Still Out of Scale on State Street
In case you’ve been wondering why Robert Scarano rubs people the wrong way, this eyesore at 326 State Street in Boerum Hill should speak for itself. When we posted about this place back in January, we wondered how he was able to get 8,833 square feet of space approved. The answer seems to be that…
In case you’ve been wondering why Robert Scarano rubs people the wrong way, this eyesore at 326 State Street in Boerum Hill should speak for itself. When we posted about this place back in January, we wondered how he was able to get 8,833 square feet of space approved. The answer seems to be that this is gross square footage and not actual square footage that DOB cares about. Size aside, however, the fact remains that this building is just a giant “F— You” to the community. In making zero attempt to respect its surroundings, it is a poster child for the need to strengthen and expand landmark boundaries. The poor neighbors.
326 State Street: When Too Much FAR Is a Bad Thing [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
I do not know Mr. Scarano, but judging by his designs, he seems to have contempt for historic buildings. I think it goes beyond merely a lack of sensitivity.
I sense hostility on the part of certain posters here as well. Hostility for older buildings, for the work of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, etc.
Preservationists in Brooklyn should not be complacent. The battles are far from won.
Give me a break brownstoner. The size is fine and some modern design makes the old buildings look that much nicer.
Besides, look at that eyesore building to the left in the photo. This is hardly a trademark brownstone Brooklyn block anyway.
Brooklyn is lucky to have Scarano. Really the only architect working in the Borough, Gehry and Meier one-offs notwithstanding.
If only the rest of new buildings in NYC looked as good as this.
JGNY – I don’t know how you can blame an architect for what kind of workers the developer uses. Yes, the architect specs the materials, but they are working under the direction of the developer and the developer can always sub cheaper materials. I do think scarrano buildings look cheap and ugly, but if anyone is to blame IT IS MORE THE DEVELOPERS, THAN THE ARCHITECT. And I know, I work for a developer. Guaranteed this developer went to scarrano and said, I want to max out FAR for the cheapest possible price I can skate by with to sell these things. I would bet the developer specifically dictated that the building be not set back to get every last inch out of zoning limitations. This is definitely a case of shooting the messenger.
You really can’t compare Scarano to Mies or Meier. Those guys do massive truly tremendous in design & scale projects.
That’s it. Everyone here is crazy. I’m moving to Los Angeles.
I hope this block get’s what it REALLY needs.
an olive garden.
or at least a tgi friday’s
Scarano must have a whole crew of Pratt second rate interns repsonding to these posts about him. The problem with Scarano is not in his placing modern buildings next to brownstones, it is that he designs modern building really really bad. He uses cheap materials, off the shelf components, and mostly crews of migrant workers who only know how to build shanties out of CMU’s. Good modern design (Mies, Meier, Corb) requires a rigor and command of materials and connections put together by craftsmen. Scarano uses the same details over and over and these tend to be the least expensive way to achieve, for eaxmple, a floor to ceiling window or a monolithic surface finish.
Why are so many of you so concerned with Mass and scale and not quality? Quality of design and construction methods. Just let the developers who are risking their money to improve your neighborhood push the boundries of short sighted zoning laws and let them make a buck for the risk!