Category Archives: Urbanism and planning

PawSox to Providence?

Posted on February 25, 2015 by David Brussat

There once was a team in Pawtucket. To consider the merits of moving the Boston Red Sox Triple-A team to Providence, one must first swallow the vile pill of stealing the team from neighboring Pawtucket, which needs economic stimulus more … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design, Development, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

On “Cognitive Architecture”

Posted on February 22, 2015 by David Brussat

Ann Sussman will be in Boston on Tuesday evening to discuss her book Cognitive Architecture. She will speak at an event sponsored by the New England chapter of the Insitute of Classical Architecture & Art beginning at 6 in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture Education, Art and design, Books and Culture, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Another battle in Charleston

Posted on February 21, 2015 by David Brussat

A developer in Charleston proposes to rip down an ugly modernist tower of 14 stories, built in 1949, and replace it with three mostly four-story buildings that reflect the city’s historic architecture. You’d think preservationists there would favor that. Instead, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design, Development, Preservation, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Corbusier invades New York

Posted on February 20, 2015 by David Brussat

Le Corbusier, a founder of modern architecture, traveled in 1935 on his first trip to America. A Frenchman born in Switzerland, he thought New York City would receive him like a god and was mistaken. Here I am pleased to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Architecture History, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Design for a Living Planet’

Posted on February 18, 2015 by David Brussat

In their newly published book, subtitled “Settlement, Science and the Human Future,” authors Michael Mehaffy and Nikos Salingaros argue that human well-being, indeed survival here on Earth, requires replacing our overly mechanized, technologized way of life with patterns of living … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Art and design, Books and Culture, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Restore Macintosh’s GSA

Posted on February 15, 2015 by David Brussat

I am pleased and indeed almost amazed that Rowan Moore, the Guardian’s architecture critic, has emerged in favor of restoration of the Macintosh Library that was the greatest loss in the fire last May at the Glasgow School of Art, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Other countries, Preservation, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

‘The Hidden Light of Objects’

Posted on February 14, 2015 by David Brussat

The fragility of culture, even of culture wrought in the hardness of masonry, is one of the themes of the ten short stories in Mai Al-Nakib’s first book, The Hidden Light of Objects. The second story, “Echo Twins,” is set … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Books and Culture, Development, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Save the Yale Club!

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David Brussat

The title above could as easily have been “Save the Roosevelt Hotel!” or for that matter “Save Grand Central Terminal!” “Save the Chrysler Building!” might also be apt. Or it could be “All is lost!” … “Or maybe not!” could … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Development, Preservation, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuff said at Kennedy Plaza

Posted on February 8, 2015 by David Brussat

Above are the bicycle stands chosen for and installed at the “new” Kennedy Plaza, in Providence. Below are the bicycle stands approved (but not yet funded) for the city of Charleston. Which design represents the more advanced aesthetic?

Posted in Architecture, Art and design, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Buda + Pest = Budapest x 3

Posted on February 7, 2015 by David Brussat

Here are three videos of Budapest, “Gay and Beautiful Budapest” from 1938 of 10:28 minutes in length; the second a Rick Steves travel TV episode from 2004 of 26:08 minutes; and, finally, from 2014, “AMAZING Walking Tour!!!” of the Hungarian … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Blast from past, Other countries, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment