Steve Kapsinow (bio)

The organization's manifesto claims that "led by developers, the home construction bonanza is driven by dollars and not by concerns about design integrity, human safety and well-being, and environmental sustainability."

According to the article, "Dickinson said there is need for better homes that don’t break the bank for average buyers. There is also a need to offer the same level of services, and thus quality of living, to low-income families and groups who can’t afford the high cost of hiring an architect and building a new home."

Whether it's fashion, architecture, graphic design, etc., I'm a big believer of good design for all for many reasons, but primarily because when rich folk are the only ones who can afford good design, it actually cheapens and obscures it. Good design becomes a superficial luxury, not a necessity, and then we don't value it as much. It becomes obscured because we then associate good design with size. We think anything that is big is well designed, whether it's a McMansion or a castle. And then it's the size we desire.

I'm glad to see Dickinson say that a well-designed home that caters to a family's individual needs is much better than a cookie cutter McMansion, and I applaud his organization for trying to educate and reach out to the public about this issue.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in CORA, have them check out their website. It contains valuable resources, news, a mission statement, and info on different ways to get involved—either as an architect, related creative professional, or homeowner.