Lifestyle

Making Modern Architecture More Functional and Less Phony

Published

5 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

Never Too Late: G.A. Sallee’s Debut Thriller Is an Ode to Creative Timing

Published

5 days ago

October 7, 2025

Michelle Langton

G.A. Sallee’s journey to authorship didn’t begin in a college writing class or with a publishing contract in hand. It began with a lifelong love of storytelling, set aside during his military service. Now, with the release of his debut novel, True Crime: Fact or Fiction, Sallee proves that creative callings don’t come with expiration dates.

Writing Without a Deadline

Sallee first discovered his passion for writing in high school, but like many, life pulled him in different directions. Service in the U.S. Army, marriage, and the everyday responsibilities of adulthood filled the years. But the spark remained.

“Once I started again, it took on a life of its own,” he says. “Halfway through, I realized I was writing a real book.”

That realization mirrors a broader shift in the publishing world. According to Publishers’ Weekly, more than 60% of debut authors today are over the age of 40. Sallee joins this wave with a novel that’s both personal and poignant, shaped by experience and driven by heart.

Inside the Pages of True Crime: Fact or Fiction

The story centers on podcaster Scott Townsend, whose true crime series leads him to investigate a 5-year-old cold case. But when he uncovers a second murder echoing the first, his pursuit of the truth becomes increasingly dangerous. What started as a strategy to grow his audience spirals into something far more threatening.

As Scott’s motives shift and his safety unravels, the novel asks timely questions: When does storytelling cross the line into obsession? And what happens when the pursuit of justice becomes personal?

The title isn’t just about the podcast content: it reflects the uncertainty surrounding Scott’s own reality. Readers are invited to question what’s real, what’s constructed, and how far someone will go for the sake of a story.

A Life That Informs the Work

Sallee served in the Iraq War and currently lives in South Carolina with his wife, Sandrice, and their three dogs. His experiences inform his writing in quiet, powerful ways. Themes of duty, perseverance, and emotional complexity run through the narrative, lending it depth without ever becoming heavy-handed.

“My dog Jake would lie on my lap while I wrote. I’d type on his back for hours,” he recalls. That simple image speaks volumes about the warmth and humanity behind the suspense.

Beyond the military and family life, Sallee’s writing space is steeped in personal meaning. Surrounded by loved ones and memories, he crafts stories that are as much about human nature as they are about crime and mystery.

A Story That Resonates Beyond the Page

In a market often driven by fast-paced trends and debut authors in their twenties, Sallee’s voice offers something different: perspective. His storytelling isn’t flashy, but focused, clear, and emotionally grounded. Readers looking for depth over drama will find a welcome space here.

He writes not just to tell a story but to connect. ‘I want people to feel like they’re part of my journey,” he says.

What’s Next

While Sallee dreams of reaching bestseller lists and publishing more novels, his real success is in showing what’s possible when passion meets perseverance. His book is a reminder to anyone feeling the urge to create – there’s no wrong time to begin. Each word written is a step toward something meaningful.

If you’re searching for your next thriller or murder mystery with substance and heart, True Crime: Fact or Fiction deserves a place on your shelf.

You can learn more and follow G.A. Sallee’s journey at gasallee.com.