Renzo Piano has withdrawn from a project to build an 80-story tower in Boston that would have involved the demolition of a 1960 building by Paul Rudolph that is valued by preservationists. NYT | previously
Finally someone stands tall against these developers. We must applaud Mr.Piano's decision not to bend over, like today's many architects. If this is the end of this story, which I hope not, then it's one sad day not only for the City of Boston, but also architecture in North America.
from the sound of it he stood tall against increasing the width of his building and not against demolishing the Rudolph. Renzo seemed fine with that, judging from the previous article...
whatever the real story behind might be, it is a great general messege by a world renown architect. there needs to be more statements like that, if architects want to gain more public respect and identity. and also show some concern that money making is not everything in development goals.
this part is truly unfortunate, for more than one reason: The Boston Landmarks Commission imposed a 90-day delay in the demolition of the Rudolph building on March 13, but Mr. Belkin said that the Boston firm CBT Architects intended to “implement Piano’s design, making appropriate refinements as needed during the design review process."
I'm a fan of Rudolph, but if tearing down one of his building to create a new icon of the City of Boston, I must say it's small price to pay.
Increasing the width of the building is direct challenge to architect's design, especially since it is a skyscraper.
ok, I did have a mixed emotion when I heard this "tear down Rudolph's building to build Piano's work." Any real estate in downtown Boston is super expensive, if there's any land available. Plus, Boston desperately needs a new significant architectural piece to keep up with other big international cities. Now, the city finally has this rare opportunity to build something significant. You have to agree with me that not a lot of people know about Rudolph's BlueCross/BlueShield building. AP, you might see Rudolph as a better architect than Piano, but Piano's architectural influence is a lot broader and deeper than Rudolph's, in my humble opinion. That's why, although I hate to say this, I must agree with Piano's position,
“I am a great admirer of Rudolph’s and I always ask myself, ‘Can we try to keep a building as a piece of architectural memory?’ ” [Piano] said. “But if it is not demolished, we lose the opportunity to create a city square.”
It would have been the best solution if Piano was able to somehow incorporate BC/BS building into his new building, but oh well, at least we can keep Rudolph's work. My former boss was a student/employee of Mr.Rudolph's, and he told me about how Mr.Rudolph stayed up all night by himself to draw some perspective drawings for presentation. Who still does that? I would love to see that kind of enthusiasm from today's architects.
"not a lot of people know about Rudolph's BlueCross/BlueShield building"[i/]: when the anncmt was made a couple of wks ago that the rudolph building was endangered, i talked (randomly, called about other things) to at least 10 bostonians or former bostonians who knew the building and love it.
it sounded like the removal of the rudolph wasn't for piano's building, but for a forecourt of some kind. seems like this could have been reconsidered, unless it was part of getting some sort of additional square footage allowance by giving 'pedestrian space'.
whatever the circumstances, i'm glad piano stood up. i wish there was a way to protect the rudolph still because it sounds like cbt is likely to be even [i]less
concerned about the damage they do.
i'd be surprised if they're able to "implement piano's design" in any form. usually there are agreements in place that keep the architects' work from being used if they're no longer involved.
the Boston firm CBT Architects intended to “implement Piano’s design, making appropriate refinements as needed during the design review process.
Um, excuse me? I'll build "your" design, but with changes that I deem "appropriate"? When my clients say that I threaten them with a lawsuit. Sounds exceptionally fishy.
Mar 25, 07 9:54 pm ·
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9 Comments
Finally someone stands tall against these developers. We must applaud Mr.Piano's decision not to bend over, like today's many architects. If this is the end of this story, which I hope not, then it's one sad day not only for the City of Boston, but also architecture in North America.
from the sound of it he stood tall against increasing the width of his building and not against demolishing the Rudolph. Renzo seemed fine with that, judging from the previous article...
whatever the real story behind might be, it is a great general messege by a world renown architect. there needs to be more statements like that, if architects want to gain more public respect and identity. and also show some concern that money making is not everything in development goals.
i agree.
this part is truly unfortunate, for more than one reason:
The Boston Landmarks Commission imposed a 90-day delay in the demolition of the Rudolph building on March 13, but Mr. Belkin said that the Boston firm CBT Architects intended to “implement Piano’s design, making appropriate refinements as needed during the design review process."
I'm a fan of Rudolph, but if tearing down one of his building to create a new icon of the City of Boston, I must say it's small price to pay.
Increasing the width of the building is direct challenge to architect's design, especially since it is a skyscraper.
well, that sounds like nonsense to me, fulcrum. i would be interested to hear a more complete explanation of this position.
ok, I did have a mixed emotion when I heard this "tear down Rudolph's building to build Piano's work." Any real estate in downtown Boston is super expensive, if there's any land available. Plus, Boston desperately needs a new significant architectural piece to keep up with other big international cities. Now, the city finally has this rare opportunity to build something significant. You have to agree with me that not a lot of people know about Rudolph's BlueCross/BlueShield building. AP, you might see Rudolph as a better architect than Piano, but Piano's architectural influence is a lot broader and deeper than Rudolph's, in my humble opinion. That's why, although I hate to say this, I must agree with Piano's position,
“I am a great admirer of Rudolph’s and I always ask myself, ‘Can we try to keep a building as a piece of architectural memory?’ ” [Piano] said. “But if it is not demolished, we lose the opportunity to create a city square.”
It would have been the best solution if Piano was able to somehow incorporate BC/BS building into his new building, but oh well, at least we can keep Rudolph's work. My former boss was a student/employee of Mr.Rudolph's, and he told me about how Mr.Rudolph stayed up all night by himself to draw some perspective drawings for presentation. Who still does that? I would love to see that kind of enthusiasm from today's architects.
it sounded like the removal of the rudolph wasn't for piano's building, but for a forecourt of some kind. seems like this could have been reconsidered, unless it was part of getting some sort of additional square footage allowance by giving 'pedestrian space'.
whatever the circumstances, i'm glad piano stood up. i wish there was a way to protect the rudolph still because it sounds like cbt is likely to be even [i]less
concerned about the damage they do.
i'd be surprised if they're able to "implement piano's design" in any form. usually there are agreements in place that keep the architects' work from being used if they're no longer involved.
Um, excuse me? I'll build "your" design, but with changes that I deem "appropriate"? When my clients say that I threaten them with a lawsuit. Sounds exceptionally fishy.
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