Lifestyle

Making Modern Architecture More Functional and Less Phony

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2021

Modern architecture is becoming overly decorative at the expense of functionality. Folks continue to add faux touches or cheap materials to structures only for decoration and appearance. The following should help you see why modern architecture needs to change and go back to being functional.

Usefulness

Many nonfunctioning building elements are potentially hazardous and unhealthy. For instance, windows that can’t open from the inside. In the event of an AC malfunction on a hot summer day, functional windows help maintain airflow while waiting for air conditioning repair technicians. They also provide a means of escape in case of fire or other threats from within the building itself.

Interest

More people are interested in genuine architectural designs that are functional. It seems people want to feel like they are getting the most out of their investment, and this is something architects need to keep in mind when designing their next building. Folks who want functionality in every corner of their design are willing to pay for this, which should help reverse the current trend. In residential design more than ever, daring and stunning design are demanded by homeowners. Second hand stay markets like AirBNB and VRBO have made unique homes easy to monetize on a nightly basis, encouraging daring design instead of the same old single-family home.

Wise

Installing elements without purpose is starting to look like a waste of money to some folks. The problem is folks have gotten used to some of these elements as part of a home or commercial building. If they’re going to install them anyway, they might as well be useful. Power outages and other malfunctions are still possible, so having something like a natural fireplace as a backup makes sense.

Why Did it Become Phony?

There are several reasons why architecture became less functional and more decorative. The following are some of those reasons:

Inexpensive Materials

One reason contemporary architecture is overly decorative is that affordable material is available. Manufacturers continued to create more affordable materials that made it easier for folks to design buildings without expensive materials like brick. It should be pointed out that while brick is costly, it’s quite functional. For example, it seems to retain heat much better than other building materials.

Simplicity

The other reason architecture has gotten so decorative is that it’s easier to create buildings that look like they have functional additions, like windows that don’t do anything but look like a window. There are many examples of similar additions that remind you that this is a home or a building without really serving a function. Simplicity continues to rise in popularity because it’s cheaper to design and build.

Technology

Another reason homes and buildings have several different nonfunctional elements is because of technology. For example, creating heat using electricity or gas lines made it possible for folks to avoid the need for chimneys. Still, a lot of people install chimneys even if there isn’t a need. They install them because it makes their property look luxurious; sometimes, they even install a digital screen to replace firewood.

It’s easy to see why the phony elements became popular, but it’s easy to see why there’s a movement pushing back. There’s no telling which side will win; maybe it’ll be both, but it’s good to pay attention.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

3 days ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.