ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

New York Architecture: From Delirium to Banality

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

Thirty years after Rem Koolhaas's famous manifesto, New York's architectural creativity has given way to banality and repetition, originality to luxury, and reflection to money. Prestigious names persist but their distinctiveness is no longer convincing, while a few lesser-known agencies produce more innovative works.

Key facts

  • Thirty years after Rem Koolhaas's manifesto
  • New York no longer delirious
  • Architectural creativity replaced by banality and repetition
  • Originality replaced by luxury
  • Reflection replaced by money
  • Prestigious names persist but lack distinctiveness
  • Some lesser-known agencies produce innovative works

Entities

Artists

  • Rem Koolhaas

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources