Tag Archives: Rhode Island State House

Is architecture charming?

Posted on October 20, 2018 by

Although it says nothing of architecture, an essay by Joseph Epstein on charm causes me to wonder whether architecture can be charming. His essay, “Life’s Little Luxury,” in The Weekly Standard, is discursive, that is, it rambles round, making its … Continue reading →

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

Prov’s City Beautiful parks

Posted on November 30, 2017 by

Catherine Zipf’s piece in today’s Providence Journal, “Bus proposal is appalling,” is dead on. The more you think about it, as Zipf has clearly done, the more difficult it is to imagine a rational reason for the state’s proposal to … Continue reading →

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

State House lawn at risk

Posted on November 12, 2017 by

The State House Lawn and Park are identified among a dozen major open spaces across the nation as at risk by the Cultural Landscape Foundation, in Washington, D.C.. The foundation’s Landslide 2017 report “Open Season on Open Space” is concerned … Continue reading →

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

Our stately house of state

Posted on November 11, 2017 by

The other day who should pass through Providence on the way to view the mansions of Newport but Michael Rouchell, of New Orleans, founder of the Louisiana chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. No ICAA honcho can … Continue reading →

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

A new Kennedy Plaza plan

Posted on September 1, 2017 by

A new plan for Kennedy Plaza is described in this morning’s Providence Journal. “Kennedy Plaza plan envisions ‘true civic heart’,” by Donita Naylor and Jacqueline Tempera, describes a proposal that makes a lot of sense. It does not seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

R.I. State House at risk

Posted on July 13, 2017 by

Rhode Island transportation officials want to spend millions in tax money to accomplish a goal achievable for mere thousands, and to do so in part on the State House Lawn. The Capital Center Commission, which has overseen the development district’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

From atop Rubik’s Cube

Posted on August 24, 2016 by

Here are some shots through the grand windows of the 11th floor meeting room of the old Brown Rudnick law firm, a space now belonging to Brown University, which kindly allowed me up to shoot a shot for my book … Continue reading →

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

Trying to like this building

Posted on January 25, 2016 by

Capital Properties has proposed and the Capital Center Commission has apparently approved the design above for the parcel next to the almost supernaturally ugly Capital Cove, on land at Canal and Smith streets along the Moshassuck River. Here is what … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design, Blast from past, Development, Providence, Providence Journal, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments