Category Archives: Architecture

Architecture reform school

Posted on January 10, 2020 by David Brussat

(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 David Brussat

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 David Brussat

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 , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Best trad buildings of 2019

Posted on December 31, 2019 by David Brussat

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 , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Notre-Dame remains dicey

Posted on December 26, 2019 by David Brussat

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 David Brussat

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 David Brussat

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 David Brussat

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

Romance and the style wars

Posted on December 10, 2019 by David Brussat

On Sunday I saw the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank and, in its depiction of Anne’s friendship with the son of another family hiding with the Franks in the attic of a Dutch row house in Nazi-occupied Holland, … Continue reading →

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

Comments on the style wars

Posted on December 8, 2019 by David Brussat

My last post “Modern architecture as spin” drew a reply from architect Daniel Morales that, paired with my reply, deserves to be front and center on this blog, rather than stuck in the comment section. Dan and I have gone … Continue reading →

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