This article was well conceived, in my opinion, as it poses a question that lacks an answer, rather than pompously proposing the absolute solution to a problem. I'm not a contrarian, I'm more of an anarchist, and those who tend to believe they hold the answers are those I aim to defile. I believe that design is an iterative process, and that buildings pose opportunities for architects to test theories within the physical realm.
The authors' presentation of the approach, guidelines and goals allows for a discourse to emerge where designers can test ideas within the physical constructs of the urban realm, and didactically decide upon the direction of a particular period relative to the wants and demands of the populace.
This is 425 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C. A good friend of mine in the planning office was instrumental in the development of this buildings' facade, as it was thought that a continuous facade would be too overbearing, it was proposed that two distinct facades would be constructed in order to decrease the scale of the street wall. As it turns out, this individual in the planning office just happens to live directly across the street from this building, as has had the chance to critique her decision over many years. As it turns out, the decision is regrettable, as the final product appears disjointed, and does little to decrease the imposing nature of the facade.
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