Category Archives: Restoration and Conservation

On Recent Proposals for Rebuilding the Roof and Spire of Notre Dame

Posted on May 12, 2019 by

Within a month of the destruction by fire of the roof and flèche (crossing spire) of Notre Dame in Paris, proposals by architects for their replacement abound. Why are these designs so awful? The answer is simple: they lack respect. … Continue reading →

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Onion Domes and the Spire of the Dresden Hofkirche (1738-51), with asides on the Frauenkirche

Posted on April 27, 2018 by

Onion domes are seen here as being extravagantly exotic. They are certainly un-English and un-Australian. While ogee curves are common enough here in neo-Elizabethan buildings and Victorian bandstands, I cannot think of an example of an ‘onion’ dome. But first … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Architecture, Art, Baroque architecture, Baroque Gardens, Design, Fabriques, Restoration and Conservation, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Bridge on the River Kwai

Posted on March 27, 2016 by

I was reading an article about the 1974 V&A exhibition about the Destruction of the Country House. It cited a Guardian review of the time, to the effect that why should we care that the houses of wealthy (or once … Continue reading →

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The Restoration of Chartres Cathedral

Posted on March 19, 2016 by

Looking back at the controversy over the restoration of Chartres cathedral, and a look at some commentary available on-line: an article in the Spectator in 2012 by Alasdair Palmer (http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts/arts-feature/7836868/restoration-tragedy/), a blog by Martin Filler in the New York Review … Continue reading →

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