Robert Cambell, Architecture Reviews

Robert Campbell, Boston globe's architecture critic, shares his opinions of the Barker library at Harvard University which was recently redone by architect Robert Stern. This building was first designed in 1927 by the famous firm of McKim, Mead and White. The style is Georgian Revival which imitates British architecture. The front stands a big porch and row of six enormous columns. The backside was designed by the Mckim firm and was architecturally very different from the front of the building. Campbell described it as a "dull box of brown stucco". The redesign by Stern was a vast improvement in the eyes of Campbell. He is impressed with the outside structure and describes it as an "a stage set for student life, a set that instantly evokes brand image." Campbell is disappointed however with the interior of the library stating that it "lacks informality and intimacy". Although Campbell "doesn't have a problem with Bakers style", he also states that it is a Ð''totally inauthentic imitation of the architecture of Georgian times".

J.A Labbia wrote in "The Village Voice" about "Deciphering the City's Hidden Code" an exhibit about building codes. He discusses architect and critic Michael Sorkin and how he is involved with the importance of government codes versus commercial coding that influence the shape of things. "Architects are probably more attentive" he states. While the show primarily discusses building codes it also goes more in depth to cover development proposals and statistics.

I enjoyed both of these articles. The first article by Robert Campbell was highly descriptive and helpful in imagining exactly what the structure would be like in real life. The second article by J.A Labbia describes more behind the scenes of architecture by discussing building codes that must be followed. I found both of these articles to be helpful in adding to my knowledge of architecture and would highly recommend them both to readers studying architecture.

Works Cited:

Campbell, Robert. "The Boston Globe." Harvard Library is back in business. 6 Nov. 2005