Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Modern Architecture in Hudson
At Monday night's meeting of the Common Council, after the schematic design drawings for the proposed senior center were presented, Alderman David Marston (First Ward) complimented Jane Smith for proposing a structure of modern rather than imitative period design. He made reference to a municipal building designed by Spacesmith in New York City that he admired: the NYPD Impound Center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. For readers unfamiliar with that building, here it is.
More photographs of this structure, which received a design award from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, can be viewed on the Spacesmith website and at AIArchitect.
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I hate the look of that Spacesmith building, leaves me cold. Seems like the kind of place one would go for a proctology exam.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I appreciate the modern v. imitative debate, I just don't think our town is ready for it; it can't even decide to save a historic building on upper Columbia street or save the South Bay or even its Library! Until we get a civic culture that is open and democratic, I'd say, stop with all the "progress" already.
ReplyDeleteI like it. Makes a very nice impound lot -- nicer than any of the tow yards around here or most anyplace else.
ReplyDeleteThis is not about a design for a tow yard.Space=Smith should have designed the new firehouse and figured out how to attach the police headquarters and the city court to it,for 800,000k
ReplyDeleteinstead of cramming this 1960's school annex,on the side yard of a Historic Building in a Historic District,with no parking or green space for $800,00 k and no allotment to restore the Main Building.Right on Trke rte 23B9G ,between 2 traffic lights.and south Gateway into Hudson
the ability to build there has not been approved yet.
This is very discouraging
it had always been a tree filled yard historically and should return to that.
Imagine this building attached to Presbyterian Church on Warren & S.Fourth
filling every sq.inch.
This is no different
I have never understood the position that historic preservation and contemporary architecture live in opposition to one another. Hudson should do more to protect its historic and architectural legacy and every effort should be made to restore old buildings before they are torn down and replaced. But Hudson's character is an amalgam of many periods and styles, all true to their own moment in time. I think the architecture of today has a place in our community, and in the case of new construction it could quite possibly contribute more to our built environment than fake period buildings. My view on the Senior Center is complicated by the fact that I think an addition to the Youth Center was an unfortunate solution to providing our senior’s the space they deserve, but if there is to be an addition, Jane Smith’s proposal has a great deal to recommend it. I applaud the design and its relationship to the original structure and the urban fabric of Hudson.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is not Space Smith Design.or Architectural philosophy,.Its about where this is being built, how much it is going to cost,200k over 600k budget
Deletebefore they even start. How it affects neighbor, Historic Building,that is a Youth Center on a trke 23b9g and now will have no parking or any possibility for green space and the same will be true for the seniors.Also nothing in Hudson is WHITE as shown in rather exaggerated perspectives.
Prison Alley--To be fair, these are schematic design drawings. They do not represent the actual color of the materials. The former church building is represented as being white as well, which we all know is not the case.
ReplyDeleteYes ,that is what I meant.Salespitch.styled,where all the building are white.The main building at risk the Youth Center builing,is white.
ReplyDeleteso its out of mind during this crucial point in decisions and agreements,many now will be binding, to not play pretend drawing anymore
and actual commit to build.