Historic Resources Committee

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  • 1.  Threat to the New York Public Library

    Posted 04-24-2012 02:27 PM
    Members of the AIA Historic Resources Committee should be aware of the revived plans for a complete gutting of the historic stack area of the central library in New York, the masterpiece of Carrere and Hastings. As a Fellow of the AIA and a co-author of the definitive work on Carrere and Hastings, I believe it is the responsibility of architects around the world to protest this effort to ruin this important building with an ill-advised renovation by Sir Norman Foster.

    I have previously posted blogs on this subject, available at hewittarch.wordpress.com. I am enlisting the help of the Institute for Classical Architecture and Art, as well as the CNU, but believe it will be necessary to marshal all the available public forces to prevent this project from going forward. Librarians and preservationists are already overwhelmingly against the plan, but both the library's new director, and its tone-deaf board, are advancing the project in spite of the negative reaction. Even a recent New York Times story elicited so much anger that comments had to be cut off after only one day.

    Please respond to this comment thread and indicate how you might aid this effort. If we do not act fast one of America's greatest landmark buildings may be altered for the worse, preventing generations from experiencing its wonders.



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    Mark Hewitt FAIA
    Mark Alan Hewitt Architects
    Bernardsville NJ
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    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 2.  RE:Threat to the New York Public Library

    Posted 04-25-2012 01:55 AM


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    Brian Hart AIA
    Delta BC
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    Mark:

    As a first year architecture student from (small town) Canada, I toured New York in 1961.  One of the images that flashed into my mind when you led with the the New York Public Library was the very the "magic" of the stack area.

    There are a couple of on-line petition systems that could be activated to increase the coverage, or accessing the AIA total e-mail list, if the number of people with concerns will help the cause.

    Otherwise, I'm on the list.

    Regards

    Brian G. Hart MAIBC FRAIC MCIP AIA APA





    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 3.  RE:Threat to the New York Public Library

    Posted 04-26-2012 10:50 AM

    I agree with Brian's idea. The stacks and the old reading room were two of the highlights of my 2007 visit to NYC as well. I had thought to recommend that you nominate the stacks to the National Trust's most endangered list for 2012 - I've seen that work to save a building before - but the deadline closed in February. But perhaps NYC or NY State has a preservation group that sponsors endangered lists? The Kansas Preservation Alliance announces theirs in May. And with May being Preservation Month it sounds like an ideal time to get some media attention and online petitions! If Brian remembers 1961 and I remember 2007...maybe we could fill in the years between and make a statement?


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    Julia Manglitz AIA
    Treanor Architects, PA
    Topeka KS
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    Original Message
    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 4.  RE:Threat to the New York Public Library

    Posted 04-27-2012 02:42 PM
    Thank you to both Julia and Brian for these suggestions. The ten most endangered list may not be released for some time but I will definitely do a nomination. Alas, there is nothing like it in New York (though New Jersey has one).

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    Mark Hewitt FAIA
    Mark Alan Hewitt, AIA, Architect
    Bernardsville NJ
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    Original Message
    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 5.  RE:Threat to the New York Public Library

    Posted 04-27-2012 03:03 PM
    At James's suggestion, I have just added a petition to Change.org on this issue. If you want to sign it, go to http://http//www.change.org/petitions/the-director-of-the-new-york-public-library-anthony-marx-stop-the-foster-gutting-of-the-new-york-public-library#

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    Mark Hewitt FAIA
    Mark Alan Hewitt, AIA, Architect
    Bernardsville NJ
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    Original Message
    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 6.  RE:Threat to the New York Public Library

    Posted 05-30-2012 04:05 PM
    AIA friends and those concerned about the NYPL controversy should look at the video of last Tuesday's forum on the Central Library Plan, held at the New School in Manhattan. I joined a number of critics as well as Anthony Marx and Robert Darnton to discuss the major issues and answer questions from an informed audience. The good news is that NYPL has engaged its critics and may be able to compromise. http://www.nypl.org/audiovideo/public-forum-central-library-plan-new-school

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    Mark Hewitt FAIA
    Mark Alan Hewitt, AIA, Architect
    Bernardsville NJ
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    Original Message
    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13