I Think We Should Collectively Write An Article!!!

Kennedy, it seems like a great start.

Next would be applying what you wrote to several specific projects.

An alternative, but along the same lines, would be to compare an architect's point of view of what "works" with neighbors views of what "works". Maybe my idea is driven solely due to my background in real estate, but it seems as though many people on this board are driven crazy by NIMBYism, etc.

A column discussing the ways that architects see cities vs. neighbors might clarify some of the issues / problems / complaints that people have.

Why isn't it okay to plunk a 19-story office building on Boylston Street?

You don't have to go off on a tangent on how the projects themselves are "good or bad" but on an intellectual level, what are we dealing with, here?

I have to say, your argument that architects aren't only concerned with design leaves me skeptical; the only people who love City Hall are architects. And, even they are split. On every other level, it's a disaster. (Except that it's near public transportation). It's not part of any residential neighborhood, it's a maze of hallways that seemingly lead to nowhere, it's a mess when it comes to energy conservation, etc., etc., etc.

The Shreve Crump & Low building would be a good test case. You could certainly find enough to write about if you use just that one building. The neighbors are only concerned about height, it seems; perhaps, to a lesser extent, it's design, but on a peripheral level (it "looks nice", versus, "ugh, they can do better"). Members of this board seem ready to chain themselves to the doors to protect it from destruction. Why do they feel differently? Are they any different from neighbors? The architects want it to stay, for certain reasons while neighbors want it to stay, for completely different reasons.

But, does it matter? Either way, the owner can't seem to please anyone.

Finally, does "design by committee" hurt the city, to the extent that we're left with constructing buildings of the "least common denominator"? Is Boston worse than any other city, in this regard? Do we build ugly and small, because that's all developers can get approved? How does it hurt us, if it does at all?

An even easier topic: "Can we put a moratorium on brick-faced buildings, for at least the next 20 years?"
 
I don't know if you saw the more complete version of my outline on the thread, "The Article" but I began to show where I would incorporate specific projects. Hopefully I will have a working draft with your comments finished sometime before Thanksgiving.
 
Never got around to that T-Day deadline, I've gotten super bogged down with work (you know, the kind that counts toward GPA and the like).

I put it on the back burner, but my draft is all marked up by my english teacher (he was impressed). I'll try to find time to keep working on it, but I've got finals all next week. After that, I should have a lot more time on my hands.
 
I'm just about ready to de-volunteer myself. Every time I start writing a rough draft, I change my mind about ideas, and go off on tangents, and realize that what I'm saying is most likely not the general consensus of the forum.
 
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