Monthly Archives: March 2014

Two to watch in Providence

While some people in Providence are upset that the owner of a big house at 200 Hope Street, by Russell Warren, across from the Wheeler School, is to be broken up into apartments, and with no intent to alter the … Continue reading

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Hyperphotography of Jean-Francois Rauzier

Consider this an ad, gratefully posted, for the photographic work of Jean-Francois Rauzier, who once gave me permission to use his “Versailles” (above) with a column. Here is some of his wonderful “hyperphotography,” a sort of detailed architecture montage of … Continue reading

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Excuse my bro’ bias, but …

Here is a comment from my brother Tony. It is a remarkable insight about architecture that might otherwise be embedded (that is, hidden) in an exchange between him and me after my post on Aaron Betsky: Dave, yes, cat’s out … Continue reading

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Aaron Betsky sees the light?

It was a remarkable admission to appear under the byline of an architecture critic of the stature of Aaron Betsky, in Architecture Magazine, the mouthpiece of the American Institute of Architects. His piece is called “A Place for Grief and … Continue reading

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Column: The easy way to build on R.I.’s assets

Almost all cities and states have policies intended to strengthen their economies by building on their assets. Most fail because they reject easy strategies and embrace difficult strategies. Two recent Commentary pieces in The Providence Journal address this issue: “Wise … Continue reading

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Cinematic paradise isles

Financial Times architecture critic Edwin Heathcote offers readers a delightful romp island hopping down the halls of film history. Not every island paradise is paradise island, as you shall see. My own fascination with the architecture of evil in celloid … Continue reading

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Mr. Hublot’s urban future

Here is Mr. Hublot, a short animated film that charmed me no end. The animator’s idea of a sort of tinpot gizmoid future of urban life will pull at your heartstrings. As for the quality of the future envisioned, well, … Continue reading

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Holl the Horrible

After describing as “tripe” Hugh Pearman’s piece on Steven Holl’s Seona Reid Building, part of and across the street from the Glasgow School of Art, I feel obliged to say why, as if it were not obvious. The building is not the … Continue reading

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Hollible, just hollible

Steven Holl’s addition to the Glasgow School of Art, whose 1909 original by the Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh is an icon of architects of every school, expresses the most profound disrespect for its neighbor. It eats one building and … Continue reading

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Alex King lets it all hang out

Here is an interesting rant from the architect Alex King: I like what [James Howard] Kunstler says about ‘the new urbanism’ in his TED talk but think that part of the problem is not just with architects not appreciating the … Continue reading

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