>Main principle executed by the landmark commission
>was to maintain original foundation (often medieval with some archeological
>discoveries reaching to the 10th century), scale, material and orientation
>of original roofing giving architects the freedom to design contemporary
>housing project. The effect passed all the expectations - the city of
>Szczecin got it's balance back, looks like the area is going to be a great
>economic success. You have over there mix of styles (every bulding has its
>own designer no way for one architectural genius to take over) - not
>everything is perfect but this is the freedom of the life. Good project
>looks beautiful when surrounded by the ordinary...

This is the secret of good infill development in historic areas, if you ask
me.  I believe that new construction should be of its own time.  We are
trying to preserve cultural continuities.  Only a few stellar historic
districts with remarkable integrity should ever be considered to be
administered as museums, with no change or deviation from the paradigm of
"period of significance."  To me, new design is reflective of vitality and
evolution, and the mark of an economically successful place that has the
resources to invest in an older area.

The key is administering good design...giving good designers the leeway to
share the cultural influences of our day, while providing strictures to
poor designers to prevent them from introducing something "bad" into the
ensemble.  Bad designers end up being required to copy the old stuff so
that at least it doesn't detract from what is there; good designers end up
providing a provacative interpretation of the place that extends and
enhances its cultural milieu.

_________________________________________________

Dan Becker, Exec. Dir.,                   "What's this?  Fan mail
Raleigh Historic Districts Comm.      from some flounder?"
[log in to unmask]                           --Bullwinkle J. Moose