A good article in Metropolis:
Indigenous Design
Architecture in the twenty-first century can be intensely local—but only if we stop, look, and understand site and regional conditions.
By Susan S. Szenasy
Posted March 19, 2008
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2 comments:
This comment is for anyone trying to save the "historical" Riverview High School.
I say this with respect, and I do hope you take my anonymous words seriously.
I am currently a student at Riverview High School.
I do not know extensive amounts of information on the history of the old RHS buildings, nor much about the famous archetect that designed them. I understand why one would want to preserve a historical building; I love history. Buildings such as the gothic Sarasota High School capture my heart, and I greatly appreciate their worth. I do believe a structure such as that is one worth saving.
However, Riverview is not the building that should be preserved. It is an impractical campus that only serves as an eyesore to all that drive past it or walk through its halls.
As a student, I see it every day. I've had classes in some of the "historical" classrooms. One of them was origionally designed with floor-to-ceiling windows that would open and let the fresh air in and up to elevated windows on the opposite wall, for a natural air-conditioning of sorts. What a wonderful idea.
However, teachers quickly found that the air would have hazardous effects during classes; papers flying everywhere, creating distractions, noises from the hall on the other side of the elevated windows dirupting class, all among other problems.
Now the massive windows are sealed shut with grime and dirt. They are almost impossible to open - not that you'd want to open the giants. The elevated windows on the opposing wall have long been locked shut and spray-painted over. Now the building is infested with rats and bugs. The floors are covered with irremovable grime.
These are minimal problems, all of which could be fixed. But why fix them? I have seen beautiful works of art and archetecture - I greatly appreciate them. However, this is not one of them! The time and energy spent by those who want to save these dilapidated buildings is being wasted on a piece of work that isn't worth it.
Also: I haven't seen anyone asking the students' opinions about "saving" the school, or the teachers. Does no one care about them? WE all want a new school to work and learn in. But how can we have a new school when needed space is being used by an old building? Where, pray tell, will the practice feilds be built, if the parking lot cannot me moved to the site where our old school is? Will teams have to practice their sports elsewhere? And what will happen to the old school if it remains where it is? We certainly don't want to use it - we want (and need) a new auditorium - one that has enough seating for students to sit in; a new gymnasium for kids to exersize in; a new cafeteria - preferably one that isn't riddled with haphazard coloumns placed randomly along its floor to hold up the too-low ceiling...
I speak harshly - but please take me seriously, for I am nothing but the epitome of soberness. I only want those who are fighting for what they think is a good cause to realize the pains it is causing those it affects the most: the teachers and students that inhabit it from 7:30 to 2:15, five days a week, most weeks out of the year.
It is a second home for us. Please - let it be a pleasent one.
Thank you very much for reading. I do hope my words have reached your heart, for they come from the deepest spaces of mine.
The Riverview campus is not large enough to support the Rudolph buildings if they are not to be used by the school.
Saving the Rudolph buildings will force the school board to eliminate athletic fields, band practice fields, and/or parking.
If the campus had enough land to support the Rudolph buildings and
still provided the above amenities
then perhaps the buildings could be saved. Unfortunately Riverview does not have land available to support saving the buildings.
Riverview's first priority must be the current and future students.
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