pg wrote about this a couple years back. big-boxy architecture of american suburbia vs all the diverse architectural styles in europe/asia etc. in many parts of costarica, panama & especially in upscale indian houses, the house looks more like an art project. i’ve been to houses with what would be called gaudy colors - blood red, bright yellow, parrot green walls. non-square rooms, oval spaces with arches and round pillars inside the house. in those places, people use their art skills not just on canvas but also in living spaces. it might not look conventionally pretty, but everybody gets a say - like in the kitchen, my mom had holes of different shapes in the wall, so bottles of different sizes fit into specific holes. no actual shelves! i wanted a table so i got a table built of concrete and cement! just put a tablecloth on top. no need to buy a table, table was an actual part of the house itself. i’ve been to bathrooms with a raised mound of cement to hold pots of water. you carry water from well and you can place the pot with water on the raised mound without bending down all the way to the floor. very thoughtful ideas.