Journal - Evolution in architectural writing

Revolt

“EVERY GENERATION TAILORS HISTORY TO ITS TASTE.” - ADA LOUISE HAUXTABLE

Tracing the evolution in architectural writing.

By- Debangana Dasgupta

Did you ever stroll past a lifeless evidence of history, and wonder, if it can cause a revolt?

Foster +Partners

Revolt of all the movements that were and that will be caused. The then symbol of power, causing wars, and now prized, often neglected landmark causing twitter fights. Evolution in architecture is that revolt.

Revolt of turning good to better but curbing down the accompanying devil.

ARCHITECTS

Simple,pure,minimalist,silent,imposing Others

­

A white box..

Illustrated by - Debangana Dasgupta

Ada Louise Hauxtable -

1.Elegance returns at a bargain price In the 1968 article “architecture- ele-

gance returns at a bargain price “, we

see a young Ada in her 30’s writing about the possible upcoming year of “urban and cultural sanity”. The architectural criticism column was specially created for Ada in the New York times.

We see her channeling her acerbic wit and insightful commentary in a patriarchal era at well-known names like the Pittsburgh, Heinz and Rapp&Rapp. She uses technical jargons to describe the Powell Halls conserved glamour but equally writes about the positive impact it will have on the art and economy through the reuse of an iron bar from the demolished Metro polytan Opera. Advocating for preservation she also mentions how this building could “reverse the trend of building a monument first and finding something to fill them with later”. She ultimately highlights the central role of this building in architecture and urbanism this building play by successfully being repurposed.

Source- New York Times

Ada Louise Hauxtable 1.New York Public Library In her 2012 article “Undertaking its destruction”, we discover Ada as an advocate for

no renovation!

we want our original rose readig room

Illustrated by - Debangana Dasgupta

350000000$ to gut this library while branches are closing down

architectural modernism while being a vocal critic of its failures. This article was written about the impending reconstruction of the New York Public Library eliminating the central stacks. We see her focus has now shifted to maintain the integrity of the soul of the city. She has maintained being vocal and directing comments towards subjects, irrespective of who is a big name. She stresses on how profit dictated planning has led developers to squeeze the most floor area onto the least amount of land with the fewest public amenities.

She strongly advises against any “modernisation” stated by Foster. Among all these technicalities, what has remained the same is her love for buildings and her effortless humor that can tickle an unsuspecting reader. She ultimately wisely states a solution to the problem that does justice to both unrestricted urbanism and changing political states.

Michael Kimmelman 1.Max protetch gallery In his 1987 New York Times article – “Architecture: Max Protetch's New Look “, we see Kimmelman being blatant with

his words. He put forward exactly what was on his mind. Having a background in history Kimmelman has researched well on the people putting up their work in the gallery. He boldly puts forward how these people aren’t qualifies to put their work up as they have no experience in it.

There is this sense of adventure in his writing. He leaves himself susceptible to reverse criticism.

Later on, this became his strong point. His tasteful words delivered the message. He doesn’t just put up a problem but also channels solutions. He followed up with highlights of the good features of the gallery, that made it unique. It was a bona fide in the world of repetitive lionizing articles.

Natural colour scheme of Protetch’s gallery. The windows open up the clautrophic spaces.

Illustrated by - Debangana Dasgupta

Michael Kimmelman 2.New York Public Library -

In his -2013 New York Times – stack of ques-

tions article - In Renderings for a Library Landmark his opinions are in line with Ada’s.

Foster + partners vision of the redevelopment. source - nytimes.com

Original rose reading room section source - wall street journal

Keeping up with his reputation of being blunt, he states how he doesn’t buy the new Norman Foster plan for the spirit of the city (the New York Public Library). He calls the problems of excessive popularism and having to wait an extra day for a book raised by prominent scholars, “snobbish”. Reading as it is and understanding between the lines, he explains how the library requires money and there is no denying it. From experience he suggests how the library is closing down branches to save money but not considering, that making such an organ transplant in old buildings usually increase the cost catastrophically. He sums up how instead conserving the stacks holding the rose reading room can cut down the cost significantly. This extra money can be used to renovate other branches. He really gives us a an unique perspective. His ideas drive us towards optimism and sommething better.

Justin Davidson 1. See Jane be co-opted The music cum architectural critic always takes an unconventional approach while presenting his articles. He starts with an unconventional statement or a question and keeps the audience hooked to know the answer. He has the ability to leave articles open-ended for the masses to decide.

In his 2007 New York Times article - “See

Jane be co-opted ”, he metaphorically intro-

duced Jane Jacobs to us as a street fighter. He explains her never ending war against overweening policies and Robert Moses’s highway proposals.

He channels how Jane has over the years fought for a better New York. He compares her to her contemporary Robert Moses and calls them both oversuccessful. The article being on her and highlighting her contributions in comparison to Robert felt like a subtle hint of how he agreed with her is grateful for all her protests.

Illustration by - Debangana Dasgupta

Justin Davidson 2. All the Panic Over the New York Public Library’s Renovation Plan Is Overwrought

Foster + partners vision of the renovation source - nymag.com

Justin doesn’t agree with Ada or Michael and stated a different perspective. He begins his exert by with a metaphor to keep readers wondering what the article truly entails. He expresses his opinions about the concerns of the frequent users that is the scholars. He brings up how the Mid-Manhattan is in a state of decrepitude and relocating it makes sense financially as well as for the treasured books. He explains the perspectives of all stake holders in this situation. He distinguishes and evaluates the pros and cons of Foster’s plan.

He shows us a new perspective of how most of the library is inaccessible. A cut should be made only where needed. Foster’s plans preserve, protects and restores all visible parts in exchange for operating on the library’s guts which he happily accepts.

CONCLUSION

Before Ada Louise Hauxtable, architecture was not a widely discussed subject. There was a time when architects had the power to create urban renewal processes. Ms. Huxtable advocated preservation — not because old buildings were appealing, or landmarks, but because they contributed vitally to the cityscape. She taught us architectural theory, preservation, and fundamentally what it means to do right by the built environment. Her 1968 article we see how small steps towards conservation in the Powell theatre are overwhelmingly appreciated, but in 2013 when this same conservation starts “modernization”, it is deemed as a social. We see Kimmelman being bold, stating facts and solutions. Later on, in his career this is what has made him unique in his field thus, widely accepted. Justin Davidson further reinforced the believe that true recognition is there by coopting Jane Jacobs. While Ada and Michael didn’t buy, celebrated architect Norman Foster’s plan at all, we see Justin showing us alternatives and how he may not have minded it at all. The masses saw the central role of architecture and urbanism in civic life and culture from the urgency of her writing .Ultimately her concerns were catered to and a rotating library was created with the stacks intact. It came down to meditations on how we live and what kind of legacy we wish to leave.