In today's world, deadlines are everything. And it has been my experience that deadlines are getting tighter and tighter. So I understand where your manager comes from, he just want you to finish the project in the shortest amount of time.

However, having a sense of design and wanting to make eveything you do a cut above the rest are admireable qualities in my point of view. I'm sure there are loads of companies who will actually appreciate this. If you're having fun at your job, discuss it with your manager. If he just wants a code monkey, tell him there are loads of them, and that this position at this job are not for you.