An Open Letter to Fedders re: Fedders Houses
Think of this letter as a form of group therapy. A concerned Brooklyn resident writes an open letter to the president of Fedders, trying to convince the exec of the damage to his company’s image by being associated with the lowest form of architecture known to man: Seemingly profitably for FEDDERS, these buildings—ghastly in their…
Think of this letter as a form of group therapy. A concerned Brooklyn resident writes an open letter to the president of Fedders, trying to convince the exec of the damage to his company’s image by being associated with the lowest form of architecture known to man:
Seemingly profitably for FEDDERS, these buildings—ghastly in their plain-as-cardboard architecture from the get-go—require an air conditioning unit under every other window. Unfortunately, each FEDDERS air conditioner is giganticly emblazoned with the word FEDDERS across the public-facing side of the unit. So an unsightly edifice in the first place becomes [number of windows with FEDDERS air conditioners] times uglier. It’s about as repugnant as seeing the word FEDDERS boldly capitalized 29 times here in this letter. The net effect I describe is now commonly referred to as a FEDDERS House.
Letter to Fedders [Open Web Letter]
Anon 5:01
99% of this new construction is not replacing Brooklyn’s architectural history; and while I certainly dont like cookie cutter “fedder” style construction, if our old housing is more “insulted” by this new construction then by the empty lots and delapidated/abandoned housing that was dominant 20 years ago then tell the old houses to go Fu$# themselves.
Seamus ~
What a nice invitation to an intellegent discussion. All of us who disagree with you can leave? How about you kiss my ass and I continue to tell you that people who rant about Fedders signs on buildings are elitest snobs. Yuor arrogance is beyond the pale. I also don’t care if I am in the minority. I can handle that or even being wrong, but don’t tell me to leave because you don’t like my opinion.
The consensus seems to be that the built in Fedders A/C wall vents are unattractive and only add insult to many already unattractive new construction buildings. What’s even uglier is seeing an in wall A/C unit cut into the side of a Brownstone.
Personally I also dislike the precarious window A/C units. If central A/C is not available does anyone have a constructive suggestion on a more attractive installation of an in wall “Fedders” type A/C?
Aesthetically speaking, which is what I assume this discussion was about, crappy architecture is the downfall of Brookly. I was not aware that we were discussing Brooklyn in any other context. Brooklyn has some of the most beautiful residential housing stock of any city I have ever visited. The crap that is springing up now is an insult to the architectural history of this once beautiful borough. And just for the record, Brooklyn was hardly working class one hundred years ago.
The “disadvantaged” are accustomed to accepting ugly architecture (as long as it’s new) as desirable, because this is pretty much all they are offered. Beautiful neighborhoods engender pride in those neighborhoods, and a better quality of life for those residents, rich or poor. This has been the case, proven again and again, by ugly housing projects all over the US and Europe. No one should have to settle for ugly and soul destroying, just like no one should have to settle for crappy education or poor medical care. Just because something is functional does not mean that it can’t be attractive. Just ask William Morris.
this is ludicrous. i love the comment about how building were constructed 100 years ago. 100 years ago, workers had few rights, there was no workers comp or disability infrastructure, and precious little regulation of the entire construction business. Labor was cheap and living standards were much lower across the board. One of the prices we have all paid for a larger middle class is less beautiful handicrafted items- buildings clothes and etc. It is very sad. But when you leave out all the context and just call something ‘cheap’ amd ‘tasteless’ you sound so silly. we all prefer caviar. but we can’t always have it. in the meantine, save your precious eyes and look away. THIS will not be the downfall of brooklyn,,,
The 1st time I read about community complaining about ‘Fedder’s Building’s’
is not from the ‘elitist’ Brownstone belt but from BayRidge/Bensonhurst.
“Oh if only all of us could live in $2.0 million brownstones or $1.0 million condos. These buildings are fine and the Fedders covers are usually gone after a year. They are not that bad.”
No – they’re terrible and if you think they’re not, please start your own blog named something like: “notasteatall.com”, or “idontgiveashitwhatitlookslike.com” and you and the other 10 percent of posters here who keep defending ugliness can go trade your intelligent banter over there.
And a few of you should also start a blog called: “affordablehousinghastobeugly.com” because evidently you can’t understand 1) that almost none of the units that have been discussed here are designed for, or have been sold to, low income families and 2) that it is possible to build housing which is simple, affordable yet well designed.
Where are you people from??? Are any of you originally from Brooklyn any of part of NYC???? I’m guessing most of you are new to the block particularly the person who posted the ridiculous comment “and that is what will be the downfall of Brooklyn …not brilliant, high-minded modern design but the cheap and ugly,”
There have been, what you call Fedders houses, built in Brooklyn for at least 40 years if not longer. Brooklyn is still standing and doing well, very well thank you. Why…diversity, diversity in the population, the housing stock, and taste; yes taste some in fact many who did not grow up disadvantaged but rather quite well off like the new construction. Those who can not appreciate that part of what makes Brooklyn great is this wonderful diversity should consider moving back to the little towns and suburbs they came from.