This is something I've noticed on academic vs "practicing" coders. Academics tend to build in layers, though not always, and "practicing" coders tend to build in pipes give or take. The layers approach might give you buildable code, but is hard to exercise and run. Both approaches can work though, especially if you build in executable chunks, but you have to focus on the smallest chunk you can actually run.
I'd argue the opposite. Nora's approach demonstrates that simple ideas work great for getting half of the problem done, but can make it impossible to finish the second half.
