Big, Bad McMansions

Last week I went on a house tour that included the home shown here. Weighing in at more than 8,000 square feet, the place is a classic example of a "McMansion" -- a "Big Mac" version of architecture, unnecessarily large and showy. Why so big? And what's with the portico on stilts? I have to confess, I find houses like this wasteful and garish, so I was excited to read in the New York Times that McMansions are finally going out of style. "After more than 30 years of steady increase, the size of the typical American house appears to be leveling off," reports architecture writer, Fred Bernstein.
• Are McMansions Going Out of Style?
• Neoeclectic: The Hodge-Podge Style
• Luxury House Plans
• Hate McMansions? Or do you live in one and love it? Tell us!