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Isn't it interesting how just about all city halls built before World War II were beautiful buildings that fit in well with their surroundings? Those buildings had a sense of place. They reflected the character, history, traditions, and aspirations of their cities. They reflected the pride that people had in their city. Although somewhat palatial in appearance, a citizen could walk in the front door knowing that this was "my city hall".
Look at the city halls built since then, especially up until the late 1980's. There is absolutely no sense of place. They could be in any city in the world. They are generic, with absolutely NO character. They could just as easily be office buildings, corportate headquarters, or medical buildings. They also exemplify the postwar love affair with concrete. Oh how I wish I owned a cement factory in the 1960's!
These buildings show a contempt for the people. Most have no obvious front door (a common feature of postwar architecture). The message they give is: you don't need to know what's going on in here. Leave it to the experts.
The brutalist trend in architecture had its direct inspiration in totalitarianism. How and why did this become acceptable in this country?
What were the architects thinking? What did this say about the city fathers that accpeted these designs? What did this say about our culture?
Isn't it interesting how just about all city halls built before World War II were beautiful buildings that fit in well with their surroundings? Those buildings had a sense of place. They reflected the character, history, traditions, and aspirations of their cities. They reflected the pride that people had in their city. Although somewhat palatial in appearance, a citizen could walk in the front door knowing that this was "my city hall".
Look at the city halls built since then, especially up until the late 1980's. There is absolutely no sense of place. They could be in any city in the world. They are generic, with absolutely NO character. They could just as easily be office buildings, corportate headquarters, or medical buildings. They also exemplify the postwar love affair with concrete. Oh how I wish I owned a cement factory in the 1960's!
These buildings show a contempt for the people. Most have no obvious front door (a common feature of postwar architecture). The message they give is: you don't need to know what's going on in here. Leave it to the experts.
The brutalist trend in architecture had its direct inspiration in totalitarianism. How and why did this become acceptable in this country?
What were the architects thinking? What did this say about the city fathers that accpeted these designs? What did this say about our culture?
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Surprised!
