Tag Archives: Modern Architecture

Plečnik capitals you can see

Posted on May 4, 2020 by David Brussat

Jože Plečnik may perhaps be deemed the Antoni Gaudi of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Or vice versa. Both shifted the character of their principal cities (Barcelona in Gaudi’s case) toward a more animated, innovative and yet entirely classical character. … Continue reading →

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

Dickinson vs. Dickinson

Posted on April 27, 2020 by David Brussat

Duo Dickinson is an architect in New Haven whose work, primarily private houses, is creative yet overwhelmingly traditional in appearance. I like his architecture very much. His firm’s portfolio and productivity are impressive. However, when writing and speaking about architecture … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Take Sussman’s fish test here

Posted on April 5, 2020 by David Brussat

Ann Sussman, the Concord, Mass., architect and researcher, asked me to take a test a few days ago. I was to look at a set of illustrations of fishes and note what my eyes do. I took her test, and … 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

America’s favorite buildings

Posted on February 23, 2020 by David Brussat

For its 150th anniversary, the American Institute of Architects commissioned a double-blind survey of American citizens to discover their favorite American buildings. To the dismay of the AIA, which is modernist to the core, the survey confirmed what everyone already … Continue reading →

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Parsing classical creativity

Posted on February 18, 2020 by David Brussat

The proposed executive order encouraging classical architecture for federal buildings in Washington and elsewhere, if adopted by President Trump, would replace Kennedy-era guidelines that have encouraged modern architecture for federal buildings since 1962. Enough time has passed to declare modern … Continue reading →

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Readings on the exec. order

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David Brussat

Here is a list of readings, pro and con, from newspapers and magazines, plus original source material, to help readers judge the wisdom and validity, such as they may be, of the draft proposed executive order from the White House … Continue reading →

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

Unify in the fight for beauty

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David Brussat

The draft executive order to encourage classical architecture for federal buildings in Washington and elsewhere has shifted the world of architecture on its axis. Patrick Webb, a teacher of ornamental plastering at the American College of Building Arts in Charleston, … Continue reading →

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

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