(9.9) You drive by it all the time, here’s your chance to step inside and take a look around. The Providence Art Club invites the public to come check them out this Saturday afternoon with open artist studios, guided tours, live music, with food and cocktail specials at the Providence Art Club Block Party: This …
The architectural quirkiness and traditional character of the Wickenden streetscape continue to be threatened. Plans to raze the buildings at 269 (seen here) and the adjacent 249 Wickenden Street and replace them with yet another generic, cheesy-looking mixed-use box, passed a first hurdle Tuesday with the Providence City Plan Commission. Members of the Fox Point …
There is some comfort in knowing that this crappy generic architecture is a countrywide problem — maybe there will be enough push-back to force these developers back to the drawing board. Providence residents have started noticing how the cheesy sameness of these new buildings is blighting the streetscapes of the city. In “America, the Bland” …
This one bears consideration. This proposal seemed to come out of nowhere and in a whole new, inspired, location. Architecture critic David Brussat writes in “Presto chango bus hub idea”: Seemingly out of the clear blue sky a completely new bus hub idea has suddenly emerged in Providence. The Innovation District Transit Center, it’s called. …
Doors Open RI has launched a photo sharing site for people who like taking and sharing photos of places they love around the state. Go to Rhody Loves Notes to find out how and where to join in. Not much to it really; just share your Love Note using the hashtag #rhodylovenotes on Facebook, Instagram, …
(7.17) I love this building. And I really appreciate having the opportunity to prove that I do not reject all modern architecture out of hand. (It should also be noted that no citizens’ group was ever organized to oppose this project because the designers complied with the city’s Comprehensive Zoning Plan!) This Wednesday Governor Raimondo, …
(12.4) In the mid-1930’s John Nicholas Brown II and his wife Anne set out to change society by embracing modernism and commissioning Richard Neutra’s first building on the East Coast. The house, known as Windshield for its enormous “seamless” windows, was Neutra’s first East Coast commission. Filmmaker Elissa Brown tells the story of her grandparents’ …
(9.23) I’m very excited about this event and I think people will want to save the date. This free, self-guided tour of the city provides access to over twenty one-of-a-kind locations across Providence. The Doors Open Rhode Island Festival takes place Saturday, September 23, from 10am to 6pm — times for individual sites vary — …
(9.7) Former ProJo architecture critic David Brussat will be at Books on the Square Thursday to talk about his book “Lost Providence.” Providence has one of the nation’s most intact historic downtowns and is one of America’s most beautiful cities. The history of architectural change in the city is one of lost buildings, urban renewal …
(6.25) With klezmer and snacks and some eye-popping architectural treasures. Hosted by Doors Open RI this event provides an opportunity to learn the history of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, where a small group continues to worship, and their plans for the future. The original synagogue dates to 1906 when there was a large Jewish …
(6.19) This building is almost entirely windows with some brickwork in between to hold the structure up. The WaterFire Arts Center website explains how this excessive fenestration served the needs of the original U.S. Rubber Company: The WFAC has a great number of large windows. This allowed the maximum amount of natural sunlight to enter …
[Update: As of 11:43am all three dates have sold out.] Tickets become available starting 11am today, Tuesday. Do not delay. The last time the building owners offered tours, the 200 available slots were snapped up in under two hours. According to the Providence Journal, The tours, which will last about an hour and a half, …
The Friends of Rochambeau are holding a mini book sale featuring near-mint books on art and architecture. Also on sale, “1000s of newly donated CDs.” This is a great idea. People looking for art books will appreciate not having to wade through all the other stuff — a big art sale is coming up at …
Art & Architecture Book Sale — Rochambeau Saturday Read More »
(5.12) The George C. Arnold Building is 12 feet wide and it’s all fixed up now. The rehabilitation of this unique edifice will be celebrated with an open house on Thursday, May 12. The event includes an exhibit of large scale paintings, ‘Reconstructed.’ (Facebook event.) RECONSTRUCTED proudly showcases four local artist creating large scale paintings …
And the honor should not be shared. (State politics being what they are, that needed saying.) Two proposals for renaming the IWay Bridge have been introduced to the Senate Committee for Special Legislation. According to the Providence Journal, “It’s not something I am going to cause a stink about,” said Sen. Josh Miller, D-Cranston, on …
Congratulations to Journal staff writer John Hill who managed to find someone willing to speak in defense of the Fogarty Building, now slated for demolition. (ProJo 1.9.16) . . . Ned Connors, an architect and historian of the Weybosset urban renewal project, says he will miss the Fogarty building. It’s not ugly, he said, it’s …