Author Archives: David Brussat

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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.

R.I.P. David Brussat

A Message to David’s Readers It is with deep sadness that we share the news that David Brussat, the voice and spirit behind Architecture Here and There, passed away on November 25th, 2025.David built this blog with great love—love for … Continue reading

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The Parthenon’s shackles

  Recent view of thee Parthenon with its scaffolding removed. The Parthenon skirted in scaffolding before its recent removal. For the first time in generations, the Parthenon is without its iron scaffolding. Tourists can view the famous Athenian landmark as … Continue reading

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The Parthenon sheds its scaffolding

For the first time in generations, the Parthenon is without its iron scaffolding. Tourists can view the famous Athenian landmark as it had been viewed by visitors to Greece for more than 200 years; it has been cloaked in construction … Continue reading

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Hasbro absquatulates

Rhode Islanders are mourning the loss of a leading manufacturer, Hasbro, which yesterday announced its departure from Pawtucket to Boston. Hasbro will share space in an ugly building (see photograph above), owned by WS Development, typical of Beantown’s Seaport District, … Continue reading

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Hasbro absquatulates

400 Summer St., in Boston’s Seaport District, where Hasbro has chosen to relocate its headquarters building, along with 700 jobs. (Photo courtesy of CoStar News) Rhode Islanders are mourning the loss of a leading manufacturer, Hasbro, which has announced its … Continue reading

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Save Newport Creamery!

It has been widely noted of late and deplored that Cranston’s Newport Creamery is to be shut down. After 63 years across from the Garden City Center’s gazebo, the center’s owner, WS Development, has announced that the Cranston restaurant will … Continue reading

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A White House ballroom

What we really need in this country, in the nation’s capital for god’s sake, is a grand new state ballroom to host White House guests – dignitaries foreign and domestic – presidents and such like – at yuge parties with … Continue reading

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Jane Austen on ‘improvements’

J. Austen’s ‘improvements’ I have come across in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park an interesting passage in which she describes rival plans for improving a house in the “living” (meaning parsonage) of Thornton Lacey, a hamlet in the town of … Continue reading

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David A. Mittell Jr.: R.I.P.

I can find no other indication that David has passed away, beyond a phonecall from an even closer friend, to the effect that he passed away Thursday morning, age 82. David was a prolific editorial writer and columnist for the … Continue reading

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David A. Mittell Jr.: R.I.P.

I can find no other indication that David has passed away, beyond a phonecall from an even closer friend, to the effect that he passed away Thursday morning David was a prolific editorial writer and columnist for the Providence Journal … Continue reading

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