The innovative spirit was America's strongest attribute, transforming everything into a brave new world, but there lingered an insecurity about the arts.

The Renaissance is studded by the names of the artists and architects, with their creations recorded as great historical events.

With production alone as the goal, industry in North America was dominated by the assembly line, standardization for mass consumption.

Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.

The Achilles Heel of the Americas was the lack of cultural confidence typical of new settlers.

In those countries with centuries of a craft tradition behind their building methods, techniques are tightly coordinated under the direction of the architect.

No wonder the film industry started in the desert in California where, like all desert dwellers, they dream their buildings, rather than design them.