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Originally Posted by allovertown
. . . There are a few examples when I think red brick looks good in new developments such as the former shirt corner building at 3rd and market . . .
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They did do a very a good job. On the other hand, had the developer not made a historic replication but something completely different, that could have worked very well too, so long as the design, materials, street interface worked well. My point being that a red brick replica (though in this case a very good one) works fine but is by no means necessary or even the best approach. But many in Philadelphia automatically assume a red brick replica or a red brick something-or-other is the time-honored default from which one should rarely if ever deviate . . . that "good" architecture in Philadelphia means doing this, which is nonsense or course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by allovertown
I don't mind "nods" to architecture's past.
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Nods are OK, I agree. But there is know inherent value or meaning in making those silly ol' nods. They are absolutely not necessary in making a good or great building. Nothing about nodding architecture makes it better than architecture that refuses to nod. A clever little nod here or there may amuse the student or architecture momentarily, but it goes right over most people's heads. Nods are just kind of inside baseball for architecture buffs. And often pretentious and poorly executed at that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by allovertown
In regards to this building, the red brick just doesn't fit.
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Agreed. I find the return to red brick in this case to be particularly galling given that this neighborhood is so far removed from colonial era Philadelphia. Red brick is not even the dominant building material in this neighborhood, so the reference is pointless in addition to being badly executed. It screams "we are an outside developer and architect grabbing at straws to find ways to make our design palatable to the stodgy Philadelphians, so we will use use RED BRICK!!!!" So damned cliched. I mean, why not put a fuckin' Indy Hall cupola on top of the damn building and put a repeating Liberty Bell motif in the brick if that's what they think we like here.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if some crusty old numbnut from the CCRA zoning committee pulled Dustin Downey aside and whispered in his ear: "pssst, buddy, what's with the yellow brick? Why not use red brick, we like that kind of stuff here".
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not even going to get baited into this nonsense again. If SLC doesn't build here this is destined to be the next 8th and market. Will sit for years and years.
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