We've been receiving news today that the Buckhead Branch Library, designed by Mack Scogin/Merrill Elam (Scogin Elam Bray at the time), is in danger of being razed if local developers Ben Carter Properties get their way. The developers want to purchase the library, tear it down and replace it with a parking lot. Even more disappointing than the possible fate of the library, is the description of the building as "an abortion" by Fulton County Commissioner Tom Lowe.
This sounds like a job for MAPA!
Photos copyright Hursley Photography
"That library, to my way of thinking, was an abortion the day it was dedicated," Fulton County Commissioner Tom Lowe said. "I am a lover of art. I can even stand abstract art. But God darn, who in the world would build something like that? There ain't no damn artistic value to that library."
Charles Loudermilk, the founder of Aaron Rents, agreed. "I see it from my window. I think it's ugly," Loudermilk said. "I like brick and limestone, stuff that looks like quality."
Full story from AJC
Submitted from an Archinect reader...
We need to rally the troops to save this building. It is one of the best buildings in Atlanta. See the idividuals and links below, start with the library system.
Comments@co.fulton.ga.us
This is the basic library email address to send comments to the library.
The head of the library is John F. Szabo
The Fulton County commission Chairman is John Eaves.
Shout the Manifesto, "Down with Haughty Buckhead EIFS Architecture"
DISCUSS in the Forum
9 Comments
whoa, jump on it mapa.
me thinks
a. tom has been reading a bit of kunstler
b. tom's mom should have had a... er...
this is one of the few (pre-piano) projects i actually liked in ATL.
This just in...
A public forum has been created as a petition to save the Buckhead Branch Library at www.savethelibrary.blogspot.com ...Archinectors who wish to save the library, please go add your name and comments.
i find it slightly odd that none of those pictures of the library include any books
I love this quote...
"I think it's ugly," Loudermilk said. "I like brick and limestone, stuff that looks like quality."
"
What an ass...Way to be subjective..
"...looks like quality"...love it...
[vent] there is a giant gap from the public perception of good architecture, and our profession...this gap is even larger in the USA - from personal experience - as our profession inches closer and closer to a straight forward service industry, this will soon be beyond educating a client? when the bellagio casino is the most endeared work of contemporary architecture, and buildings such as buckhead library are called abortions, something is not right. [/vent]
Why don't we raze Buckhead and leave the library.
"Why don't we raze Buckhead and leave the library."
Brilliant.
But where would the displaced Republicans go?
Atlanta; continuing to further the southern philistine paradigm. NICE.
It may not be a style agreeable to everyone, but this building has artistic historical importance internationally as well as locally.
A library is meant to create a space where a person can separate himself from the active ramblings of the urban landscape. This building achieves it by sculpting space into different forms, inspiring a change of mind-filled habits with its untraditional placements of steel frame columns, concrete walls and overhangs. The goal of a successful library design is best accomplished when it can proclaim itself, while within a stationary stance, to be a haven for thoughtful investigations of knowledge. That is what this modern design has achieved. Save this library from destruction!
This building serves an ongoing purpose for the greater population of Atlanta, not only as a library, but also as proof of Atlanta's creative presence among an international audience!
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