City Gives Blessing to Raze Church
Building designed by partner of architect I.M. Pei
By ASHA BEH
Updated 9:36 AM EST, Wed, Jul 29, 2009
While preservationists weep, members of the Third Church of Christ, Scientist, are rejoicing at their freedom from "the bunker."
Written off as an "unwelcoming and impractical" money pit, the 1970's-era concrete building is going down, after D.C. planning director Harriet Tregoning ruled Wednesday that church leaders should be allowed to replace it.
In what ways did the building fail? The case against the building never felt very, well, concrete, according to DCist, which argues that "high design sometimes means high upkeep."
Historic preservationists considered the church at 16th and Eye Streets, NW, a prized example of Brutalist architecture, a design form which includes the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover Building.
The landmark building was designed by Araldo Cossutta, who had worked in the firm of famed architect I.M. Pei, and completed in 1972.
First Published: May 17, 2009 2:37 PM EST
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