ignoring function, efficiency, and sustainability.
- An industry that prioritises prestige over problem-solving, reinforcing architecture as an exclusive luxury product rather than a meaningful profession.
But let’s pause and ask a critical question: Do these large homes serve a deeper purpose, or are they simply overblown exercises in wealth display?
Understanding the Difference—Palaces vs. Modern Mansions
Historically, palaces served multiple functions:
- They were symbols of governance, cultural identity, and legacy.
- They accommodated multiple families, guests, ministers, and social gatherings.
- They employed local artisans, contributing to craftsmanship and regional identity.
- They were designed with passive cooling, courtyards, and climate-sensitive architecture.
Modern luxury mansions, in contrast:
- Serve only personal prestige, with little societal or cultural value.
- Are often isolated from the urban fabric, reducing interaction and community integration.
- Use highly unsustainable materials and energy-intensive systems.
- Often have excessive, underutilised spaces—multiple living rooms, unused entertainment spaces, oversized bathrooms.
We must question: Are we just designing private palaces for the ultra-rich, detached from any larger architectural or societal purpose?
The Responsibility of Architects
How Have Architects Contributed to This Trend?
It’s easy to blame clients for demanding large homes, but architects and designers are equally responsible for:
- Pushing grandiosity to build their portfolio and attract wealthy clients.
- Prioritising photogenic designs over livability.
- Underpricing smaller projects, making them financially unviable.
- Falling into the trap of media validation rather than architectural integrity.
The result? Architects chase prestige instead of problem-solving, and meaningful, compact, sustainable design gets ignored.
How Can Architects Take Back Control?
- Change the Narrative of Prestige – Success in architecture should not be defined by scale but by impact.
- Educate Clients on Smart Luxury – True luxury is efficient, high-quality, and intelligently designed spaces, not wasted square footage.
- Charge Properly for Small Projects – Many architects fail to make smaller projects profitable because they undervalue their expertise.
- Diversify Services Beyond Large Homes – Work with developers on boutique sustainable housing, urban infill projects, and innovative prefabrication.
- Design for the Future, Not Just Today’s Market Trends – Architects must stop being merely service providers for the ultra-rich and reclaim their role as thought leaders shaping cities and communities.
The Role of Architectural Media – A Call for Change
How Media Reinforces the Problem
Publications like ArchDaily, Dezeen, and luxury lifestyle magazines fuel this obsession with large homes by:
- Consistently publishing high-budget, extravagant residences over thoughtful, compact, and sustainable projects.
- Prioritising visual spectacle over functional intelligence.
- Creating false aspirations among young architects, leading them to chase projects that may not align with responsible design principles.
Demand Architectural Media
The role of architectural media in shaping architectural discourse is powerful. Remind them if they continue glorification of excess contributes to a profession that is losing touch with sustainability, urban responsibility, and ethical design.
Write and ask media to:
- Start featuring projects that challenge norms – Highlight smart, efficient homes that prove luxury doesn’t mean waste.
- Give space to young architects creating meaningful work – Not just those working on elite, high-end projects.
- Showcase alternative business models – How firms are thriving with sustainability-focused and community-driven work.
- Celebrate problem-solving over aesthetic grandeur – The true hallmark of architecture is not just how a building looks, but how it serves people and place.
The Path Forward – What Young Architects Should Do
A Clear Call to Action
- Rethink what defines success – True success in architecture is measured by impact, not scale. The world needs architects who design with intelligence, responsibility, and a sense of purpose.
- Educate and challenge clients – Shift conversations from "bigger is better" to "better is better." Help them see the long-term value of smart, well-designed spaces over excessive, wasteful luxury.
- Break free from outdated industry norms – Do not let mainstream media or elite architects define your aspirations. Create your own architectural identity based on logic, sustainability, and purpose.
- Lead with innovation, not imitation – Be bold in designing energy-efficient, compact, and functional spaces. Architecture should solve real problems, not just be a spectacle for admiration.
- Take control of your professional narrative – Use social platforms, independent publishing, and exhibitions to showcase your philosophy of meaningful design. Create a new movement of architecture that prioritises people and the environment.
The Ultimate Challenge for Young Architects
When you retire, what do you want to be remembered for?
Designing a series of massive, forgettable mansions?
Or
Pioneering a shift towards smarter, sustainable, and impactful architecture?