tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990818184521452285.post1293668146634422468..comments2023-10-22T08:07:49.340-05:00Comments on Oakhurst Historic District: What can be done under current zoning laws to ensure quality construction?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990818184521452285.post-30889356795190916052007-09-14T06:13:00.000-05:002007-09-14T06:13:00.000-05:00The American Dream...We Americans are an independe...The American Dream...<BR/><BR/>We Americans are an independent culture. We want to own our own property with our dog, the 2.5 kids, and a giant flat screen TV. We are typically more concerned about the things in our "crib" than the "crib" it's self. Have you ever watched MTV's Cribs? It's about the stuff and not the house. I have yet to see any of these stars in a beautifully designed house. Our society has become so materialistic and self centered that we tend to focus only on the surface and not the substance. Young teenage girls are getting boob jobs with parental permission, people are shooting botox like a junkie, and we're so lazy we need to diet with a pill rather than eating right and exercising. In this age of "reality entertainment" and instant baked stars, it is clear that creative integrity is no longer prized in this country. We are now seeing the effects of removing art and music from the education system along with an MTV/Playstation induced ADD.<BR/><BR/>People in this culture simply don't value good design because it is not a surface or material, rather it's a concept. No one wants to spend several thousand dollars on a good design, that eats into the tile budget. The bank doesn't consider design fees when valuing new/renovated construction. The Architecture is an added expense like gold leaf. It doesn't provide appraisal value, but it adds expense for the owner. Most people won't think twice about buying a stock plan off the shelf or using a plan that the contractor repeats 1500 times. THIS IS THE PROBLEM PEOPLE!!! How can an off the shelf design fit into a particular setting, like Oakhurst. Residential American Architecture has become generic!!! The community can pressure builders to do better. Consider renovating! Higher an experienced Architect or Residential Designer and do a great job with your design first, then build it well! In this financial climate where lending is going to get tougher before better, many builders are sitting on inventory. They are always watching competition and copying each other in order to catch the next trend early. STOP USING STOCK HOUSE PLANS!!! STOP BUYING HOUSES MADE FROM STOCK PLANS!!! SET AN EXAMPLE ON YOUR STREET!!!IT'S ABOUT THE DESIGN, NOT THE STUFF!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com