Monthly Archives: February 2020

Video of Manhattan in 1911

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David Brussat

This is, I am pretty sure, the best video of old New York City that I’ve come across. At eight and a half minutes, it is among the longest, with crisp photography and a wide range of locations. Ladies and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Prospect Terrace renewed

Posted on February 26, 2020 by David Brussat

Landscape architect Sara Bradford led the recent restoration of Providence’s Prospect Terrace, in its College Hill neighborhood near Brown University. Her late husband, RISD professor of architecture and modernist Derek Bradford, was my nemesis as I covered the city’s Capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

America’s favorite buildings

Posted on February 23, 2020 by David Brussat

For its 150th anniversary, the American Institute of Architects commissioned a double-blind survey of American citizens to discover their favorite American buildings. To the dismay of the AIA, which is modernist to the core, the survey confirmed what everyone already … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

At Brown, here we go again

Posted on February 21, 2020 by David Brussat

Brown University is at it again. It plans to tear down old structures in order to build new ones. GoLocalProv.com’s story, “Brown Proposing to Build 375-Bed Residential Hall – Multiple Structures to be Demolished,” mentions four demolitions and reveals that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Parsing classical creativity

Posted on February 18, 2020 by David Brussat

The proposed executive order encouraging classical architecture for federal buildings in Washington and elsewhere, if adopted by President Trump, would replace Kennedy-era guidelines that have encouraged modern architecture for federal buildings since 1962. Enough time has passed to declare modern … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Readings on the exec. order

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David Brussat

Here is a list of readings, pro and con, from newspapers and magazines, plus original source material, to help readers judge the wisdom and validity, such as they may be, of the draft proposed executive order from the White House … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Unify in the fight for beauty

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David Brussat

The draft executive order to encourage classical architecture for federal buildings in Washington and elsewhere has shifted the world of architecture on its axis. Patrick Webb, a teacher of ornamental plastering at the American College of Building Arts in Charleston, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Bring diversity to fed design

Posted on February 9, 2020 by David Brussat

A provocative debate has broken out over a draft proposal to return classical design to the heart of federal architecture, especially in our nation’s capital. The title of the draft executive order, “Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again,” leads with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Video of pencil sculptures

Posted on February 5, 2020 by David Brussat

A marvelous minute of video portrays a virtuoso hand at sculpting the lead out of a pencil. Click on “Art on the tip of a pencil” to view a minute of how Salavat Fidai gets the lead out. More can … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Homage to Penn Station

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David Brussat

Tonight I watched a PBS “The American Experience” presentation on the rise and fall of Pennsylvania Station, which I will preview for Thursday’s column and which will broadcast to the public next Tuesday. To gin readers up for that, enter … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments