Docomomo US Response to Draft Executive Order

Docomomo US became aware in the last few weeks of a draft executive order that is circulating for consideration by the White House officials that would designate “classical” architecture as the preferred style for federal buildings. This significantly alters the long-standing Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture written in 1962 by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, which states that Federal architecture and new buildings should place major emphasis “on the choice of designs that embody the finest contemporary American architectural thought.” The policy continues to explicitly state, “The development of an official style must be avoided. Design must flow from the architectural profession…

Campaign: Tony Garnier – Against erasing the work, for the coherence of action

Docomomo France has shared with Docomomo International the campaign: Tony Garnier: Against erasing the work, for the coherence of action This campaign intends to raise awareness among professionals in the area to recognize and protect the work of the architect Tony Garnier (1869-1948), in Lyon, France. The importance of the architect’s graphic, architectural and urban work is considerable, but still rather unknown in Lyon, his birth place. Today, beyond the recognition of his work as the celebrations around the 150th anniversary of his birth are sure to to improve, the urgency is also to ensure the sustainability and the future…

Oslo’s Y-block

After starting a compaign in 2015, Docomomo International asks for your attention and consideration regarding the threat the Y-block in Oslo, Norway, is facing. The building was designed by Erling Viksjø, with contributions by Carl Nesjar and Pablo Picasso, to complement the monumental high-rise H-block, also by Viksjø. Both buildings are part of the government quarter of Oslo. The Directorate for Cultural Heritage proposed in June 2011 to list both buildings as protected monuments. That process was brought to a halt on 22 July, when the building was whitness to a terrorist attack. Highlithing the special features of the building, in the petition can be…

Sign the Petition: Maison du Peuple of Clichy

Last year docomomo International has raised awarness about the endangered status of Maison de Peuple in Clichy, France, which is threatened by the planned construction of a 96 meter tower in the back of the building. The Association Quartier Maison du Peuple has started a petition addressed to the French Minister of Culture, Mr. Franck Riester, opposing the project and calling for the preservation of this exceptional building through a reuse program that will respect its original characteristics. The petition can be signed here. “Let’s invent the massacre! The Maison du Peuple of Clichy (1935-1939), Eugène Beaudoin and Marcel Lods architects (with the participation of…

Selby Public Library

The original Selby Public Library, a.k.a. G.WIZ building is under threat of imminent demolition. We are asking the City of Sarasota and the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) for an appropriate evaluation of this architecturally significant building to determine if repurposing it is in the best interest of the citizens of Sarasota. The original Selby Public Library was designed by master architect Walter Netsch in 1976. Mr. Netsch was a principal star of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, whose body of work has achieved great international acclaim. Sarasota should be proud to have such an exceptional example of his work….

Foco – Santo António Office Block

Docomomo International wishes to express its full support for the efforts that are being carried out in order to preserve FOCO, the Residencial Park of Boavista unity, believing that this complex must be preserved taking into consideration its history and the will to maintain its integrity and authenticity for future generations. The Boavista Residential Park (by Agostinho Ricca, João Serôdio and Magalhães Carneiro, Residencial Park of Boavista, Porto, Portugal, 1964), most known as FOCO, was conceived as a housing unit, following other similar European experiences. It is one of the most exemplar housing complexes in Portugal, organized around a large central landscaped space, marked by the different complementary…

Municipal Swimming Pool in Ostend

The petition launched by the association Archipel, pleading for a respectful renovation and reuse of the building, is still receiving signatures. Please sign here and spread the word to help raise awareness on this case. The Municipal Swimming Pool in Ostend (1976), designed by the architects Paul Felix and Jan Tanghe, currently faces the threat of demolition. The complex is a remarkable example of brutalist architecture, especially rare in Flanders, featuring a monumental concrete structure in the swimming hall. As a significant architectural legacy of the 1970s that is part of the urban identity of Ostend, the building must definitely be preserved for future generations. Petition: sign here More…

Robin Hood Gardens

The Robin Hood Gardens (Poplar, London), a post-war housing complex, designed by Alison and Peter Smithson and dating back to 1972, is facing an eminent complete destruction. Being one of the most important social post-war housing projects of Britain, it will be a great loss to erase an outstanding example of architectural quality with great historic interest. It is urgent to act before the complete demolition of this project. For this reason, docomomo International would like to encourage everyone to join the efforts of docomomo UK and worlwide experts in the struggle of preserving this invaluable housing complex. Ana Tostões, Chair of docomomo International, addressed…