Can we ever isolate thinking about architecture from the wider cultural context?
No, I don’t think so. Some architecture is consciously influenced by the zeitgeist – think of the Bauhaus and Le Corbusier in relation to fascism, for example – or “Soviet realism” – or the concept of a remote, lordly god implied by Gothic and Perpendicular churches. Or think of the way some modern cities compete to build the tallest skyscraper in their continent or the world. Or the extravagance conveyed by recent ‘desert city’ building in Dubai. People with money often like to show off by building something they think of as imposing. On the other hand you get buildings that are beautiful, yet distinctive. Take a look at the mosques, Gurdwaras and Hindu temples that you can see on a drive through Southall and towards the Western International Market in London, for example. On the one hand, a clear cultural statement in the tradition of their religion. On the other hand, a work of art with an eye for loveliness. Think of everyday housing too. When builders built suburban houses in the
