2 ms·
> Don't get me wrong it's a pleasure to practice in a gorgeous Federal Courthouse, complete with grand marble accents, but I'm of the opinion those types of lux
by skewart 10y ago
> Don't get me wrong it's a pleasure to practice in a gorgeous Federal Courthouse, complete with grand marble accents, but I'm of the opinion those types of luxuries are a waste of tax payer dollars.
I completely agree that elaborately ornamented and luxurious buildings are a waste of money. However, it sounds like the courthouse in the Bronx was not just plain and simple, but instead actually decrepit and hostile. You don't have to spend a lot of taxpayer money to have public buildings that are clean and pleasant. (Not that you would necessarily disagree, based on your comment, just adding my own couple of cents).
- zyxley 10y agoTo me, it sounded from the description like the place was built in the brutalist style and then (as seems to be inevitable for brutalist architecture) degenerated from "imposing" to "dank and oppressive" with lack of proper maintenance.
- skewart 10y agoI have to disagree with the idea that brutality buildings inevitably degenerate into dank and oppressive. Those qualities are almost always orthogonal to style. Usually they have to do with pretty much universally bad design moves, like limited natural light, confusing circulation, and cheap finishes. Of course, poor maintenance can make almost any building pretty dank before too long.