Posted on 02/03/2010 8:48:31 AM PST by C19fan
"A work of art, architecture, whatever it is, needs time to finally make a judgement as to whether it's right or not," says I.M. Pei in First Person Singular (1997), Peter Rosen's fine documentary about the architect. It is a cruel irony that after 30 years, what many consider Pei's greatest work, the East Building (right) of the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., has gone seriously wrong.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
The iconic Sydney Opera House also had its problems owing to its design, but there are also many examples of historic architectural false steps. The base of the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome is cinched in with an iron chain because the weight of the dome caused spreading at the base almost from its very completion.
I have some documentary on History channel of the like about St. Peter’s.
Hard to believe someone thought leaving piping and ducting exposed was a good idea.
Or having the equivalent of the side of a mountain ending at a sidewalk below was feasible.
That was a very interesting collection.
Thanks!
The East Building of the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. is one ugly mo-fo, inside and out.
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