As of late, there are lots of utopian places and designs constructed. For example, asymmetrical design, floor to ceiling windows, steel, and abundant brightness. Yet, even though the design looks beautiful superficially, and wonderful, it feels very unnatural in bizarre, in an unsettling way. Why is this?

Fractal and natural designs are more beautiful, and calming

When things are built bottom up, they typically do not obey any sort of natural growth laws. They do not grow in natural fractal, biological, bottom up ways. Rather, the utopian architect and designer has a grand vision, and constructs it.

What is the result? People are forced to interact with these artificially constructed places in predetermineistic, and unnatural ways. I believe the result is the feeling of a place being unsettling, and uncomfortable in a bad way.

What then is a better approach?

I wonder if it is better to just have a carte blanche piece of land, and just allow developers have a free-for-all, and to see what kind of architecture is grown. I believe this is how architecture and city planning in Paris happens, and as well as London.

On the other hand, think of an unnatural and unselling place, like Brazilia in Brazil. Totally built top down, a concrete utopia. Nobody likes it.

Returning to nature

In terms of landscape, one of my new favorite places on planet earth is Joshua tree. There is something very beautiful about the ruthless landscape in the desert, especially the boulders and rocks.

Then perhaps, if we seek a more beautiful area, maybe it is better for us to just build invisible structures, in the middle of the desert, or in the middle of the mountains, or in the middle of the forest. To prefer natural landscapes, and build around it, rather than building utopic structures in the city.

For example, the invisible house in Joshua tree, Yucca Valley.

My ideal home as being a glass cube, surrounded by some beautiful landscape.