^^That is exactly it - architects abdicating responsibility, in favor of getting work, but also allowing developers drive the market. I agree that people want what is familiar, but familiarity breeds blandness and ultimately repetition.
I think we also are seeing the beginnings of a better-design process, whereby both developers/architects and the municipalities (in this case Toronto) are making changes for the better. However, I disagree that architects going through a design panel process will dumb designs down, especially for those, who you consider to be cutting edge architects. If anything they should not have to be afraid, because essentially they are already doing or practicing, for the most part, the type of work the design panel would be looking for - obviously this will not work 100% of the time, but as long as we have a strong and interested review/design panel, we should at least expect better things.
Naturally, that this is taking place in Vaughn, home of the "big-box" and warehouse heaven, we can assume that that developers will almost always have the upper-hand, not to mention that a design like this from Kirkor, probably far exceeds their expectations. Blandness, begats blandness, especially if that is what you are familiar with!
p5
