Category Archives: Architecture

The future of Providence

Posted on January 15, 2020 by

Dire. That’s a good word for the bad future of Providence if the erosion of its historic character continues at its current pace. In “Say no to ugly buildings,” an Oct. 28 oped for the Providence Journal, I listed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sir Roger Scruton, RIP

Posted on January 12, 2020 by

Death took Roger Scruton today. He was the world’s deepest thinker on architecture and aesthetics, which were embedded in the conservatism of his broader philosophy. Scruton embraced tradition, holding that “the tried and true” are a stronger foundation than novelty … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Architecture reform school

Posted on January 10, 2020 by

(Oops, I think I meant “Reform architecture school.”) ArchNewsNow, compiled by the inimitable Kristen Richards, is a thrice-weekly compendium of news and opinion on architecture from around the world. Each collection of articles includes one or more features generated specifically … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture Education | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why villains love modernism

Posted on January 8, 2020 by

The title of the CNN website’s feature article is actually “Why movie villains love modern architecture,” but my headline asks a more pertinent question. It’s not just movie villains but actual villains whose architectural taste flies in the face of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A threat to Europe’s beauty

Posted on January 4, 2020 by

Modernists are trying to reverse trends in cultural-heritage preservation by subtle interventions in several key conservation standards of the European Union. Writing from Norway, Audun Engh of the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU) warned me today … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Best trad buildings of 2019

Posted on December 31, 2019 by

Compiling the best of the world’s traditional architecture completed in 2019 depends on what the meaning of “completed” is. I had hoped to open this annual post with Berlin’s Baroque-style Stadtschloss (City Palace), built in 1845, damaged by bombs in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Notre-Dame remains dicey

Posted on December 26, 2019 by

It was recently reported that the annual Christmas mass at Notre-Dame de Paris will not take place for the first time since the French Revolution, and, by the way, the survival of the entire cathedral, most of which was thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

O starchitect house blues!

Posted on December 18, 2019 by

A Bloomberg article, “Having a Home by a Star Architect Is Amazing – Until You Try to Sell It,” by James Tarmy, raised the hair on the back of my neck. Among my favorite activities when I slip into one … Continue reading →

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

Gone fishing, be back soon

Posted on December 16, 2019 by

Those who have wished me the best* have my heartfelt thanks, but please, let us not forget what I was really fishing for – examples of new traditional architecture completed during this past year of 2019. As a reminder, I … Continue reading →

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

A resurgence of murals

Posted on December 12, 2019 by

Unlike modern architecture’s rejection of art as integral to building design, classical architecture welcomes painting and sculpture as part and parcel of a building’s beauty. Murals have embellished the world’s greatest buildings for centuries, but with modern architecture in control … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments