Also, even if we are focusing purely on visuals, it is interesting that they didn't discuss the effect of these buildings becoming darker over time as the ornate details are hard to keep clean, which was exasperated by air pollution. I imagine a bright white marble building would have looked much more "heavenly and transcendent".
I went to the article expecting pollution was going to be the answer to how the "became spooky". I remember seeing a display at the cologne cathedral as a child that showed one of the new replacement parts before installation. I was shocked seeing how the replacement are a so much brighter color than the cathedral itself is now. If these buildings were brighter, I think it would be totally different. Especially the interior of the Sagrada Familia which is very bright and feels very positive is a good example here.
