I Wish Modern Architecture Would Stop Assaulting My Eyes
ly of their rights and responsibilities as Americans, but also of the continuity of the American experiment,” the order reads.
Preserving History or Embracing Modernity?
The Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, Oregon, is a historical landmark that has stood for over 80 years. The red brick building, built in 1936, is a testament to the town’s rich history and legacy. However, plans to replace the courthouse with a modern building have sparked controversy among locals.
The proposed six-story courthouse looks more like a prison or an industrial park than a courthouse. The building’s vertical lines of windows, offset stretches of brick, and rooftop utility boxes and solar panels are a far cry from the classical architecture of the original courthouse. The new building’s grounds will feature modern art and geometric walkways, further distancing it from the town’s historic roots.
A Lost Legacy
The original courthouse served nearly 57,000 residents in 1940. Today, the building is struggling to serve over 420,000 residents. While a new courthouse is necessary, officials’ decision to pursue modern architecture has left many locals feeling disappointed. The new building will no longer remind them of their past but of Soviet-era apartments.
Classical architecture, with its use of columns, arches, and light, portrays natural beauty, order, and harmony. Former President Donald Trump even issued an executive order in 2020 to give classicism preference in any new federal buildings, citing the nation’s founders. The order reads, “They sought to use classical architecture to visually connect our contemporary Republic with the antecedents of democracy in classical antiquity, reminding citizens not only of their rights and responsibilities as Americans, but also of the continuity of the American experiment.”
Preserving the Past for the Future
As we move towards a more modern and technologically advanced future, it’s important to remember our past and preserve our history. The Clackamas County Courthouse is a symbol of the town’s rich legacy and should be preserved for future generations to appreciate. While modern architecture has its place, it’s important to strike a balance between preserving the past and embracing the future.
- Preserving historical landmarks is crucial for maintaining a connection to our past.
- Classical architecture has a timeless beauty that modern architecture can’t replicate.
- Striking a balance between preserving the past and embracing the future is essential for creating a better tomorrow.
Let’s hope that officials reconsider their decision and choose to preserve the Clackamas County Courthouse’s historical legacy for future generations to appreciate.
Why Modern Architecture Rejects Classicism
Classic architecture has long been associated with power, tradition, and beauty. But in recent years, modern architects have rejected classicism in favor of experimentation and free expression. This rejection was exemplified by former President Trump’s controversial order, which required federal buildings to be designed in a classical style.
The Beauty of Classicism
Classic architecture has a timeless appeal that has captivated people for centuries. Its grandeur and symmetry evoke a sense of order and stability, while its intricate details and ornate decorations showcase the skill and craftsmanship of the builders. Classicism is not just about aesthetics, however. It also embodies a set of values and principles that emphasize the importance of tradition, heritage, and continuity.
But modern culture has rejected these values, and with them, classicism’s inherent beauty. President Biden rescinded Trump’s order in 2021, signaling a shift away from classical architecture in federal buildings.
The Ruination of Historic Buildings
The rejection of classicism has led to the ruination of many historic buildings. The Antwerp Port Authority in Belgium, for example, was a beautiful Gothic building that served as a meeting house for a medieval guild. But when officials needed a new building for the port authority, modern architects made an addition: a giant glass lump that dwarfs the historic building and contains bureaucratic offices and fluorescent lights.
The Military History Museum in Dresden, Germany, faced a similar fate. Modern architects stuck a large hunk of metal into the building’s side in 2011, and its interior was transformed into a confusing maze of tilted walls and poorly built stairways.
The Importance of Preserving Tradition
While modern architecture may offer new and exciting possibilities, it is important to remember the value of tradition and heritage. Historic buildings are not just relics of the past; they are living testaments to the values and principles that have shaped our society. By preserving these buildings, we can ensure that future generations will have a tangible connection to their history and culture.
- Classic architecture embodies a set of values and principles that emphasize tradition, heritage, and continuity.
- Modern architecture often ruins historic buildings with poorly designed additions and renovations.
- Preserving historic buildings is important for maintaining a connection to our history and culture.
The Guggenheim Museum: Modern Architecture Gone Awry
The Guggenheim Museum in New York City is a well-known and beloved landmark, but it’s also a prime example of modern architecture gone awry. The building’s lopsided design, with incoherent lines leading to a top-heavy spiral staircase, gives the impression of a parking garage rather than a museum. The “oculus,” a circular skylight, only adds to the mall-like atmosphere. In its attempts to be symbolic, simplistic, and abstract, the Guggenheim appears cheap and lacking in substance.
Unfortunately, this is a common theme in modern architecture. It values human achievement and perception, but little else. As a result, modern buildings quickly fall out of favor and into disrepair due to their utopian and unnatural designs.
The Timeless Beauty of Classical Architecture
Classical structures like the Pantheon, on the other hand, have stood the test of time. The Pantheon, built in the early 120s A.D., has been a Roman temple, a Christian church, and the burial site for several Renaissance figures and monarchs. For 1,300 years, it has featured the largest dome in the world. At the top of this dome lies an oculus, but unlike that of the Guggenheim, this oculus highlights the building’s intricate detail.
The Pantheon’s enduring beauty comes from hundreds of years of Western classicism, which offered columns, pillars, and arches to help support the large dome. These elements depict the rules of harmony, order, and continuity that modern architecture defies.
Sometimes, rules are good. A hunk of glass does not belong on the roof, a giant metal spike does not belong on the side of a building, and a parking garage is not a museum. An ugly box cannot carry a town’s legacy.
