Present: Jack Alvarez, Dan Aulenti, Charlene Band, Chris Bell, Chelsea Blanchard, Matthew Bronski, Christina Contis, Leslie Donovan, Marilyn Fenollosa, David Fixler, Rachel Gordon, Chris Hanlon, Kim Konrad, Ellen Lipsey, Arthur MacLeod, Bob Mathis, Henry Moss, Ivan Myjer, Wendy Nicholas, Chad Perry, Christina Prochilo, Brian Roche, Deane Rykerson, Susan Schur, Laurie Soave, Robert Thomas, Sara Wermiel, T. Luke Young 1. Built in Bhutan: Design and Development on the Roof of the World: T. Luke Young brought our senses alive after months of gritty local weather with a rapid survey of indigenous architecture in Bhutan and a glimpse into the growth, modernization, and touristic pressures that threaten the prevailing balance between mountain landscape, small villages, and traditional building practices. Two thousand miles of roads with a switchback every nine seconds. 40% of the population under 18 years old and the total set to double within 20 years. 500 year old zhongs as theocratic bastions and beautiful stone, stucco, and timber houses for extended families including other mammals. Electrified in 1964. First serious tourism in 1974. Sprawl monster lurking in the outskirts, ready to pounce. Luke was part of a planning team that introduced the idea of charrettes helped to form the framework for a planning and design approach that towns can test and elaborate on their own. One mayor seeks a machine to dispel fog. The King of Bhutan has required traditional dress for all citizens and traditional building styles (currently coping with modern schools, gas stations and outhouses). He hopes to lower the building code's height limit from five to three stories. His wives drive SUV's. In many ways, Bhutan's problems and responses seemed reminiscent of Santa Fe. Luke saddened the assembled Committee by announcing his imminent departure to Washington, DC. 2. Boston Landmarks Commission 25th Anniversary Event: Several Committee members had attended the BLC presentations, panel discussion, and lively reception at the Boston Public Library. With the iconoclastic fervor we have come to expect at the BSA, Susan Schur led a critical discussion that questioned the conventional assessment of the failure of Urban Renewal in Boston and cited examples of other cities where less convulsive interventions had not brought happier cities into being. Henry said he had hoped that the panelists would at least raise questions about the unintended or unanticipated social effects of historic preservation. David Fixler noted the positive aspects of Boston's transformation under Kevin White, compared, for example, to historic Savannah. Sara Wermiel also suggested that major intrusions such as the Big Dig also provide opportunities to solve long-outstanding problems. May we yet see an easy public transport link between North and South Stations. Ivan Myjer questioned whether Boston attends to the smaller preservation and urbanism challenges well and used the Granary Burying Ground as an example of a great historic resource that is in preservation purgatory. 3. Preservation Issue of Architecture Boston: Sara Wermiel's idea of an issue of Architecture Boston where the central content would address current issues within Historic Preservation had gained sufficient ground for Henry to request that people come to the next meeting (or e-mail him at hmoss@brunercott.com) with ideas for essay topics, interview ideas, panel discussion subjects, and technical notes. The person who suggests an idea would not necessarily have to write the essay, organize the panel, or perform the interview; but if it is a hot concept, someone will. 4. BSA Preservation Awards: The Committee suggested that Emerson College be considered for the BSA Preservation Award. 5. Brownstone Preservation: Susan Schur reminded us of the early registration cut-off date of February 15 for Technology and Conservation's March 31/April 1 conference in Providence. For masonry masters, Brownstone is the never-ending challenge. For novitiates, the lessons learned from Brownstone can inform many other exterior wall approaches. The list of speakers and their topics is impressive. (Call T & C at (617) 623-4488.) See you there. 6.[This Old House: After the meeting, a heated exchange developed at one end of the table about the misleading and sometimes destructive effect of the PBS program, This Old House, on the public's attitude towards alterations of historic structures. Henry immediately visualized his (anecdotally) favorite episode from 1987 when the program lashed a cable around a 200 year old carriage house and pulled it crashing to the ground. The question was, could we do anything to help the show promulgate a more informed approach or should we simply adjust to new Jacuzzis in place of baptismal fonts? Bring your stories and ideas to the March meeting.] 8: 00 a.m., Thursday, March 8, 2001 The Architects' Building, Fifth Floor 52 Broad Street, Boston Henry Moss, Matthew Bronski, and Sara Wermiel, Co-Chairs |