This month, we are discussing ugly despised *interesting* buildings. We all have something we love even though everyone else hates it. For Rae, that love is for Split Levels. For Andi, it’s Brutalism. You’ll learn about the origins of these buildings and we’ll discuss their pros and cons. In this episode we will try to convince you that we are not crazy, and maybe even convert you. So, are you #teamsplitlevel, #teambrutalism, or perhaps #teamyouarebothcrazy? Let us know!
References:
Atlas of Brutalist Architecture
Photos of some of the discussed buildings: Habitat 67, Pirelli Building, ATT Longline Building, Boston City Hall, Salk Institute, Fort Worth Water Gardens
What a lively and informative episode! Thanks for sharing your passion and insights. Can I be on both Team Split Level AND Team Brutalism? You both made very convincing arguments — esp about the disjunction between outside form/style and inside usage. I suppose you shouldn’t judge a building by its facade.
#teamsplitlevels !
Positives:
– Split level entries are great “mudrooms.”
– split level entries are great for stopping uninvited guests where they are at.
– split level entries are also great for not allowing nosey neighbors see if your house is a mess.
– basements in split level houses were the best part of my youth and pretty much where all parents stuck kids with their friends.
– Fortunately, I grew up not so isolated in my suburban area. My area was full of kids. Split levels were all the rage in suburban Maryland.
Negatives:
– As mentioned the stairs are a huge negative. If they could make split levels that were more accessible they could totally be all the rage again. But I guess that’s why we have Ranch homes! As Andi has mentioned (in class) most of us will end up in Ranch homes.
– Depending on the split level ( and I lived in two) the bathrooms can be oddly placed. My first one had 3 bathrooms so 1 on each floor. The second house had two bathrooms. One on the top floor where the bedrooms were and the basement. Not so great when you have guests over.
I loved hearing what you two “disagreed” upon.
It’s fun as an alumni because I could never imagine the professors’ disagreeing on anything in regard to preservation. Thank you two for that! I know that this podcast mostly focuses on architecture but I hope a future topic could be cemeteries as they are part of the built environment and people have mixed feelings on them. However, I know you two mentioned that there are a year’s worth of topics planned out so perhaps in the way future.
So glad you’re enjoying it! Sorry for the late response: we are middle aged ladies and apparently emails get lost in spam without our knowledge.
On the split level front: yes, bathrooms can be weird and stairs aren’t accessible. But Rae still loveeeees them.
And yes, Andi will geek out on cemeteries in October. (spooooooky)
Thanks for listening!!