--------------------- Forwarded message: From: [log in to unmask] Sender: [log in to unmask] Reply-to: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Date: 97-11-21 04:55:49 EST I would like to add a few more comments to the already useful list facadectomy horrors. Indeed, don't forget the the venerated White House itself was totally demolished in 1952, except for the exterior sandstone walls. If you look up the photo of the bulldozer plwing dirt at the base of the interior of the exterior walls, with nothing left inside, you will find it unforgettable. The new structure is a steel frame building constructed intside the walls. The same fate befell the California Capitol building during the Reagan administration - in the name of seismic strengthening (in Sacramento, which is not in a high seismic zine!). In Vernont, a hotel in Montpelier was torn down and replicated (on the exterior) with a new steel frame structure, after the contractor convinced the historic preservation advocates that it was cheaper to do that (back in the late 60's), and in Pasadena, the Huntington Hotel was demolished to the ground (no walls left standing), and replicated in its exterior appearance 10 years ago after engineers submitted a seismic report whixh "proved" the building would collapse in an earthquake of the size it had just survived with no damage. Indeed, this problem is not unique to the USA, I have seen it going on all over Europe. Usually, the facade is kept standing, but not always. In fact, the situation is made worse by unyealding building codes, which make it very difficult to save interior structures with wooden elements. The new - pan European code may even add to the difficulties. The list goes on - but, with the White House, leading the list, you are in good company. Randolph Langenbach [log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]