But the relationship
between historical preservation and urbanism can be uneasy. Sometimes, a surviving building interferes
with the street grid needed to facilitate walkability. Other times, an old building lacks the height
and volume to meet urbanist goals.
Thus, it’s a
pleasure to find a historic building that has been creatively retrofitted to
accommodate urbanism. The Arc Light
Building in San Francisco, near AT&T Park, is a fine example. As described by John King in the San Francisco Chronicle, the footprint
and façade of the building were maintained, with a block of apartments, largely
glass-fronted and contemporary in appearance, added within and above the
historic building.
I don’t
claim to have a particularly discerning architectural eye. I know what I like, but often lack the education
or words to express that enjoyment. In
this case, I can only note that the contrast between the historical brickwork
and the modern glass spotlights both elements and provides a clear image of a
city moving forward.
I hope that all
of our cities are able to find similar opportunities to save the past while
accommodating the present and the future.
Scheduling Notes
For August,
Petaluma Urban Chat moves to the first Tuesday of the month, which will be
August 6. The change was necessitated by
a scheduling conflict. We’ll begin at
5:30pm at the Aqus Café in Petaluma. This
will be a meeting for which speakers will replace our book discussion. Bill White and Vin Smith of Basin Street will
present the proposed Riverfront project.
Anyone with an interest in the urban form is welcome.
In
September, the Urban Chat meeting will return to the second Tuesday of the
month. Susan Starbird of Petaluma
Waterways will talk about the Petaluma River Access Plan.
For those
willing to don walking shoes, Urban Chat will take walks around Windsor on
Saturday, September 21 and around Petaluma on Sunday, October 20. All are welcome. More details will be provided as the dates
approach.
As always,
your questions or comments will be appreciated.
Please comment below or email me.
And thanks for reading. - Dave Alden (davealden53@comcast.net)
(Note: Photos
are from the San Francisco Chronicle article.)
I too find the building pictured gratifying just to look at — and I'm so grateful to John King who does have the words and education to describe architecture that I like and why I like it. I always look for him in the San Francisco Chronicle. I think both the Chronicle and the City are lucky to have him. I appreciate both more richly because of his writing. (He once did a good piece on Petaluma.) It would be a good outing to go to "John King's Favorite Historic Retrofits" in SF!
ReplyDeleteBarry, thanks for the comment. I agree that a Joh King tour would be a great idea. Can I count on you to do the necessary research?
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