Newsom pushes for architectural excellence
From today’s Examiner, “Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to change The City’s reputation for rejecting challenging designs in favor of safe, uninspiring buildings. After touring cities such as Shanghai — where a building boom is turning out massive and sometimes innovative buildings — Newsom said he became convinced San Francisco as a “world-class city” should not settle for “dumbed-down design.”“
“With thousands of new housing units planned downtown and in the eastern neighborhoods, the quality of architecture in the next decade will have a lasting impact on The City’s skyline.”
“Planning Department Director Dean Macris said the issue is a priority for his staff. Two planners are already working on raising architectural quality, he said. “We’re taking this very seriously,” he added.”
“As part of the education process, John Schlesinger, a local architect, showed the commission imaginative local buildings challenging the architectural status quo. He said often residents or commissioners criticize a design for not fitting into a neighborhood. He said a building can look very different from neighboring structures, but “the originality can benefit the neighborhood.” Schlesinger cautioned that The City’s lengthy and expensive development process encourages mediocre design. He said developers and architects hesitate proposing an innovative design, knowing that risky architecture may meet resistance and further stall the process.”
“Robert McCarthy, a local real estate attorney, said he supports Newsom’s goal to have better architecture and agrees The City has often settled for “uninspiring” designs. But McCarthy said The City needs to realize that better designs mean higher costs. He said The City should not expect developers to continue to pay high fees and provide affordable housing required by law while also elevating the bar for aesthetics.”
