I wonder what it is about older architecture that makes me like it so much? Surely not every old building is worthy, and surely not every new one is soulless. Yet it seems that way. The histories that inhabit old buildings are part of what make the structures attractive, but even without those stories it's the architecture I love. To me, older architecture is simply more beautiful than most modern stuff.
Even the rooms are more comfortable. The wood and plaster used in walls and floors, the old window glass, the softer lighting (one hopes no one has added fluorescents) and the inferior air conditioning--all these things make a building more comfortable. I even like old radiators.
I'm not exactly scientific about this, am I? I haven't made a study and I'm not going to. Architecture is an emotional issue for me.
21 comments:
I feel the same, Petrea, in fact, Melissa and Erik and I had this conversation in Springfield, MO earlier in the month, driving through downtown and seeing the old vs. new construction. And that's just the old in this country. In older countries, I'm sure the difference is even more pronounced. I wonder how I would have felt if I'd been around when the "old" buildings were new.
I sooo agree.... I love the old churches, buildings in Europe... the building there are so detailed especially in the column work... Old buildings have history not only shown in the detail of the bldg. but somehow old buildings have a warmth to them...
I wish them the best in their new building, but I am still sad that they bought and took over the site where I used to come to life draw and paint.
I also love that old building.
This post is choc (sp?) full of fun! Thanks for all the great history info. I haven't explored even half of what you've provided, and still I'm getting a late start on the day!
Denise, you point one thing I love about it: you can trace history through architecture across the US (older stuff on the east coast). I've seen very little of Europe, but Oh! They do seem to know their architecture is their treasure. They preserve it and use it! I spent my tourist dollars seeing old castles or mansion or whatever they'd let me see. There is new architecture in those cities, but as a tourist I just don't care.
KBF: My European experience is limited, but if I had to put it into two words I'd say "art everywhere."
Jean, I don't remember what was at the site before. I've been in Pasadena not quite 7 years. Could I have missed it?
Adele, both links lead to a labyrinth of other things. You don't have to read everything, but I hope you have fun.
Only seven years? Your feeling for my hometown and your appreciation of its history is gratifying. Pasadena's history includes tycoons of industry who wintered here, but also many others who came here and found it - made it - the place of their dreams.
I too love the old. It distresses me that we are so involved with constant change. My lame joke about the UK is that they don't tear old buildings down; they simply plant vines that hold them together.
Thank you for your lovely blog...
Betsy
In a world where no one is prepared to take care of anything it's inevitable that we have to keep building new structures.
An English Architect writes: Gosh, that's a lovely modern building, Petrea. What is it? Hollywood 1920s? Those windows are fabulous.
Anything after Louis Sullivan is "modern" in my book, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful. This one's a doozy.
Dive's comment made me laugh - he's right. We throw out most everything in Los Angeles when it reaches 50. It's the law
Betsy, a bit of reading tells the tale, and the vestiges of those tycoons are not hard to find. Those traces lead down trails of intrigue that I cannot resist.
Rath, I wouldn't say no one is interested, but I'll agree the preservationists are in the minority. Yet if a city's income relies on tourists (as does Pasadena's, at least in part), then those who would destroy the old are fools.
1920's would be about right, Dive. We have to take "old" where we can get it when we live in California!
Right, PA--either that or let it deteriorate like downtown LA.
When I worked at the Providence Preservation Society I had a sign on my desk that said "Everything old is new again." We were so lucky that we had a mayor who supported our preservation efforts and as a result much of the historic architecture in the city has been preserved and documented. The oldest building in the city was a 2 room house that dated from the 1620s. It was later incorporated into the very modest home of Stephen Hopkins (Declaration of Independence signer.)One of the best things about having these architectural gems still in the landscape was the way they helped us teach school children the history of their city. When I left, the PPS was just starting to target the many old mill buildings that dot the city and preserve them and reuse them as loft living and artist studios. Can you tell I miss the work. :)
The Royal Laundry was saved and renovated, thank goodness. Now it's Disney, isn't it? Of course, the laundry existed to serve the needs of those big tycoon houses. So many bedrooms, so many sheets!
As for Betsy's story about old buildings in the UK held together by vines, my grandson in the back of the car in London suddenly cried out in delight: "That house is made of leaves!!!."
Oh no, the IQ test is back and it's got even harder.
I've never visited the NE US, Bayside. I know I'd love it. We have an active preservation society here (Pasadena Heritage) and although our mayor is fair and weighs all sides, I've got a feeling he leans toward history and preservation as well.
Bellis, yes, I just saw the sign the other night and Disney still owns the building. Their products division uses it. A peek in the windows gives a glimpse of everything from the red-haired "Brave" girl to Mickey Mouse.
Sorry about the evil gatekeeper. I was getting spammed to death. I'll undo it when things calm down.
There were architect's offices and an art studio/gallery, which I miss. The gallery owner, Mark Wood, moved his studio out farther east in the San Gabriel Valley, in what is a storage type area under the 210(?) freeway.
You said it!
I love the old architecture..it's so much more interesting than new architecture...but then, in Europe, those cathedrals took hundreds of years to build, and I'll bet those fabulous craftsmen didn't get good benefits...
(I don't mind the evil gatekeeper at all...it's become quite the challenge!!! And does keep those nasty spammers away!!!)
There seems to be more character and soul in older buildings (those that are taken care of and not just left to rot). Many have wonderful detail work you just don't see on most modern buildings.
In your photo, a doorway that is timeless.
I like all kinds of architecture. It just depends. Upkeep makes a big difference.
I've seen some old, rotting structures that got my imagination going. I'm a soft touch.
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