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Cyclorama Battle Continues

Follow the continuing battle to preserve Neutra's Cyclorama at the Mission66 website

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Historical Bibliography for Post WWII Resources

Check out the 2009 version of the Historical Bibliography of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism in the United States since World War II

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NTHP Most Endangered

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2009 Most Endangered List features two recent past resources. Read more.

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RFP Issued: Modern Ohio Survey

The Ohio SHPO has issued a RFP for upcoming Ohio Modern resource survey.

Frontpage Slideshow (version 2.0.0) - Copyright © 2006-2008 by JoomlaWorks
The Recent Past Preservation Network PDF Print E-mail

For those unfamiliar with the organization, RPPN ("rippen") is a valuable resource for building public education and awareness of often misunderstood and underappreciated resources - those of the Recent Past. We generally define the recent past as a moving window of approximately fifty years time. Specifically, we cover those buildings that are not considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places because the structures are less than fifty years old. These are the very buildings and landscapes that need the most protection.

Website registration is FREE, so please register and become an active part of the RPPN community! Full membership provides you with access to our Recent Past listserve, our monthly E-News, discounts at RPPN-sponsored events, and an invaluable connection to others who have the same interests and experience.  Read more about RPPN.

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01

Jul

2009

Maynard Parker, Architectural Photographer PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - Research & Resources
Written by Devin Colman   
The archive of noted architectural photographer Maynard L. Parker is now cataloged and accessible online through The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. The Maynard L. Parker collection, donated to The Huntington in 1996, consists of some 58,000 photographs, negatives, and other materials documenting the work of architects, interior designers, landscape architects, artists, builders, real estate developers, and clients associated with these fields.  Parker focused much of his attention on the modern home and garden in mid-20th-century America.

Parker (1901–1976) was a Los Angeles-based photographer whose work captured a postwar era of suburban middle class homes that celebrated an indoor-outdoor lifestyle and burgeoning consumer culture. From the late 1930s to the early 1970s, his images were featured in many of the nation’s top shelter magazines, including House BeautifulArchitectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, and Sunset. He traveled the country photographing the work of architects Frank Lloyd Wright, E. Fay Jones, Anshen and Allen, and A. Quincy Jones. His images feature the interior and furniture design of T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Paul T. Frankl, Paul László, and Samuel Marx and the landscape architecture of such noted practitioners as Arthur and Marie Berger.   

Visit the collection here: Maynard Parker Modern Photography
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25

May

2009

News 5/13/09 - 5/24/09 PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - General News
Written by Alan Higgins   
Endangered Resources

General News Stories

Upcoming Events

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13

May

2009

Third Church of Christ, Scientist Given Permission to Raze D.C. Church PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - Endangered Resources
Written by Alan Higgins   

This week, Washington, D.C.'s Director of the Office of Planning overruled last year's decision by the D.C. Historic Preservation Board to landmark the Third Church of Christ, Scientist at 16th & I Streets, NW, thereby preventing demolition. Director Harriet Tregoning sided with the church, saying that forcing the church to maintain the building is against the spirit of D.C.'s landmarking law. With the overruling, Tregoning cleared the way for the congregation to acquire a demolition permit once a building permit has been approved for a replacement structure.

Related story: D.C. OKs Demolition of Christ Church
Washington Business Journal (May 13, 2009)

Related story: D.C. Church Wins Fight to Raze Its "Ugly" Church
Pew Forum (May 13, 2009)

RPPN Windshield Survey:  Third Church of Christ, Scientist

photo source

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13

May

2009

Weekly News 5/05/09 - 5/12/09 PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - General News
Written by Alan Higgins   
Among this week's news...the Mayor of Portland has decided not to pursue a new baseball stadium on the site of the Memorial Coliseum. Work remains underway on the renovation of Gehry's Santa Monica Place and future renovations remain in sight for the Santa Monica Civic Center and UCLA's Pauley Stadium. In Florida, the Bacardi Headquarters buildings moved toward landmark status while the fate of the 1959 Royal Poinciana Playhouse in Palm Beach is still to be decided. Other highlights include continued discussion on the future of Reese Hospital, a Mies IIT building, and the Tokyo Museum.
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02

May

2009

RFP Issued: Ohio Modern Resource Survey PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - General News
Written by Alan Higgins   
The Ohio Historic Preservation Office has issued an RFP for an intensive resource survey associated with the Ohio Modern : Preserving Our Recent Past project. Please see below for a brief description and link to the full RFP:

"The Ohio Historic Preservation Office (OHPO) of the Ohio Historical Society seeks professional services to undertake a reconnaissance and intensive level survey that will identify and evaluate mid-20th century properties and neighborhoods in the City of Dayton and selected neighboring suburban communities and transportation corridors. The Ohio Historic Preservation Office was awarded a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service to carry out this survey project. Additional support and partners for the project include the Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Humanities Council, the City of Dayton and the University of Dayton. The Ohio Modern project will include preparing a statewide historic context document outlining the important social, political, and economic trends that shaped land use decisions, architectural styles, property types and building technology in Ohio from 1940-1970 for which a separate Request for Proposals will be distributed."

The full RFP can be found on our website at:
http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/rfp.html

Submission deadline is May 29, 2009. Questions can be directed to:
Barbara Powers [Project Manager]
Inventory and Registration
Ohio Historic Preservation Office
614-298-2000 or via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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28

Apr

2009

Weekly News 4/20/09 - 4/27/09 PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - General News
Written by Alan Higgins   
1. The National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites for 2009 have been listed.

The Miami Marine Stadium

Century Plaza Hotel
2. Debate continues to surround the Portland Memorial Coliseum. Upcoming meeting 4/29/09
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14

Apr

2009

Endangered! Portland's Memorial Coliseum PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - Endangered Resources
Written by Alan Higgins   
Memorial Coliseum
photo: Hoffman Construction Company

The Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena located in the Rose Quarter, an area of about 30 acres near the Willamette River on Portland's east side. Designed in 1960 by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrilll, the building was not only a technological feat of enginerring and operation unrivaled by any other large civic structure in the Pacfic Northwest, but it was also a fully-articulated example of International Style Modernism. With a new entertainment complex planned for the area, the fate of the Coliseum is still to be decided and architects and preservationists are vehemently continuing their fight against the city's plans to demolish the significant structure. For more information on the battle to save the Coliseum, please see the fact sheet provided by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and the stories below.

Related story: National Trust Expresses Support for Memorial Coliseum Preservation
Daily Journal of Commerce (April 13, 2009)

Related story: Memorial Coliseum Advocates Weigh Their Opinions
Oregon Live (April 13, 2009)

Related story: Architect Fighting to Preserve Memorial Coliseum
Katu (April 12, 2009)

Related story: Bloggers, Architects Rally Against Memorial Coliseum Demolition
Willamette Week (April 13, 2009)

Related story: Portland Mayor: Memorial Coliseum Must Go
Daily Journal of Commerce (April 9, 2009)

Related story: City of Portland Considers Tearing Down Memorial Coliseum
KGW-TV (April 14, 2009)

Related story: Architects Fight for Portland's Memorial Coliseum
KVTZ (April 12, 2009)

Related story: The Mayor's Public Meeting on the Rose Quarter
Willamette Week (April 10, 2009)

Related story: Architects Rally to Preserve Memorial Coliseum
Daily Journal of Commerce (April 10, 2009)

Related story: Mayor Backs Plan to Revamp Rose Quarter
Examiner.com (April 8, 2009)

Related story: On Deck: Memorial Coliseum Demolition
Entrepeneur.com (April 7, 2009)

Related story: City Wants to Raze Memorial Coliseum
Oregon Live (April 8, 2009)

Related story: Memorial Coliseum: Portland's Penn Station?
Oregon Live (April 8, 2009)

Related story: Soccer Decisions Coming Up Fast
Outlook (March 26, 2009)

Related story: Move Cautiously on Stadium Deal
Outlook (March 25, 2009)

Attachments:
FileDescription
Download this file (Memorial Coliseum_fact sheet_033109.doc)Memorial Coliseum Fact Sheet 
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11

Apr

2009

Future of Miami's Bacardi Buildings Still to be Decided PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - General News
Written by Alan Higgins   

The two headquarters buildings of Bacardi USA in Miami are up for historic landmark designation. One tower (not pictured) was designed in 1963 by Enrique Gutierrez and features  mosaicSpanish tiles. The second tower (pictured above) was built in 1973 by Ignacio Carrera-Justiz and features abstract glass murals. Bacardi will be relocating from the buildings later this year and has not determined what they will do with the buildings. The city of Miami met last week to discuss landmarking the buildings but tabled the decision to next month.

Link to full story: Miami's Preservation Board Delays Bacardi Vote
The Miami Herald (April 7, 2009)

Related story: Miami Weighs Preserving Iconic Bacardi Buildings
AP (April 6, 2009)

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23

Mar

2009

Future of London's Robin Hood Gardens Still Debated PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - Endangered Resources
Written by Alan Higgins   

Recent New York Times article details current debate over the future of Robin Hood Gardens, a Brutalist housing complex designed by Alison and Peter Smithson in East London.

 

Link to full story: Rethinking Postwar Design in London
The New York Times (March 18, 2009)

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23

Mar

2009

Welcome to Las Vegas Sign Close to being Listed PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - General News
Written by Alan Higgins   

1959 Welcome to Las Vegas sign moving closer to being listed on the National Register, having recently received unanimous approval from the Nevada SHPO.

Link to full story: Iconic Welcome to Las Vegas Sign Applies for National Register
Mesquite News (March 16, 2009)

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22

Mar

2009

Update on Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas, NV PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - Endangered Resources
Written by Alan Higgins   

The 1955 Moulin Rouge was the first integrated hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Recent negotiations have promised to remove the sign to the future site of the Neon Museum, but the structure, currently situated in a blighted area, still has an uncertain future.

Link to full story: Does Moulin Rouge have a place in 2009
Las Vegas Sun (March 12, 2009)

Related story: Beleaguered Moulin Rouge Lives to Fight Another Day
Las Vegas Sun (March 11, 2009)

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22

Mar

2009

Research Assistance: Modern Bank Study Underway PDF Print E-mail
RPPN News - Research & Resources
Written by Alan Higgins   
A study is currently underway on the work of the Bank Building & Equipment Corporation of America, a St. Louis based firm that worked throughout the 1940s and into the 1970s. Please see the attached information if you would like to contribute to the study.

Dear Friend of Modernism and Preservation:

I am working on research funded by the James Marston Fitch Foundation to document modernism and I need your help. The work of the Bank Building & Equipment Corporation of America designed hundreds of structures, mainly banks, across the country. From their headquarters in St. Louis, their lead designer, Wencislaus A. (W.A.) Sarmiento, and his partners worked with local architects to change the urban landscape in many cities between the late 1940s and late 1970s.
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