The industrial revolution has had a critical impact on society in general and architecture in particular. How we design, build and use buildings is different due to industrial changes in materials, processes and techniques. A key manifestation of the industrial revolution has been the automobile. Since the automobile is a more direct result of application of technique, it is helpful to examine its design to better understand the less direct influences of technique in architecture. This is especially important at a time when the role of technology in architecture is becoming both more significant and more difficult to define and evaluate. Looking at how various design concepts and objectives have been used in parallel between automobile and building designers is interesting and helpful to designers of both. Each can learn a great deal from the other. This end is aided by examining four noteworthy architects of the past one hundred years that were actively involved in building and automobile design. Not all of the technological objectives of automobile design have been achieved in its contemporary design. Some of these same objectives appear to have been better realized in building design. Work by some contemporary architects illustrates how this has occurred and how it might be furthered in the interest of improving the quality of future architecture.