Cleanliness, Architecture, and Historical Contexts

This chapter explores the connection between architecture, cleanliness, and the historical backdrop of tuberculosis in Europe, highlighting how the disease influenced modernist design. It contrasts Victorian clutter with contemporary minimalism, critiquing the ostentatiousness of grand homes like Mar-a-Lago in light of changing cleanliness perceptions. The discussion also addresses the cultural narratives surrounding cleaning practices, emphasizing the balance needed between hygiene and compulsive behaviors fueled by societal pressures.