Seriously, it’s not that bad, but your architectural correspondent was in fact laid off yesterday from his job at the Providence Journal. A newspaper chain recently purchased the paper. Tomorrow’s column will be my last for the Journal. I will still write a weekly column and the usual stuff on my “Architecture Here and There” blog, which has been independent since December.
Meanwhile, I will be looking around, as they say, and if any reader has any leads to convey, maybe something in the writing game, my appreciation will know no bounds.
About David Brussat
This blog was begun in 2009 as a feature of the Providence Journal, where I was on the editorial board and wrote a weekly column of architecture criticism for three decades. Architecture Here and There fights the style wars for classical architecture and against modern architecture, no holds barred.
History Press asked me to write and in August 2017 published my first book, "Lost Providence." I am now writing my second book.
My freelance writing on architecture and other topics addresses issues of design and culture locally and globally.
I am a member of the board of the New England chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, which bestowed an Arthur Ross Award on me in 2002.
I work from Providence, R.I., where I live with my wife Victoria, my son Billy and our cat Gato.
If you would like to employ my writing and editing to improve your work, please email me at my consultancy, dbrussat@gmail.com, or call 401.351.0457.
Testimonial: "Your work is so wonderful - you now enter my mind and write what I
would have written."
- Nikos Salingaros, mathematician at the University of Texas, architectural theorist and author of many books.
Seriously, it’s not that bad, but your architectural correspondent was in fact laid off yesterday from his job at the Providence Journal. A newspaper chain recently purchased the paper. Tomorrow’s column will be my last for the Journal. I will still write a weekly column and the usual stuff on my “Architecture Here and There” blog, which has been independent since December.
Architecture Here and There 
David,
If I may speak frankly… you were one of a handful of shining gems left in that rag. I can’t believe they kept your brilliant writing going as long as they did. They don’t deserve you.
They could argue that the current anemic audience did not justify your talents, yet you have a national audience that they never cared to recognize or take advantage of. They are much worse than Howard Roark, because at least he had a vision. Simple ignorance.
This is the opportunity of your life! You will jettison yourself out of this politically disease ridden and economically dying state to a new life where your constituency cares more about their past and their future than selfishly living in present.
I look forward to our continued train rides to Boston until that happens.
Fondly,
Dave
LikeLike
Don’t know how to respond to such an elegant yet pithy set of words. I deeply appreciate the kind thoughts, and the ones that were not kind but truthful, the situation to a tee. Thank you so much. See you on the train, if not before.
LikeLike
As a Rhode Islander I grew up with your column and I can’t overstate the contribution it had to my thinking and my work in planning and urban design. You are the clearest articulator of one of the biggest problems in contemporary life: the war on beauty. You should know that many delightful and humane new communities and revitalized historic ones, which has been my work, have directly come about because of your work Mr. Brussat.
LikeLike
That is the kindest thing anyone’s ever said to me. It validates my existence. How can I thank you enough for those words? I can’t but I want to, and I must leave it there.
LikeLike
I’m sad you have lost some of your audience as you call attention to such important and worthwhile issues , and sad for the projo that is losing still another reason people pay attention to it. Out of state ownership has been a bane in journalism but also in utilties, banks and probably more. But I’m pleased the blog will continue. We’ll need it as the assault on what beauty and interesting heritage is left is not likely to go away. Best wishes David
LikeLike
Thanks, Barry. I will be looking for ways to make up for lost local readership, possibly through RI-NPR and other outlets, maybe even the Phoenix. We’ll see. But I’m certainly not going anywhere, at least not yet.
LikeLike
David, Michael Tyrrell here. Saddened to hear this news. Keep the fire burming! We need your watchful eyes, and enlightened perspective! Best wishes ahead.
LikeLike
Thanks, Michael. Only my connection with the Journal is gone. I will have more time to devote to my perverse slant on architecture. Don’t rest too easy, modernists!!!
LikeLike
Oh, man, David. You taught me, in person, lucky bastard that I am, everything I know about downtown Providence (never, never enough). Living in Massachusetts, I just this morning read about David Kerr in the Boston Globe; how could they have missed you? An era passes. I’ll keep reading.
LikeLike
Many thanks, Rick. I’ll still be here sticking it to the instigators of the ugly in Providence. They will soon know that I have not gone away.
LikeLike
.David, I’ve always read the sports pages second on Thursdays. Peace brother. Warren Lutzel
LikeLike
Warren, many thanks, and you can still do that if you go to my blog first and the sports section of the Journal second. Cheers!
LikeLike
Have not always agreed with your views, David, but greatly enjoy your writing nonetheless. You will be missed.
LikeLike
Many thanks, John. That means a lot to me. Of course my words will be missing from the newspaper but not from the Internet. And of course possibilities might arise elsewhere, in or out of Rhode Island.
LikeLike
David, Thank you for your steadfast commitment to CIVILITY in all things architectural for Providence, Newport, and Rhode Island generally. Your opinion will be missed on those pages, but we look forward to your posts here, and at new outlets -local and beyond!
LikeLike
Many thanks for the kind thoughts. Rhode Island will not disappear from my attention, far from it. I hope I will have more time to monitor projects such as 195 and the goings on at Brown and down in Newport. The modernists cannot rest easy yet!
LikeLike
My dear friend and comrade David Brussat a.k.a. “Dr. Downtown” Thank you my friend for your unmatched loyalty to the city we all love..Providence.
LikeLike
Bless you, Maria!
LikeLike