---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In alarming proportions the following…"
description: "\"In alarming proportions the following words have disappeared from architectural publications: beauty, inspiration, magic, sorcery, enchantment, and als..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png"
---

#  In alarming proportions the following words have…

![“In alarming proportions the following words have disappeared from architectural publications: beauty, inspiration, magic, sorcery, enchantment, and also serenity, mystery, silence, privacy, astonishment. All of these have found a loving home in my soul.” quote by Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png)

> “In alarming proportions the following words have disappeared from architectural publications: beauty, inspiration, magic, sorcery, enchantment, and also serenity, mystery, silence, privacy, astonishment. All of these have found a loving home in my soul.”

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Modern architecture has lost poetic qualities like beauty and mystery, which the author now cherishes personally.

**In simple terms:** Architecture lacks beauty, magic, and mystery today.

Key Takeaway

Seek to reintegrate poetic elements in design.

Themes

architecture beauty creativity culture inspiration

Mood

reflective nostalgic

Type

artistic inspirational

When to use this quote

- design workshops
- public exhibitions
- educational programs
- client briefs

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory emotional design architectural heritage

Questions to Reflect On

- How can designers balance function with poetic expression?
- What impact does beauty have on occupants’ wellbeing?

A Different Perspective

Critics may view such qualities as subjective and non-essential.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Astonishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Enchantment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enchantment/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Loving home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-home/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Privacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privacy/) [Serenity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serenity/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Sorcery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorcery/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/)

## Related quotes

> [I have difficulties with contemporary language. Big difficulties. I counted, you know, something like 160 words have disappeared from the English language because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/i-have-difficulties-with-contemporary-language-big-difficulties-i/)

[Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/)

> [“Just as I had always feared your precious words they disappeared into my mind as I went blind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-dare/just-as-i-had-always-feared-your-precious-words-they-disappeared-into/)

Douglas Dare

> [I think that the ideal space must contain elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/i-think-that-the-ideal-space-must-contain-elements-of-magic-serenity/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [We can't take a step backwards when we've already made so many strides forward. I was raised by gay men and women...it's who I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/we-can-t-take-a-step-backwards-when-we-ve-already-made-so-many/)

[Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/)

> [“Giving Thanks unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have, no matter how little, into more than enough. It turns denial into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-d-longoria-jr/giving-thanks-unlocks-the-fullness-of-life-it-turns-what-we-have-no/)

[Raymond D. Longoria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-d-longoria-jr/)

> [What I want for children in our country and around the world is safe, stable and loving homes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bush/what-i-want-for-children-in-our-country-and-around-the-world-is-safe/)

[Laura Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bush/)

> [“The girls that are wanted are good girls Good from the heart to the lips Pure as the lily is white and pure From…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-h-gray/the-girls-that-are-wanted-are-good-girls-good-from-the-heart-to-the/)

J.H.Gray

> [“Beside the kit she’d put together were several books, and because he was reluctant to open the sealed plastic container and look at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/beside-the-kit-she-d-put-together-were-several-books-and-because-he/)

[Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/)

> [We must work tirelessly to make sure that every boy and girl in America who is up for adoption has a family waiting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/we-must-work-tirelessly-to-make-sure-that-every-boy-and-girl-in/)

[William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/)

> [I love spreading the word and encouraging people to adopt from their local shelters. There are so many wonderful animals waiting for loving homes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ostrosky-stern/i-love-spreading-the-word-and-encouraging-people-to-adopt-from-their/)

[Beth Ostrosky Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ostrosky-stern/)

> [I believe there are too many children who need loving parents to deny one group of people adoption rights. A child will benefit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-believe-there-are-too-many-children-who-need-loving-parents-to-deny/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [I was blessed to be adopted into a loving home where they taught me faith, family, freedom and hard work are the most reliable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/i-was-blessed-to-be-adopted-into-a-loving-home-where-they-taught-me/)

[Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/)

> [There are far too many children in America in need of a loving home who are shuttled between temporary homes and group shelters that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-musgrove/there-are-far-too-many-children-in-america-in-need-of-a-loving-home/)

[Ronnie Musgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-musgrove/)

> [“made her realise, again, how lucky she’d been to grow up in a secure, loving home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hilary/made-her-realise-again-how-lucky-she-d-been-to-grow-up-in-a-secure/)

[Sarah Hilary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hilary/)

> [I completely appreciate the importance of fathers but millions of children are without loving homes. I think a child is lucky with one parent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-michaels/i-completely-appreciate-the-importance-of-fathers-but-millions-of/)

[Jillian Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-michaels/)

## More by Luis Barragan

> [Art is made by the alone for the alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/art-is-made-by-the-alone-for-the-alone/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [I don't divide architecture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/i-don-t-divide-architecture-landscape-and-gardening-to-me-they-are-one/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [It is essential to an architect to know how to see: I mean to see in such a way that the vision is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/it-is-essential-to-an-architect-to-know-how-to-see-i-mean-to-see-in/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [In the creation of a garden, the architect invites the partnership of the Kingdom of Nature. In a beautiful garden the majesty of nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/in-the-creation-of-a-garden-the-architect-invites-the-partnership-of/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [Only in intimate communion with solitude may man find himself. Solitude is good company and my architecture is not for those who fear or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/only-in-intimate-communion-with-solitude-may-man-find-himself/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [My house is my refuge, an emotional piece of architecture, not a cold piece of convenience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/my-house-is-my-refuge-an-emotional-piece-of-architecture-not-a-cold/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [“Architecture is an art when one consciously or unconsciously creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this enviroment produces well being”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/architecture-is-an-art-when-one-consciously-or-unconsciously-creates/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [Don't ask me about this building or that one, don't look at what I do, see what I see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/don-t-ask-me-about-this-building-or-that-one-don-t-look-at-what-i-do/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [I have devoted myself to architecture as a sublime act of poetic imagination. Consequently, I am only a symbol for all those who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/i-have-devoted-myself-to-architecture-as-a-sublime-act-of-poetic/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [I think that the ideal space must contain elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/i-think-that-the-ideal-space-must-contain-elements-of-magic-serenity/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [A garden must combine the poetic and he mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/a-garden-must-combine-the-poetic-and-he-mysterious-with-a-feeling-of/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [Beauty is the oracle that speaks to us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/beauty-is-the-oracle-that-speaks-to-us-all/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [Any work of architecture that does not express serenity is a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/any-work-of-architecture-that-does-not-express-serenity-is-a-mistake/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [The Art of Seeing. It is essential to an architect to know how to see: I mean, to see in such a way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/the-art-of-seeing-it-is-essential-to-an-architect-to-know-how-to-see/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

> [Architecture is a art when one consciously or unconsciously creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this environment produces well being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/architecture-is-a-art-when-one-consciously-or-unconsciously-creates/)

[Luis Barragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

[Explore all 18 Luis Barragan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/)

## More Astonishment quotes

> [“A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sansom/a-writer-lives-at-least-in-a-state-of-astonishment-beneath-any/)

[William Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sansom/)

> [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/)

[Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/)

> [A lot of what I am looking for is a moment of astonishment, he says. Those moments of pure consciousness when you involuntarily inhale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-meyerowitz/a-lot-of-what-i-am-looking-for-is-a-moment-of-astonishment-he-says/)

[Joel Meyerowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-meyerowitz/)

> [If there be a skeptical star I was born under it. Yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-macneile-dixon/if-there-be-a-skeptical-star-i-was-born-under-it-yet-i-have-lived-all/)

[William Macneile Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-macneile-dixon/)

> [If you aren't constantly astonished at God's grace in your solitude, there's no way it can happen in public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-aren-t-constantly-astonished-at-god-s-grace-in-your-solitude/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [“Witness each moment in astounded jubilation. Take every holy breath in gratitude. Rejoice in life!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/witness-each-moment-in-astounded-jubilation-take-every-holy-breath-in/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [“See? Nothing to it." "I see all right," Carly said, her tone full of awe. She gaped at him. "What?" "Um..." "Jesus, Carly, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissa-bryan/see-nothing-to-it-i-see-all-right-carly-said-her-tone-full-of-awe-she/)

[Lissa Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissa-bryan/)

> [For a moment Clary thought she might fall; she felt as if something essential had been torn away from her, an arm or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-a-moment-clary-thought-she-might-fall-she-felt-as-if-something/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Both of you’ll just have to believe me. Emma’s one of those women who was born with… The thing is, the minute a heterosexual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/both-of-you-ll-just-have-to-believe-me-emma-s-one-of-those-women-who/)

[Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/)

> [“For the analyst it is a source of never-ending astonishment how comparatively well a person can function with the core of himself not participating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-horney/for-the-analyst-it-is-a-source-of-never-ending-astonishment-how/)

[Karen Horney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-horney/)

> [It was only when I lay there on the rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. Gradually it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/it-was-only-when-i-lay-there-on-the-rotting-prison-straw-that-i/)

[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/)

> [Sometimes, people trying to commit suicide manage it in a manner that leaves them breathless with astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-people-trying-to-commit-suicide-manage-it-in-a-manner-that/)

[Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/)

> [When I wake up, I wake to something worse. It’s the astonishment of being myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/when-i-wake-up-i-wake-to-something-worse-it-s-the-astonishment-of/)

[Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/)

> [What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/what-shall-i-say-and-how-shall-i-describe-this-birth-to-you-for-this/)

[Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/)

[Browse all 227 Astonishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In alarming proportions the following words have disappeared from architectural publications: beauty, inspiration, magic, sorcery, enchantment, and also serenity, mystery, silence, privacy, astonishment. All of these have found a loving home in my soul.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Luis Barragan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/in-alarming-proportions-the-following-words-have-disappeared-from/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Astonishment"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/in-alarming-proportions-the-following-words-have-disappeared-from/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/luis-barragan-29268_astonishment_in-alarming-proportions-the-following-wo_739226.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In alarming proportions the following words have disappeared from architectural publications: beauty…” — Luis Barragan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Luis Barragan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-barragan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In alarming proportions the following words...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/in-alarming-proportions-the-following-words-have-disappeared-from/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-barragan/in-alarming-proportions-the-following-words-have-disappeared-from/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
