The dehumanization of architecture

Modern buildings do not easily harmonize with other buildings, regardless of whether the latter are themselves modern. This often-observed fact so far has not received a satisfactory explanation. To improve on existing explanations, this paper first generalizes an observation of Ortega Y. Gasset's concerning modern fine art, and then develops a metaphysics of styles that is inspired by work in the philosophy of biology. The resulting explanation is that modern architecture is incapable of developing patterns that facilitate harmonizing, because such patterns would humanize buildings, while modern architecture is a homeostatic property cluster with a dehumanizing motive at its core.