The Revitalist

Update on a previous post on the fate of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield building downtown: the NY Times reports that Renzo Piano has withdrawn from the Trans National project. Apparently Piano was being pressured by the developer Steve Belkin to add width to the designed tower, and the two couldn't work out their differences. Belkin has hired CBT Architects to execute Piano's design (and presumably make the changes that Belkin wants). The Landmarks Commission issued a 90-day demolition delay on March 13th; but since they have no power to stop the demolition, it is expected to go through.

Orange County Government Center,
Goshen NYIn a related article, the Times has an appreciation of the work of Paul Rudolph (architect of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield building). The reporter toured Rudolph's buildings in the northeast, noting that several have already been demolished or are endangered and that pretty much all of their flat roofs leak. Not surprisingly, there isn't much praise lavished on Boston's "fortress-like" Government Center, designed by Rudolph and team, though the author does note that "it represents Rudolph's efforts to express government authority without resorting to historical motifs." While Rudolph's work was certainly unique and on the cutting edge, the novelty seems to have worn off a lot these buildings and their inhabitants are ready to settle for something more conventional and user-friendly.