Ouroussoff, Tell Us How You Really Feel
New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff doesn’t mince words in reviewing the new design for the Atlantic Yards Arena. “The recent news that the developer Forest City Ratner had scrapped Frank Gehry’s design for a Nets arena in central Brooklyn is not just a blow to the art of architecture,” he writes in today’s…
New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff doesn’t mince words in reviewing the new design for the Atlantic Yards Arena. “The recent news that the developer Forest City Ratner had scrapped Frank Gehry’s design for a Nets arena in central Brooklyn is not just a blow to the art of architecture,” he writes in today’s Arts section. “It is a shameful betrayal of the public trust, one that should enrage all those who care about this city.” But wait, there’s more: “In a stunning bait-and-switch, Forest City Ratner has now decided that it can’t afford an architect of Mr. Gehry’s stature. Neglecting to tell the public, the firm went out months ago and hired Ellerbe Becket, corporate architects known for producing generic, unimaginative buildings. And although it has refused to release details of the design, the renderings, obtained by The New York Times, tell you all you need to know.” Indeed they do.
Battle Between Budget and Beauty, Which Budget Won [NY Times]
joe the bummer, how dare you. You’ve obviously never come over the Williamsburg Bridge, seen the new Home Depot and driven down Broadway under the JMZ line. 🙂
A very interesting article. Not surprisingly, I agree with much of what he says, although I did not care for many aspects of the original Gehry design, specifically Ms Brooklyn and the housing towers. But sorry, Petebklyn, oldtimer is right, the argument for the stadium was not about design or who the architect is/was.
An interesting fact brought out was how many designs and reworkings Gehry did until he was dumped. The man is one of the top 10 architects in the world, and one of the most expensive. He has a large staff, most of whom probably worked on this. How much money has FCR paid out to him? Millions, I’m sure. I’m sure we’ll be paying for that somehow, plus the costs of the new firm.
Most importantly in the long run is the fact that architecture matters. We rag on Fedders houses, not because we are elitist snobs (most of us aren’t, anyway) but because they are prolific representations of the dumbing down, the nickel and diming, of what was once an honored treasure of civilization – the buildings that make up our cities, towns and hamlets. Architecture may have had its highest flowering in building for the wealthy, but no matter the client or the budget, it always used to be concerned with that intangible sense of pride and place, and how any building works in context and in complement to its environment. Now it seems to be merely a tool of power.
come on ditto, work with me here. I had to come up with a reason to give a sh!t on short notice this morning. There weren’t any articles about brownstone prices.
Anything in NYC more than a few blocks away you is totally off your radar screen. There can literally be a parade two blocks away and you have no idea. that’s what’s great about this place.
Come on everyone, look around. REALLY look at Brooklyn, from one horizon to the other, next time you get a good view, perhaps next time you come over the bridge on the Q. Attractive? No. Never was, never will be. This is an area where the most significant cultural lanmark is Juniors Diner. Life won’t be any different with another big ugly building on Atlantic ave.
You can spend a billion dollars to plunk the Bilbao museum down in the middle of the Fresh Kills landfill, but it’s still a dump!
A pedestrian Mall maybe?
Bunch o’ A-holes!
Blah, blah, blah, blah!!! It is getting old already.
northsloperenter and daveinbedstuy-
I think everyone would agree with your asessment of that area as it is now, but I think your assessment is shortsighted. You seem to have the mindset that just because the area is a black hole currently, that’s what it’s destined to be forever. There is no reason why proper development couldn’t foster a nice link between Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, and Park Slope.
I’m not sure what proper development means. I don’t think it was the original Gehry plan and I certainly don’t think it’s this arena, but the belief that this area is destined to be a dirty empty place forever is the wrong attitude. Yes, it will always be a busy intersection which is a huge challenge, but not one that cannot be overcome with a good plan.
Right on, Boerum Hill!
come on – basketball is just netball with guys. grit my a$$.
The thing about the Gehry design is that it addressed the black hole effect. The stadium was softened by the other buildings around it, and the whole complex factored in pedestrians.
The new design does none of that. It will only serve to push apart the neighborhoods that come together here rather than draw them together. A tragic missed opportunity, as Ouroussoff points out.
At this point I do hope nothing gets built if this is all we can look forward to.