When is Historic Preservation Just Misplaced Nostalgia?

With projects in the U.S. and the U.K., architect Rafael Vinoly attempts to navigate "the hazy and treacherous borderlands that lie between architectural history and public nostalgia."

1 minute read

April 25, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

The famed architect is working on two projects revamping beloved industrial buildings; London's Battersea Power Station is famous for appearing on a Pink Floyd album cover, while the Domino Sugar Refinery in Williamsburg is famous for its 40 ft. sign.

Wayne Curtis of The Atlantic, who interviewed Vinoly, injects his own opinion into the story. He writes:

"Cities are living projects, and must be constantly edited, often by an invisible hand-one structure needs to be deleted to make room for another, an early draft of this neighborhood is recast in a newer, tighter form. If nostalgia rules the day, nothing changes, nothing moves forward."

Vinoly has mixed opinions, but expresses some wonder that these industrial hulks are so beloved.

Thanks to Richard Florida

FULL STORY: The Nostalgia Trap

Monday, April 25, 2011 in The Atlantic

Architecture History / Preservation United States United Kingdom Nostalgia Battersea Power Station Domino Sugar Refinery View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.