Would you like a lost gem to be rebuilt?

WalPaulista · April 16th, 2012, 10:38 PM

When I saw the pictures on the renaissance of traditional architecture in the US, I decided to share one of the many lost beautiful buildings that the city of São Paulo lost "for the sake of progress", and would like to know what you think about the possibility of rebuilding lost gems.

Contrary people will usually say that what is lost is lost, and that a new one wil never be the same, for one thing the original materials are gone.

But, if we can´t have that very same building, why not have at least the beauty and the charm on the very same site? All in all, at least in São Paulo, few are the ones that were replaced with anything better.

Also, who would agree with building the old façades on newer buildings that have no architectural value, in cases when old buildings were replaced with cold, square glass/concrete boxes?

I´ll start by sharing Palacete Santa Helena:

000peter · April 30th, 2012, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Also, who would agree with building the old façades on newer buildings that have no architectural value, in cases when old buildings were replaced with cold, square glass/concrete boxes?

I would.

anomalia9 · April 30th, 2012, 04:00 PM

It would be nice if Japanes pre-WWII architecture would be restored. Any pre-WWII restored would be nice. Everything built since is heartless, cold, without beauty. It has no place in this world.

WalPaulista · April 30th, 2012, 06:42 PM

I believe that most of modern architecture is a reflection of a cold, extremely functional mind that humans have acquired during the 20th century.

As to Japan, I agree completely. Tokyo is, in general, all but beautiful.

Art Victim · July 19th, 2012, 05:40 PM

Bethlehemskirche, the church built for the 18th century bohemian inmigrants in the Mitte District, BERLIN and destroyed by bombing in 1943

This is an art work by the Spanish artist Juan Garaizabal that recovers its magnificent story/volume at the original place/size

I find it completely revolutionary.
This is how it looks by nightby night:

Bravo!

WalPaulista · July 19th, 2012, 06:49 PM

I would like to see the sculpture (although good looking) replaced by a reconstruction of the original...

Gistok · July 30th, 2012, 08:45 PM

They did something similar (but without the sculptural beauty) to Benjamin Franklin's house in Philadelphia.... butt ugly....

http://www.nps.gov/inde/franklin-court.htm

Gistok · July 30th, 2012, 08:47 PM

The one gem I would like to see rebuilt (hardly likely) is the Abbey Church at Cluny.... $$$$$

ThatOneGuy · August 2nd, 2012, 04:16 PM

Morrison Hotel, Chicago

WalPaulista · August 3rd, 2012, 10:10 PM

My goodness, how could anyone have put this down?????

WalPaulista · August 3rd, 2012, 10:12 PM

Has this really been put down?

OakRidge · August 4th, 2012, 06:52 PM

The destruction of Cluny is one of many reasons why the French Revolution was altogether terrible.

Gistok · August 4th, 2012, 07:45 PM

While Napoleon was off conquering Europe, the former monastery at Cluny,
largest in Christendom, was being wantonly demolished in 1810. Some
businessmen bought it outright, and started the demolition (for reuse as building
material). When the people from the village began to realize what was going on,
and were protesting to higher authorities, the new owners took more drastic
(and quicker) measures, and started blowing up parts of the church with
gunpowder in order to speed up the process. By the time they were finally
stopped only 1 transept (and its' tower) were left standing, and can still be seen
today.

What really makes this entire matter even more depressing is the fact that for
up to 50 years later... boys living in the area around Cluny were making paper
airplanes from the scattered illuminated manuscript parchment of the Cluny
library!!

ory26 · August 4th, 2012, 08:04 PM

Royal Picardy Hostel, France, destroyed by bombardement during WWII

Ocean Railroader · September 26th, 2012, 04:44 AM

One of the things I thought would be interesting would be to take spots in my home city where they plan to tear down 1870's houses which have really cool looking old rooms in them and use some type of lifting system to lift them on top of the new office or condo building when they build the new building in the same spot. In that I like the idea of them putting in new more denser buildings but at the same time I don't want to see the old houses get torn down.

I would love to see the former Richmond James River Canal system get rebuilt.

ThatOneGuy · September 26th, 2012, 04:56 AM

Königsberg Castle in Kaliningrad... One of the most beautiful castles ever built. It was destroyed in WWII.

In the Soviet times, it was replaced by this hideous hunk. To make it worse, this new building was never used or finished. Ever. It is a worthless concrete lump that needs to be demolished for a replica of Königsberg Castle.

Hed_Kandi · September 26th, 2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ory26

Royal Picardy Hostel, France, destroyed by bombardement during WWII

This is a tragedy.

the spliff fairy · September 26th, 2012, 10:34 PM

Imperial Hotel, London. Destroyed by greed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pub Lunch

Ok - how about this one lads.

I know absolutely nothing about this building apart from the fact that it needs absolutely no words to describe it and there are simply no words to explain how this one could have been pulled. I still can't believe this was demolished in the 60's - and I wasn't even born then!

This is the masterpiece that was the Imperial Hotel in Russell Square

Look at the detail!

This building was the centrepiece of Southampton row, a street that quite possibly was the grandest in London, atleast that is how it appears from what I have seen.

Here it is now...............

Yes - we really did do it!

I can only imagine how immense this area looked - just to the right (or left if looking at it) of the Imperial Hotel stands the very beautiful and still standing Hotel Russell. To have seen this and the original Imperial building virtually next to each other must have been something else. Does anyone have any good, colour pictures of this scene (I know the hotel Russell can be seen in the two Southampton Row snaps but they don't show the grandeur of both in one picture).

Anyway - only in London!!

This one really does hurt.

TimothyR · September 27th, 2012, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatOneGuy

Königsberg Castle in Kaliningrad... One of the most beautiful castles ever built. It was destroyed in WWII...

Yes, I agree.

I would add the entire city of pre-war Königsberg, but I know this thread is only for individual buildings.

TimothyR · September 27th, 2012, 03:47 AM

The beautiful old gem of midtown Manhattan - the original Penn Station:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...x-NYP_LOC4.jpg

Here is the elegant waiting room. Isn't it beautiful?

Exactly right for the great metropolis of New York:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_Station1.jpg

Here is the classic concourse.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...x-NYP_LOC5.jpg

Here is a wide view:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_Station3.jpg

This maginificent building was in every way the equal of its brother train terminal, the more famous and equally beautiful Grand Central, across town.

My parents and grandparents grew up with and often talked about its beauty.

Then it was destroyed in 1963.

Why? To make room for Madison Square Garden and some hideous office towers.

Here is the new entrance to the ugly new Penn Station:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_entrance.jpg

Why would anyone do such a thing to a beautiful building that was an important part of New York? And anyone who knows NYC is well aware that the area between seventh and eight avenues is now one of the ugliest areas of the city.

I am ashamed that the city I was born in would do such a thing to one of its own treasures that everyone could enjoy.

Very sad. I would love to see the old Penn Station brought back.

April 16th, 2012, 10:38 PM	#1
WalPaulista BANNED Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: São Paulo Posts: 499 Likes (Received): 0	Would you like a lost gem to be rebuilt? When I saw the pictures on the renaissance of traditional architecture in the US, I decided to share one of the many lost beautiful buildings that the city of São Paulo lost "for the sake of progress", and would like to know what you think about the possibility of rebuilding lost gems. Contrary people will usually say that what is lost is lost, and that a new one wil never be the same, for one thing the original materials are gone. But, if we can´t have that very same building, why not have at least the beauty and the charm on the very same site? All in all, at least in São Paulo, few are the ones that were replaced with anything better. Also, who would agree with building the old façades on newer buildings that have no architectural value, in cases when old buildings were replaced with cold, square glass/concrete boxes? I´ll start by sharing Palacete Santa Helena:

August 3rd, 2012, 10:12 PM	#11
WalPaulista BANNED Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: São Paulo Posts: 499 Likes (Received): 0	Gistok Has this really been put down?

August 4th, 2012, 06:52 PM	#12
OakRidge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 312 Likes (Received): 24	The destruction of Cluny is one of many reasons why the French Revolution was altogether terrible. __________________ "I had my back to the light and my face was turned towards the things which it illumined, so that my eyes, by which I saw the things which stood in the light, were themselves in darkness." - Confessions (Book IV), Augustine of Hippo "Laws are made for these reasons: that human wickedness may be restrained through fear of their execution; that the lives of innocent men may be safe among criminals; and that the temptation to commit wrong may be restrained by the fear of punishment." - The Visigothic Code (Book I, Title II, Part V)

August 4th, 2012, 08:04 PM	#14
ory26 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Montélimar Posts: 370	Royal Picardy Hostel, France, destroyed by bombardement during WWII __________________ Soyez réaliste: demandez l'impossible Last edited by ory26; August 4th, 2012 at 08:45 PM.

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April 30th, 2012, 04:00 PM	#3
anomalia9 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: City of Money Posts: 21 Likes (Received): 0	It would be nice if Japanes pre-WWII architecture would be restored. Any pre-WWII restored would be nice. Everything built since is heartless, cold, without beauty. It has no place in this world.

April 30th, 2012, 06:42 PM	#4
WalPaulista BANNED Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: São Paulo Posts: 499 Likes (Received): 0	I believe that most of modern architecture is a reflection of a cold, extremely functional mind that humans have acquired during the 20th century. As to Japan, I agree completely. Tokyo is, in general, all but beautiful.

July 19th, 2012, 05:40 PM	#5
Art Victim Bon Vivant Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Biarritz Posts: 6 Likes (Received): 3	Bethlehemskirche, the church built for the 18th century bohemian inmigrants in the Mitte District, BERLIN and destroyed by bombing in 1943 This is an art work by the Spanish artist Juan Garaizabal that recovers its magnificent story/volume at the original place/size I find it completely revolutionary. This is how it looks by nightby night: Bravo!

July 19th, 2012, 06:49 PM	#6
WalPaulista BANNED Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: São Paulo Posts: 499 Likes (Received): 0	I would like to see the sculpture (although good looking) replaced by a reconstruction of the original...

July 30th, 2012, 08:45 PM	#7
Gistok The LEGO Guy Join Date: May 2012 Location: Detroit Posts: 150 Likes (Received): 6	They did something similar (but without the sculptural beauty) to Benjamin Franklin's house in Philadelphia.... butt ugly.... http://www.nps.gov/inde/franklin-court.htm

July 30th, 2012, 08:47 PM	#8
Gistok The LEGO Guy Join Date: May 2012 Location: Detroit Posts: 150 Likes (Received): 6	The one gem I would like to see rebuilt (hardly likely) is the Abbey Church at Cluny.... $$$$$

August 2nd, 2012, 04:16 PM	#9
ThatOneGuy Dubstep Producer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Constanța Posts: 7,382 Likes (Received): 1320	Morrison Hotel, Chicago

August 3rd, 2012, 10:10 PM	#10
WalPaulista BANNED Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: São Paulo Posts: 499 Likes (Received): 0	My goodness, how could anyone have put this down?????

August 4th, 2012, 07:45 PM	#13
Gistok The LEGO Guy Join Date: May 2012 Location: Detroit Posts: 150 Likes (Received): 6	While Napoleon was off conquering Europe, the former monastery at Cluny, largest in Christendom, was being wantonly demolished in 1810. Some businessmen bought it outright, and started the demolition (for reuse as building material). When the people from the village began to realize what was going on, and were protesting to higher authorities, the new owners took more drastic (and quicker) measures, and started blowing up parts of the church with gunpowder in order to speed up the process. By the time they were finally stopped only 1 transept (and its' tower) were left standing, and can still be seen today. What really makes this entire matter even more depressing is the fact that for up to 50 years later... boys living in the area around Cluny were making paper airplanes from the scattered illuminated manuscript parchment of the Cluny library!!

September 26th, 2012, 04:44 AM	#15
Ocean Railroader The Railroad Anomily Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 155 Likes (Received): 2	One of the things I thought would be interesting would be to take spots in my home city where they plan to tear down 1870's houses which have really cool looking old rooms in them and use some type of lifting system to lift them on top of the new office or condo building when they build the new building in the same spot. In that I like the idea of them putting in new more denser buildings but at the same time I don't want to see the old houses get torn down. I would love to see the former Richmond James River Canal system get rebuilt.

September 26th, 2012, 04:56 AM	#16
ThatOneGuy Dubstep Producer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Constanța Posts: 7,382 Likes (Received): 1320	Königsberg Castle in Kaliningrad... One of the most beautiful castles ever built. It was destroyed in WWII. In the Soviet times, it was replaced by this hideous hunk. To make it worse, this new building was never used or finished. Ever. It is a worthless concrete lump that needs to be demolished for a replica of Königsberg Castle.

September 27th, 2012, 03:47 AM	#20
TimothyR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Born in NYC, Living in Boston Posts: 535 Likes (Received): 205	The beautiful old gem of midtown Manhattan - the original Penn Station: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...x-NYP_LOC4.jpg Here is the elegant waiting room. Isn't it beautiful? Exactly right for the great metropolis of New York: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_Station1.jpg Here is the classic concourse. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...x-NYP_LOC5.jpg Here is a wide view: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_Station3.jpg This maginificent building was in every way the equal of its brother train terminal, the more famous and equally beautiful Grand Central, across town. My parents and grandparents grew up with and often talked about its beauty. Then it was destroyed in 1963. Why? To make room for Madison Square Garden and some hideous office towers. Here is the new entrance to the ugly new Penn Station: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_entrance.jpg Why would anyone do such a thing to a beautiful building that was an important part of New York? And anyone who knows NYC is well aware that the area between seventh and eight avenues is now one of the ugliest areas of the city. I am ashamed that the city I was born in would do such a thing to one of its own treasures that everyone could enjoy. Very sad. I would love to see the old Penn Station brought back.