The Building Culture Podcast

#40 Inflation, Architecture, and the Death of Beautiful Buildings - a Yoeman Podcast Guest Episode

May 1, 2025

Join economist Saifedean Ammous, architect Jaime Izurieta, and builder Austin Tunnell as they dissect the decline of architectural beauty in modern society. They explore how money and time preferences impact our built environment, contrasting today’s disposable designs with the enduring structures of the early 1900s. The conversation dives into the effects of inflation on housing, the challenges posed by regulations, and how Bitcoin could reshape our economic landscape. Discover why your grandparents' post office outshines today's civic centers!

01:20:56

Creator website

Episode guests

Jaime Izurieta

Austin Tunnel

Saifedean Ammous

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The historical context of early 20th-century architecture showcases a time when local communities prioritized beauty and durability over immediacy in construction.

The podcast discusses the impact of monetary policy on architecture, revealing how inflation encourages a focus on short-term gains at the expense of lasting quality.

Current regulatory environments create barriers that stifle innovation and creativity in building, leading to a prevalence of utilitarian structures devoid of cultural significance.

Deep dives

Changing Perspectives on Housing

The perception of housing has shifted significantly, increasingly being viewed as a consumption good rather than an investment asset. This perspective emphasizes the immediate satisfaction of aesthetics and comfort, focusing on how a house feels and looks today rather than its long-term viability or financial return. The discussion highlights how contemporary buildings often prioritize short-term desires, leading to construction that is seen as disposable and lacking in enduring beauty. This phenomenon reflects a broader cultural trend influenced by financial systems that encourage immediate gratification over thoughtful long-term investment in the built environment.

Intro

4min

From Historic Charm to Modern Mediocrity

18min

Money, Regulation, and Architecture

18min

Innovative Design Solutions for Egress Requirements

1min

Inflation, Housing, and Energy: A Complex Landscape

22min

The Value of Saving in Economic Theories

11min

Bitcoin: A Catalyst for Personal Transformation

4min

Geopolitical Conflicts and Economic Justifications

2min

A hundred years ago, people in small towns were building things that still stop us in our tracks. Two-story brick shops on the corner of Main and Commerce. Sturdy. Modest. Enduring. And beautiful.

So the question is: what changed?

I joined Geoff Graham on his Yeoman podcast, alongside Jaime Izurieta and Saifedean Ammous (author of The Bitcoin Standard), to try and unpack that question.

We talk about why the small towns of the early 1900s could build beautiful things without credentialed architects, starchitects, or REIT funding... and why today, with all our global supply chains and five-star consultants, we mostly build disposable boxes.

Turns out, there’s a connection between money, time preference, and architecture. And when the money got funny, everything else started to crack too – our neighborhoods, our supply chains, even our standards for beauty.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation that touches on architecture, monetary policy, code creep, and how the over-financialization of everything is eroding our ability to build for the long haul.

Take a listen if you’ve ever wondered why your grandparents' post office looks better than your city’s new civic center.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Changing Landscape of Building and Time Preference

02:51 Exploring the Intersection of Money and Architecture

05:57 Historical Context: Building in Early 20th Century America

09:01 The Role of Local Materials and Community in Architecture

11:54 Understanding Time Preference and Its Impact on Building

15:09 The Influence of Monetary Policy on Architectural Beauty

17:50 The Shift from Hard Money to Inflationary Currency

21:03 Regulatory Challenges and Their Impact on Construction

23:57 The Disparity Between Wealth and Money

26:56 The Future of Architecture in an Inflationary Economy