I have been getting some flak recently for pointing out 'bastardized ' row houses in this neighborhood. Well, I thought I would show you, dear reader, that I also notice the nice renovations. In the future, I promise, I will point out those houses whose owners actually care enough to respect the architecture of their homes. With that in mind, take a look at this job at the corner of Hicks and Dean.
Pretty wonderful, no?
Renovation done right!
Bravo!
P.S. I will, however, continue to point out the bad ones too.
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3 comments:
I gather from your posts that your architectural preference is in historic preservation or, in this example, a new urbanist vein - rather than modern/post-modern avant garde. More Celebration, Florida than Berlin or Barcelona.
I appreciate contextual development, too, but I wonder: does that always mean boundaries can't be pushed? Is something that looks new always bad? I despise Novo/The Crest on 4th Avenue, but mostly because they are architectural "nothings"- the muzak of building design.
What would you think if "celebrity" buildings like Gaudi's Casa Milà were in Brooklyn? Or Rem Koolhaas's Seattle Public Library?
Or for residential contextual development, what do you think about David Baker's Curran House or the Yerba Buena Lofts in SF? Or in NY, Hugh Hardy?
Hi Anon,
I wish there were easy answers to your very thought provoking questions.
Is new always bad? Is the renovation of the little building I featured "Disneyesque?"
Let me first say that I welcome any attempt to keep a historical neighborhood like Carroll Gardens intact for future generations. All too often, one bad renovation or a badly designed addition can ruin the continuity of a row of townhouses.
So I guess I am more of a purist when it comes to one of the oldest planned community...
Would a Gaudi or a Koolhaas building fit into Brooklyn? Yes, but maybe not into Brownstone Brooklyn. Those are the types of buildings that could have been built along 4th Avenue instead of the East German "Plattenbau" Architecture currently going up on that up-zoned stretch. What a missed opportunity to make that Avenue magnificent.
You asked about the Curran House? Will I put my foot in my mouth and say that it looks very 1960's European? I lived in an apartment building which looked similar to it when I was very young. It is interesting, but is it beautiful?
I do however like the Yerba Buena Lofts. The building is so radically different and well thought out. And last but not least, H3 is involved in some major renovation project which are just amazing. And I think that their Sienna and their 4 W buildings would work splendidly in Brooklyn, especially downtown.
Please feel free to send me photos of renovations you feel are successful. I would love to continue this little exchange.
It's all good. Really good. Bravo! Renovation Done Right! is awesome! I can’t tell you how happy I am with Bravo! Renovation Done Right!. Keep up the excellent work!
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