GWT fully embraces the notion that the languages implemented by the browser can be treated as target languages for cross-compilation. The beauty of its design is that the server need not play any role beyond delivering the compiled output...or rpc/json requests for data if you need some. I'm shocked that GWT went unmentioned in his essay and the comments.
One thing I am concerned about in the concept of doing all the work on the server is that CSS has the ability to let the client override some of the presentation issues, such as is the case for accessibility. I wonder if that can be done as effectively on the server.