These buildings have an undeniable presence.

這些建築的存在感毋庸置疑。

They exude character, craftsmanship, and a level of detail that feels almost otherworldly in today's sea of cookie-cutter buildings.

在當今千篇一律的建築中，這些建築散發著個性、工藝和細節，讓人感覺恍如隔世。

It begs the question, why can't we build homes like we used to?

這就引出了一個問題：為什麼我們不能像過去那樣建造房屋？

To answer this question, we need to look at not just how homes were built, but why they were built the way they were, and how cultural, economic, and technological changes have reshaped the landscape of home construction.

要回答這個問題，我們不僅要研究房屋是如何建造的，還要研究為什麼要以這種方式建造房屋，以及文化、經濟和技術的變化如何重塑了房屋建造的格局。

Hi everyone, Ken here.

大家好，我是 Ken。

Welcome to This House.

歡迎來到這座房子。

Victorian-era homes and Gilded Age mansions weren't just buildings, they were statements.

維多利亞時代的住宅和鍍金時代的豪宅不僅是建築，更是宣言。

These homes were born in an era when craftsmanship reigned supreme, and a house was more than a place to live.

這些房屋誕生於一個工藝至上的時代，房屋不僅僅是一個居住的地方。

It was an expression of personal identity, social status, and even artistic ambition.

它是個人身份、社會地位甚至藝術抱負的一種表達。

For example, during the Victorian era, architectural styles were heavily influenced by Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and Second Empire movements.

例如，在維多利亞時代，建築風格深受哥特復興運動、安妮女王運動和第二帝國運動的影響。

Each characterized by ornate detailing, asymmetry, and layered textures.

每件作品都以華麗的細節、不對稱和多層次的紋理為特色。

Homes featured turrets, bay windows, intricate woodwork, and stained glass, design elements that were not merely aesthetic, but also symbolic of an era that valued uniqueness and human touch.

這些設計元素不僅具有美感，還象徵著一個重視獨特性和人情味的時代。

Similarly, the Gilded Age saw the rise of grandiose mansions that borrowed inspiration from European palaces.

同樣，鍍金時代也出現了從歐洲宮殿中汲取靈感的宏偉宅邸。

These homes boasted marble staircases, hand-carved moldings, and expansive ballrooms.

這些住宅擁有大理石樓梯、手工雕刻的裝飾和寬敞的舞廳。

Every detail, from the placement of a chandelier to the choice of floor tiles, was meticulously thought out.

從吊燈的擺放到地磚的選擇，每一個細節都經過精心考慮。

Fast forward to today, and homes have become far more practical, but arguably less soulful.

時至今日，住宅已變得更加實用，但也可以說不再那麼有靈魂。

Modern construction emphasizes efficiency, affordability, and functionality.

現代建築強調效率、經濟性和功能性。

Open floor plans, energy-efficient materials, and streamlined designs dominate the market.

開放式平面佈局、節能材料和流線型設計在市場上佔據主導地位。

While there's nothing inherently wrong with these priorities, they often come at the expense of the rich detailing and individuality that characterized older homes.

雖然這些優先事項本質上並沒有錯，但它們往往以犧牲老房子特有的豐富細節和個性為代價。

One of the biggest shifts has been the transition from artisanal craftsmanship to mass production.

最大的轉變之一就是從手工藝向大規模生產的過渡。

In the Victorian era, homes were often built by teams of skilled craftspeople who poured countless hours in hand-carving a single mill post or crafting custom-built cabinetry.

在維多利亞時代，住宅通常是由能工巧匠團隊建造的，他們花費無數時間手工雕刻一根磨柱或製作定製櫥櫃。

Today, these tasks are outsourced to machines or eliminated altogether to save on labor cost.

如今，這些工作已外包給機器或完全取消，以節省勞動力成本。

The result?

結果呢？

Homes that lack the intricate charm of their predecessors.

缺乏前人複雜魅力的住宅。

And let's not ignore the elephant in the room, money.

讓我們不要忽視房間裡的大象--錢。

Building a Victorian-style home today, with all its architectural flourishes, would be astronomically expensive.

如今建造一座維多利亞風格的住宅，其建築風格的繁複程度將是一個天文數字。

The labor cost alone would be prohibitive, let alone the price of high-quality materials.

光是勞動力成本就高得嚇人，更不用說高質量材料的價格了。

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, labor was relatively inexpensive, and the materials used, like solid wood and natural stone, were more readily available.

19 世紀末 20 世紀初，勞動力相對便宜，實木和天然石材等材料也更容易獲得。

Today, builders often opt for cost-effective alternatives like vinyl siding, engineered wood, and synthetic materials.

如今，建築商通常會選擇具有成本效益的替代品，如乙烯基護牆板、人造木材和合成材料。

While these substitutes can mimic the look of traditional materials, they often lack the same longevity and depth.

雖然這些替代品可以模仿傳統材料的外觀，但往往缺乏同樣的使用壽命和深度。

Additionally, modern homes were built to fit strict budgets and timelines, leaving little room for the bespoke touches that defined older architecture.

此外，現代住宅的建造需要滿足嚴格的預算和時間要求，是以幾乎沒有空間進行舊式建築的定製裝飾。

Another key factor is our shift in cultural preferences.

另一個關鍵因素是我們的文化偏好發生了變化。

In the Victorian era, homes were designed to accommodate formal entertaining, with separate spaces for dining, sitting, and receiving guests.

在維多利亞時代，住宅的設計是為了適應正式的娛樂活動，有獨立的用餐、休憩和接待客人的空間。

Privacy and formality were paramount, which is why these homes often featured multiple small rooms rather than large, open spaces.

私密性和正式性是最重要的，這就是為什麼這些住宅通常有多個小房間，而不是寬敞的開放空間。

Today, the way we live has changed dramatically.

如今，我們的生活方式發生了巨大變化。

Families now prefer open-concept designs that allow for easy flow between the kitchen, living, and dining areas.

現在的家庭更喜歡開放式的設計，使廚房、起居室和用餐區之間的流線更加順暢。

Practicality usually wins out over ornamentation.

實用性通常勝過裝飾性。

People are more interested in energy-efficient windows and smart home technology than stained glass or carved cornices.

與彩色玻璃或雕花飛簷相比，人們對節能窗戶和智能家居技術更感興趣。

Another reason we don't build homes like we used to is that we've lost much of the architectural literacy that once informed home design.

我們不再像過去那樣建造房屋的另一個原因是，我們已經失去了許多建築知識，而這些知識曾經是房屋設計的基礎。

In the past, architects and builders were deeply influenced by classical principles of proportion, symmetry, and ornamentation.

過去，建築師和建造者深受比例、對稱和裝飾等古典原則的影響。

These concepts were taught as part of a well-rounded education, even to those who weren't directly involved in construction.

這些概念是全面教育的一部分，即使是對那些沒有直接參與建築的人也是如此。

Today, architecture has largely moved away from these traditions in favor of modernist ideals that emphasize simplicity and functionality.

如今，建築在很大程度上已經擺脫了這些傳統，轉而追求強調簡潔性和功能性的現代主義理想。

While this shift has produced many innovative designs, it has also led to a disconnect from rich visual language of the past.

雖然這種轉變產生了許多創新設計，但也導致與過去豐富的視覺語言脫節。

So is it actually possible to build homes like we used to?

那麼，是否真的可以像過去那樣建造房屋呢？

In short, yes, but with some caveats.

簡而言之，是的，但有一些注意事項。

A growing number of architects and builders specialize in traditional designs, creating new homes that mimic the aesthetics of older styles while incorporating modern conveniences.

越來越多的建築師和建築商專門從事傳統設計，他們設計的新住宅既模仿了舊式風格的美感，又融入了現代便利設施。

However, these homes come at a premium and are often out of reach for the average homeowner.

然而，這些房屋價格昂貴，普通房主往往望塵莫及。

For those of us who can't afford to build from scratch, restoration and offer another path.

對於我們這些無力從頭開始的人來說，修復和提供了另一條道路。

Historic homes can be lovingly restored to their former glory, keeping the spirit of the past alive for future generations.

歷史悠久的房屋可以經過精心修復，恢復昔日的光彩，為後代保留過去的精神。

Perhaps the real challenge isn't to replicate the past, but to learn from it.

也許真正的挑戰不是複製過去，而是從中吸取教訓。

We may never return to an era where every home is a work of art, but we can strive to incorporate more beauty and craftsmanship into modern design.

我們可能再也回不到家家都是藝術品的時代，但我們可以努力在現代設計中融入更多的美感和工藝。

By blending the best of both worlds, the efficiency of today with the artistry of yesterday, we can create homes that are not only functional, but also inspiring.

通過融合兩個世界的精華--當今的效率和過去的藝術性，我們可以創造出不僅實用，而且鼓舞人心的住宅。

So while we might lament the loss of intricate woodwork in grand parlors, the story isn't over.

是以，儘管我們可能會感嘆大客廳中複雜木製品的消失，但故事並沒有結束。

With a little creativity and a lot of heart, we can continue to build homes that reflect not just where we live, but who we are.

只要有一點創造力和一顆愛心，我們就能繼續建造出不僅反映我們的居住地，而且反映我們是誰的家園。

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject matter down below in the comments below.

和往常一樣，我很樂意在下面的評論中聽聽您對這一主題的看法。