I agree, I've never been a fan of Gehry or Liebeskind or any of the other "designer" architects out there. I use the word designer here in the same way one would refer to designer jeans. Its a fad and people only like it because its cool to like it.

Architecture that is timeless follows rules that have been around since somebody first propped up sticks against a horizontal log and called it shelter. The rules change as we get used to seeing new things. Those Flying buttresses on the old churches were once buttresses which once were simple pilasters. there is an evolution to it as new materials and methods came into being. Always there was a purpose though. The Buttress blocked light from getting into the windows, so they started punching holes into the buttress to allow more light in.

We now live in a time when anything can be constructed. However the reasons to do them have been forgotten. It isn't just the Designer Architects either. I see stuff locally on little strip malls that makes me cringe as well. For instance, the GlueLam beam is a time tested structural object which we can all accept. A Beam needs support from walls or columns, but can also cantilever. While it is possible to use a beam and support it off of a wall without columns, I believe it shouldn't be done. There is a store near my home that has a nice looking entry canopy using Glue-lams, but when they built a small canopy hanging off the side of the building over the drive up window, they suspended a Glu-Lam there as well. It just looks wrong to have a Glue-lam suspended in space. It would have been better to construct it completely out of steel, because steel doesn't follow the same rules as wood. I should snap a picture of it next time I'm in the neighborhood.

Its about time Gehry got sued. Nobody wants to live in Toon town.