Why does Greenough object to American architects borrowing styles from Europe? Which of his reasons do you consider valid, and which are unconvincing?

The main objection Greenough has to American architects borrowing styles from Europe is that these styles are unsuited for the American background which is vast, open and different from Europe in terms of climate. Furthermore, unlike the religiously homogenous states in Europe, America is very diverse and therefore much of ecclesiastical architecture has no application. Furthermore the author sees the misappropriation of designs for purposes other than their original purpose as the surest sign of decline. I am not convinced that the issue of appropriateness of a certain kind of architecture to its purpose is a legitimate objection. Consider for example the rotunda of the Capitol Hill and compare it to the Vatican City's architecture.

Fathy:

Why does Fathy consider the plant is a good analogy for how architecture interacts with its environment? What does he think is wrong with looking at buildings as machines?

Plants are a good analogy to architecture's interaction with the environment because plants are attuned to their environment and climatic conditions. They are constantly interacting with their environment and have- to use the words of the writer- "heat and water economies." A machine in the view of the author is entirely independent of its environment, which is something a good building cannot afford to be. A building has to exist harmoniously with its environment for actual living and breathing individuals using it to exist harmoniously with microclimates and with their environment. A good example of this is "smart architecture"...

What problems can arise from ignoring this relationship? What does this suggest about the use of uniform building types in varied locations?
The uniform modern architecture is likely to ignore the climate and environmental conditions which would make such building types to stick up like a sore thumb. Denuded of the many advantages that are germane to the region from which a particular form of architecture emerges, uniform modern architecture would affect microclimates and would require excessive power and fuel expense to keep the building cooled in hot climates and heated in cold climates.

My personal definition of Architecture:

Since the beginning of this course, my idea of architecture has undergone some what of change. To begin with, I now believe that architecture is representative something deeper within -- no doubt it arises from an urge to control our environment and to provide physical comfort by shielding one's self from the elements but it is something more. As human beings we crave security and we crave aesthetically pleasing environment. Architecture to me -- in the final assessment- is the sum total of our creative and aesthetic senses combined with our physiological needs of security and well being. Architecture is something quite more than "standard of life package." It is a monument to us as human beings -- individually that we were once here and that we too once felt what it is that human beings feel.