Architecture Here and There

Thursday's column will invite readers to join their eager correspondent at one of America's finest houses, Rosecliff, in Newport, to hear a free lecture by Steven Semes, author of the excellent Future of the Past. The book unveils a much more sensible (the understatement of the week) set of principles for historic preservation.

Semes's ideas are more than that, however; they deconstruct the pseudo-preservationism that has eroded and even destroyed beloved historic buildings and settings in this state, this country and this world for many decades. Indeed, the very idea that buildings must be "of our time" has been taken down by Semes in his magisterial book.

By the way, since seating is limited at the lecture, which is sponsored by the Preservation Society of Newport County along with the City of Newport, you may obtain a required reservation here. Earlier today there were about 50 seats remaining of the 300 set out. So hurry and register here if you want to see the show.

You may buy The Future of the Past here, or at the lecture, where Semes will, I am told, be on hand and more than happy to inscribe it.

The lecture is previewed, but also a book about the architectural firm that produced Rosecliff - Triumverate: McKim, Mead & White, by Mosette Broderick, will be previewed. I am almost done reading it; I will review it soon. But something is amiss in the book, something that renders Broderick not quite suitable for Rosecliff. You are invited to find out what that might be - by reading Thursday's column.

 Tags  David Brussat McKim Mead & White Moselle Broderick Newport RI Rosecliff Stanford White Triumverate

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Andrew said:

Topical article in the Old Grey Lady:

"This has become a global phenomenon. All over the world, historic centers are being sanitized of signs of age and decay, losing any sense of the identity that buildings accumulate over time. Facades are carefully scrubbed clean; interiors, often blending minimalist white walls and a few painstakingly restored historic details, are reduced to a bland perfection. And new buildings are designed in watered-down period styles, further eroding the distinction between what’s real and what’s fake, and producing what Mr. Koolhaas calls a 'low-grade, unintended timelessness.'"

Link | May 24, 2011 9:06 PM
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