Tag Archives: ICAA

Anacostia waterfront in D.C.

Posted on November 1, 2023 by David Brussat

I grew up in Washington, D.C., and probably gained my affection for classical architecture from its grand public spaces. I went off to college and upon my return found a striking new waterfront along the Potomac River, parallel to M … Continue reading →

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

Two rotten eggs and a peach

Posted on September 29, 2021 by David Brussat

The I-195 District Redevelopment Commission, at its Sept. 20 meeting, looked at three proposals for mixed-use apartment complexes on former highway land east of the Providence River. One proposal exceeds the other two in appearance. That should be the primary … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Entitling Historical Concepts

Posted on August 13, 2021 by David Brussat

Most architectural firms have names listing one or more partners, McKim Mead & White being a chief example familiar to classicists. In recent times some firms have chosen names seemingly designed to impress you with their creativity, such as SHoP … Continue reading →

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A memorial to the agrafe

Posted on May 31, 2021 by David Brussat

Today is a day to remember those who have given their lives to perpetuate our American system, the first rule based on the ideal of equality under law for all citizens. Each citizen differs, and likewise, while maybe not quite … Continue reading →

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Learn more about classicism

Posted on January 31, 2021 by David Brussat

Alexis de Tocqueville discovered, during his visit to our country in the early 1830s, that we Americans form more associations to pursue civic goals than in Britain or, I suppose, in France, his native land, else he would not have … Continue reading →

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

A short history of closets

Posted on July 8, 2020 by David Brussat

Nir Haim Buras, author of the newly published The Art of Classic Planning, has sent some fascinating comments on closet history to the TradArch list, under the heading “Classic Closets … Not.” Imagine living without the assistance of closets. Now, … Continue reading →

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Rouchell: Case for classicism

Posted on April 10, 2020 by David Brussat

Michael Rouchell is an architect in New Orleans and a founder of the Louisiana chapter, one of 15 regional chapters of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. On March 30, he posted the following remarks in an online discussion … Continue reading →

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EO: The two paths ahead

Posted on March 4, 2020 by David Brussat

The draft executive order that is stirring within the Trump administration is forcing classicists in the field of architecture to choose one of two paths forward. The path that goes through the E.O., if it is not already throttled in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Stroik’s honest architecture

Posted on September 27, 2019 by David Brussat

In this video, master architect Duncan Stroik defenestrates three of architecture’s most enduring principles. Speaking to attendees at the 2017 Bulfinch awards lecture series, Stroik takes a hammer to the “honesty” that supposedly undergirds classicism, especially this holy triad: that … Continue reading →

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

Make Mr. Highways smile

Posted on May 21, 2019 by David Brussat

The late George Henderson, of Rumford, is the engineer who designed the Henderson Bridge across the Seekonk River, replacing upstream the old Red Bridge between Providence and East Providence. Known as “Mr. Highways,” he must have been a pretty popular … Continue reading →

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