Yes, Stanford White, a partner in the firm McKim Mead and White was murdered over an affair with a 16 year old starlet named Evelyn Nesbit.  Before his death in 1906 White designed numerous Mansions for the barons of the gilded age in Newport and the Berkshires.  His most recognizable construction is the arch in New York's Washington Square.  Evelyn Nesbit was an actress and model, considered the "it girl" of the late 19th century.  Evelyn's husband, Harry Thaw shot White to death during a performance at the Madison Square Garden, an building which White designed.  Thaw  had a history of mental instability and believed White raped Evelyn many years before.  The resulting trial was considered the trial of the century.  At lease until O.J. came along. 

Did you know that in Japan "disposable" housing is the norm? A typical home is demolished after 22 years when it's value has depreciated to 0.
 

Yes, after world war II Japan needed to quickly and efficiently replace the buildings destroyed during the war in order to house an exploding population.  Like many countries, they turned to prefabricated housing.  Perhaps as a result of their homogeneous culture, this building process stuck and has become the standard today.  Today the Japanese companies Daiwa and Sekisui Heim are the largest housing companies in the world and even own subsidiaries in the United States.

Is prefabricated architecture and disposable architecting one and the same?  Prefabrication is becoming more and more popular in the building industry as a result of a shrinking labor force, and shorted construction schedules.  However, these buildings lack the character and quality of construction that makes buildings worth protecting and preserving.

Is the future of housing in this country headed toward the situation in Japan?  Or is american individualism to strong to allow our homes to become cookie cutter boxes?