The Myth of the "Best House Design" Competition
I have recently noticed how the internet is increasingly populated by pronouncements of 'Best House Design,' 'Most Innovative Home,' or 'Ultimate Lifestyle Design.' These titles, while effective at capturing attention and driving engagement within the vast sea of online content, compel us to scrutinize their underlying premise. Does a singular, objectively 'best house design' truly exist, or is this a fundamentally flawed concept that oversimplifies the complex relationship between people, place, and shelter? My assertion is that the notion of a universal "best house design" is not only unattainable but also conceptually misleading. It strips the architectural object of its intrinsic connection to its purpose and its environment. To understand why, we must move beyond the idea of a house as a static ideal and see it, as suggested, much like a bespoke garment. A suit is not "best" in the abstract; it is best for the person wearing it,...