A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Boston City Hall and a History of Reception
This article examines the reception of Boston City Hall, an iconic and widely debated public building of the 1960s. In general, the building was well received among architects, garnering many awards at the time of its construction. Meanwhile, the building was poorly received by the general public for a variety of reasons. Deploying the critical insights of reception theory, the article demonstrates that differing interpretations of the building depend on the identities and contexts of different audiences. As similar buildings come up for heritage designation and renewal in the coming years, a clearer understanding of the original debates can help architects today in arguing for their importance—and perhaps in avoiding some of the same pitfalls in the reception of newly designed buildings.
Boston City Hall and a History of Reception
This article examines the reception of Boston City Hall, an iconic and widely debated public building of the 1960s. In general, the building was well received among architects, garnering many awards at the time of its construction. Meanwhile, the building was poorly received by the general public for a variety of reasons. Deploying the critical insights of reception theory, the article demonstrates that differing interpretations of the building depend on the identities and contexts of different audiences. As similar buildings come up for heritage designation and renewal in the coming years, a clearer understanding of the original debates can help architects today in arguing for their importance—and perhaps in avoiding some of the same pitfalls in the reception of newly designed buildings.
Boston City Hall and a History of Reception
Monteyne, David (author)
Journal of Architectural Education ; 65 ; 45-62
2011-10-01
18 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
Boston City Hall and a History of Reception
| Online Contents | 2011
Boston City Hall and a History of Reception
| British Library Online Contents | 2011