McMansions 101: What Makes a McMansion Bad Architecture?

# Summary McMansions are considered poor architecture because they violate fundamental design principles such as proper massing (balancing primary and secondary structural elements), balance (symmetry or visual equilibrium), proportion (appropriate relationships between parts), and rhythm (repetitive elements that create harmony). McMansions typically suffer from excessive secondary masses that overwhelm the primary structure, too many windows and openings that create a "Swiss cheese" appearance, poor symmetrical balance with conflicting rooflines, and disproportionate elements that lack architectural harmony.