Monthly Archives: May 2016

How to keep Portland weird

Posted on May 31, 2016 by David Brussat

Portland, Ore., is a city so satisfied with itself that it can afford to enjoy a TV show, Portlandia, that makes fun of its foibles. And of course, foibles are easily fobbed off. They are not actual problems. Most cities … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Art and design, Development, Humor, Preservation, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Shots of first full WaterFire

Posted on May 29, 2016 by David Brussat

Last night was the first full WaterFire of the season here in Providence. I generally visit rather late, when the crowds have drawn down and parking is easy, well, easier. The lead-off photo above, taken by WaterFire volunteer photographer Jim … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Books and Culture, Development, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Photography, Preservation, Providence, Urbanism and planning, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Photos of downtown Boston

Posted on May 28, 2016 by David Brussat

I was in Boston’s Financial District last Wednesday to attend a board meeting of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, which met not, as usual, at the College Club on Commonwealth – no dearth of photo opportunities around there! … Continue reading →

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The driverless car fiasco

Posted on May 27, 2016 by David Brussat

Driverless cars are fast becoming the next big thing, with timelines for their arrival collapsing at breakneck speed. They remind me of the Minions. Craaashhh! The website grist.org has an article by Katie Herzog called “No One Wants Driverless Cars … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Art and design, Development, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The vandals own the gates

Posted on May 26, 2016 by David Brussat

Here is sad news from sculptor Walter Arnold, who reports on an act of vandalism in Chicago. He writes: Eric J. Nordstrom continues documenting the destruction of the Charles Sumner Frost-designed Public Life Insurance Building in Chicago. He took this … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Art and design, Preservation, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Canada’s best new buildings

Posted on May 25, 2016 by David Brussat

Here, in order of presentation in Canadian Architect, the journal of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, are this year’s winners of the biennial Governor General’s Medals in Architecture. No private houses here – this year’s program celebrates architecture “In … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Art and design, Development, Other countries, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review of Siegel’s new book

Posted on May 24, 2016 by David Brussat

Charles Siegel’s fascinating little book The Humanists Versus the Reactionary Avant Garde warmed my cockles with its picture of Norman Foster’s Gherkin – 30 St. Mary Axe, on Leadenhall Street – thrusting aggressively above a traditional London streetscape. I thought … Continue reading →

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Bad trad betters bad mod

Posted on May 23, 2016 by David Brussat

Another modernist building for Providence? Ugh! Here we go again. I could throw up my hands and settle with a sigh. After all, the crossroad that would host more blight, Washington Street and Service Road 7, is already marred by … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Art and design, Development, Providence, Providence Journal, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Cafe Pushkin comes alive

Posted on May 22, 2016 by David Brussat

No doubt inspired by photographs of mahogany antiques crammed with romantic abandon into a lovely building in downtown Providence (see my post “Tilden-Thurber memories“), Malcolm Millais, author of Exploding the Myths of Modern Architecture, has sent me a tale, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Books and Culture, Interior Design, Other countries, Preservation, Uncategorized, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tilden-Thurber memories

Posted on May 21, 2016 by David Brussat

The Tilden-Thurber Building, erected in 1895, designed by Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, of Boston, was sold last week but remains, so far as I can tell, as it was built, inside and out. Stanley Weiss, the local developer and fine … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Art and design, Books and Culture, Development, Interior Design, Photography, Preservation, Providence, Providence Journal, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments