The 'International Style of Modernism' came with the advent of building services. In the end, the architecture became like a container space, essentially like a boring box with a basement full of machinery to make it inhabitable. As a result, buildings literally started to look identical all over the planet.

The quote by Bjarke Ingels — "The 'International Style of Modernism' came with the advent of building services. In the end, the architecture became like a container space, essentially like a boring box with a basement full of machinery to make it inhabitable. As a result, buildings literally started to look identical all over the planet." — is a critique of the homogenization of modern architecture. Ingels argues that with the rise of modernist principles and reliance on technological infrastructure (like HVAC, lighting, and plumbing), buildings became functionally efficient but aesthetically monotonous. The focus shifted away from regional identity and cultural context, reducing architecture to a generic shell dependent on mechanical systems for livability.

By describing buildings as container spaces and boring boxes, Ingels is emphasizing how many modern structures lost their expressiveness and engagement with the environment. The International Style, while groundbreaking in its time, prioritized minimalism, glass and steel, and the idea of universal design, which often resulted in uniformity across different geographies. Instead of responding to climate, local culture, or community needs, buildings began to look the same in New York, Tokyo, or São Paulo—void of uniqueness or narrative.

The origin of this quote reflects Bjarke Ingels’s architectural philosophy, which centers on creating playful, sustainable, and context-driven designs. As the founder of BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), he has consistently challenged conventional modernism, proposing a new model where form follows fun, and architecture adapts to human experience, climate, and local character. His critique of modernism stems from his belief that buildings should be more than efficient machines—they should be vibrant parts of life and culture.

Ultimately, Ingels is advocating for a reinvigoration of architectural identity, where design does not default to sterile templates but instead embraces diversity, innovation, and emotional connection. This quote is a call to reimagine architecture not just as infrastructure, but as a meaningful and localized art form that enhances how people live and relate to their surroundings.