Wallpaper* person

In Wallpaper* person: Notes on the Behaviour of a New Species, Neil Leach controversially suggests there is a new ‘type’ of person, an insincere person who lives a highly capitalist life of which architecture is merely a small acquisition on their way to a proper life (as defined by the magazine). While it seems unreasonable to derisively categorise a group of people based upon their choice of casual reading, a glance at the content of Wallpaper* gives insight into its content. Rather than explore a topic in depth, the magazine covers, fairly superficially, many topics such as architecture, interiors, fashion, travel, cars, beauty and the food and drinks you should be consuming, among others. Wallpaper* culture is the formation of an idealistic world, made up of nothing more than images and, consequently, false social expectations.

Not only does this apply to much of the western world, Leach says that it is beginning to pervade through architecture, beginning a dangerous progression. An architecture that has lost touch with reality, responding, not to site, but to a new 'reality' made up of photoshopped, counterfeit and overly-glamorous images, is worthless.

Where does architecture fit into western life? Does it mean anything special to employ an architect to design your home?