Professional architectural publications were as dismissive of his art as critics in the popular press. Time has made their critiques seem at least overstated. Lapidus s announced goal was that his buildings exterior should express what went on inside. They just happened to be about fun and luxury and fantasy. This was a goal worthy of the International Style.
Form follows function.
Lapidus was putting the fun back into function. It s done because people need something to give them a lift, He told the New York Times. It s the crazy hat for a woman, the bright tie for men. And he was designing resort hotels, not glorified prisons and formicaries for office-workering city dwellers. From this perspective the critics look even snootier.