Finding yourself in a good work of modern architecture is akin to reading a good novel. Both need to be rich enough in content and finely enough crafted to hold your attention. A novel may be well written but if it has nothing more to say for itself than technique it is called “empty prose.” If a building has nothing more to say for itself than visual pleasure it can be called handsome but superficial. 

The world abounds in both empty novels and superficial buildings. But on occasion a book or building stands out because the ideas that it proposes are significant. They make a difference in how we understand ourselves and the world around us. We all know when in the presence of such works. They are the magic products of any creative discipline that bring something substantial to the table. They are works that are worth talking about.