Architecture was pretty much the sexiest thing to be doing from 1700-1800.
The quote by Kevin McCloud, "Architecture was pretty much the sexiest thing to be doing from 1700–1800," is a witty yet insightful reflection on the cultural prestige of architecture during the 18th century. McCloud, best known as the host of the television series Grand Designs, uses the word “sexiest” to suggest that architecture during this era was not only highly respected but also deeply fashionable, influential, and aspirational. Being an architect was seen as being at the cutting edge of culture, science, and art.
From 1700 to 1800, architecture was indeed undergoing a transformative period marked by the rise of Neoclassicism, the influence of the Enlightenment, and the refinement of urban planning. Architects such as Robert Adam, Étienne-Louis Boullée, and Giovanni Battista Piranesi were considered visionary figures, blending aesthetic beauty with mathematical precision and philosophical ideals. Architecture was seen not just as construction, but as an expression of reason, power, and civic identity.
McCloud’s quote also implies a contrast with the modern perception of architecture. While still important today, architecture may not always enjoy the same glamour or status it once held. In the 18th century, it was central to intellectual discourse and public life—a sign of progress, taste, and enlightenment values. Architects were shaping the very identity of nations, designing grand public buildings, palaces, and urban boulevards that embodied the ideals of the time.
Ultimately, McCloud’s remark is both humorous and historically grounded. It celebrates a time when architecture was at the forefront of innovation, playing a key role in shaping the visual and cultural landscape of the modern world. His words remind us of architecture’s potential not only to build, but to inspire, elevate, and lead cultural movements.
NTThanh Nguyen Trong
This quote is a great conversation starter. It makes me think about the personalities behind the buildings—people like Palladio or Ledoux who were innovating not just structurally, but philosophically. Is McCloud pointing to a time when architecture was at the heart of humanist and Enlightenment thinking? If so, what happened? Did architecture become too commercial or too technical to retain its artistic mystique? I'd love to hear more about that historical trajectory.
LTLan Anh Le Thi
McCloud’s quote is playful, but it makes me think seriously about how cultural priorities shift. If architecture was once viewed with such high esteem, what professions would hold that title today? Tech? Media? Could architecture ever reclaim that level of cultural excitement, especially in an age where environmental design and sustainable urbanism are increasingly urgent? Maybe the sexiness lies in its potential to solve 21st-century problems.
HHan
I can't help but wonder who exactly found architecture 'sexy' in the 1700s. Was this excitement reserved for elite circles—patrons, nobility, and academics—or did everyday people engage with architecture in a meaningful way too? It’s fascinating to think about how public perception of a profession changes over time. What shifted culturally that made architecture less of a societal fascination in later centuries?
NBphan nha binh
I get the impression McCloud is being a bit cheeky here, but there's a kernel of truth that makes this worth unpacking. What was it about that era that elevated architecture to such cultural prominence? Was it the patronage of royalty, the rise of neoclassicism, or the ambition to shape whole cities? And how does that compare to how we value architects today? Have we lost some of that cultural appreciation?
THDo Thi Huong
This quote made me smile—it’s such a bold and unexpected way to frame architecture! But now I’m genuinely curious: was architecture really seen as glamorous or influential during that period? Were architects considered celebrities of their time, like musicians or athletes today? I'd love to know what made the profession so desirable or fashionable in the 1700s and 1800s. Was it the social status, the creativity, or the connection to power and empire?