28 Responses to “2008 Golden Hammer nominees for renovation and infill”

1. posted by Whodat! at September 10, 2008 9:15 am [#]:
   

   Reserve Condominiums!?! That place was built (and looks) like a mexican space shuttle!!!

2. posted by eclk at September 10, 2008 11:26 am [#]:
   

   I have never seen a Mexican Space Shuttle, so I will have to take your word for it. However, I absolutely love the Reserve Condos! Kudos to all those involved!

3. posted by Lady 23 at September 10, 2008 11:40 am [#]:
   

   I agree with you Whodat. I could never figure out the purpose of those weird things jutting upwards in this design — it gives the place a bizarre Batwing type of effect.

   ‘POW! KABLAM! ZAATTT!’

4. posted by Bill Hartsock at September 10, 2008 1:03 pm [#]:
   

   I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one that feels that architecture is hideous and incompatible with the adjacent buildings.

5. posted by Eric S. Huffstutler at September 10, 2008 1:23 pm [#]:
   

   I mentioned this WFT designed building in another thread… Just what were they thinking? It doesn’t fit with any design near or around the area. A Frankenstein if you ask me.

   Eric

6. posted by jc at September 10, 2008 3:20 pm [#]:
   

   ¡Viva el transbordador espacial mexicana!

7. posted by john_m at September 10, 2008 4:58 pm [#]:
   

   dang y’all, I really like that building. It seems like a neat, modern industrial multi-family residence. So few new buildings in this city aspire to much and are done on the cheap.

8. posted by cagteitate at September 10, 2008 5:55 pm [#]:
   

   I’m with John. I like the curved lines- keeps it from being too boxy.

9. posted by Juliellen at September 11, 2008 11:03 am [#]:
   

   I like the Reserve with one exception. The little decks on the backside are dark and crammed in a very narrow space. I would not use that deck if I lived there. I would like to see the inside sometime.

10. posted by Beth at September 11, 2008 11:05 am [#]:
    

    I’m with Bill. Hideous and incompatible.

11. posted by mj at September 11, 2008 11:18 am [#]:
    

    I agree with John who can think outside the same old box. Diversity through interesting architecture only improves on the interest in the area and the city.
    This is not 1860 any longer.

12. posted by eco_chick at September 11, 2008 1:01 pm [#]:
    

    i definitely agree with john…
    as someone who works in the field of architecture, i really respect the nods to the warehouse fabric surrounding the building, and the curving roof structures curve up as you go up the hill! i think it’s a great interpretation of the surrounding context with a hint of modernity

13. posted by Displaced in YPV at September 11, 2008 1:27 pm [#]:
    

    Hey WhoDat, I didn’t know that Mexicans had a space program unless you’re referring to the “space” they take up when they’re hiding behind the dashboard of a car crossing the border. Another thing, isn’t your porn name “Golden Hammer”???

14. posted by Shannon at September 11, 2008 2:07 pm [#]:
    

    Hey Displaced – Your comment about Mexicans is ignorant and offensive. And it takes a whole heck of a lot to offend me.

    Guess what! There is a whole big country to the South of us, and lots of what they are about has absolutely nothing to do with the news blips that folks like you swallow whole from Bill O’Reilly and crew. Try visiting sometime, and you just might meet some very lovely and hospitable people.

    ps – It’s never too late to stop being an American embarrassment.

15. posted by Displaced in YPV at September 11, 2008 2:36 pm [#]:
    

    Well Thank You Shannon for enlightening me with that georgraphy lesson. I guess now you’re going to try and convince me that the world isn’t flat…pffff. The fact that you are “enlightened” obviously indicates to me that you are a Democrat (which in certain circles is worse than being called a Mexican)!

    (I’ve removed the last sentence of this comment. – John)

16. posted by Shannon at September 11, 2008 2:53 pm [#]:
    

    :) You are welcome. And your response is no shock.

    My political affiliation is of no relevence, except that your statement insinuates that you are a Republican, and that Republicans believe that blatant racism is cool. I suspect some Republicans in this, and other, community would have an issue with you making that implication.

    If you knew me, you would know that I am anything but politically correct. However, summing up an entire ethnicity the way that you did is as racist as it gets. And it wasn’t even the slightest bit funny, but laced with nastiness. I couldn’t let someone drop the N word in casual convo and not say how ridiculous that is, and felt I needed to say something here.

    I find it amazing that folks such as yourself actually try to justify slurs as if they are just fine. (And telling me to suck your balls isn’t really doing much for making your case, buddy.)

    Just one individual’s opinion. Good luck with everything.

    Over and out.

17. posted by Steven at September 11, 2008 3:38 pm [#]:
    

    mj

    We don’t want to get into yet ANOTHER what is right and what is wrong concerning construction in Church Hill. No, it isn’t 1860 but many communities have lost their 1860s or earlier structures due to shortsighted people that can’t appreciate the past. That is why we have groups and organizations as well as government protected buildings and communities – which includes ours.

    The building is out of place and Church Hill has no reason for modernistic structures ripping the historic fabric of what is supposed to be a protected community. It would be fine in other areas of the city but just doesn’t fit in East of 21st Street.

    Every day when I drive by these pre-fab buildings I sigh because stone masons and their craft has all but disappeared leaving facades bland and without character so yes, the building would have looked plain and boxy yet could have been dressed up with artistic brickwork or stone carvings. Personally I despise the “industrial” look in a residential area and hate the exposed skeleton interiors of these warehouse condos – not very formal.

18. posted by Whodat! at September 11, 2008 4:32 pm [#]:
    

    Woo Hoo! I am buying Steven a beer! My issues with the Child Savers building and the reserve building is they are built from materials that do not age at the same rate as our existing building stock. The shiny mini-bilbao arced roofs
    will look like crud (mierda) in a few years. (Be sure to look at the quonset hut on willyburg road)I am sure the post office on 25th street was “fresh and new” and provided diversity through interesting architecture back in the day.It’s just ugly now.The child savers building is stained by rainwater on copper flashing.
    (Look at the picture peeps!) Moral: Think long term

19. posted by Lora at September 12, 2008 8:28 am [#]:
    

    A common criticism of 20th Century architecture is that it hasn’t held up well–look at a lot of the houses Frank Lloyd Wright designed. The WRVA/Child Savers building, hoever, despite some oxidation stains, appears to be a solid building. It seems to me that Philip Johnson, the architect, WAS thinking long term when he designed the building. Regardless of how far-thinking they were (or weren’t) though, architects like Wright and Johnson were experimenting with new materials and forms–which paved the way for other architects to test new ideas. And as far as I can tell, not all the architects and builders who put up houses in Church Hill in the 19th Century were thinking long term.

20. posted by Steven at September 12, 2008 9:13 am [#]:
    

    Lora,

    True and can see your point. But the WRVA building was placed on the fringe of the community though and so sits pretty much on its own. Build it in the middle of the 400 block of lets say, 24th Street and see what kind of reaction you would get!

    19th century architects were playing things safe even when trends changed and did not dot the neighborhoods with multiple styles. Between 1880 and 1910 you will see most houses built then were of the order – Italianate Victorian and for the most part “new” mass construction in Church Hill stopped around then too so… we should keep what we have preserved meaning nothing design wise newer than what would have been built 1910 or earlier. It is a matter of “preservation” of a small community – people “chose” to move to and not an entire city so can’t figure out why they balk when told what is right or wrong? Owners/renters should have known what they bought/moved into when they did so along with the commitments.

21. posted by Lora at September 12, 2008 5:33 pm [#]:
    

    I think you’re right about what would have happened if the WRVA/Child Savers building had been built in the middle of the 400 block of N. 24th, Steven, but I completely disagree with you about making new construction in the neighborhood look as if it’s almost 100 years old. It’s entirely possible to preserve a historic neighborhood without making it a static district full of historic reproductions.

    I choose to live in a 100+-year-old house, and I am very happy to adhere to the restrictive covenants the Historic Richmond Foundaton placed on the deed years ago. I’m also very happy to receive the benefits of the Va. DHR’s historic tax credit program. Both of these required my husband and me to pay close attention to the historic fabric of our house, interior and exterior, when we rehabbed it.

    I think it’s extremely important to save the buildings that give a neighborhood its historic character. I think it’s also extremely important to make sure that new construction in a historic neighborhood is similar in scale, massing and setback to its neighbors.

    But I don’t think new construction should be a slavish reproduction of what’s already there. Just as architectural styles and tastes changed from 1850 to 1910, they continue to change today. We have new materials to use, new styles of architectural ornamentation, new building techniques, etc. A building can refer to and complement its neighbors without being made to look as if it were designed and built 100 years ago.

22. posted by Michael at September 14, 2008 11:57 pm [#]:
    

    Ok I’m a bit biased cause’ I’m the new owner of 806 N. 27th, but if you pull up the address on Google street-view and see the condition this place was in last year I think you’ll agree Elderhomes did an amazing job. I moved into a rental on the hill two years ago after being a long time resident of the Westover Hills community. I have been following CHPN since then. One of the things I love about the hill is the way everyone is so passionate about this neighborhood and it’s charm. Thus, I found a way to own a home here, and have convinced a good friend to purchase the house beside me. I think everyone would agree if they took a look at my house as well as the two newly built ones beside me that Elderhomes is an asset to this community. Yes, the newly built ones will be historic reproductions, but isn’t that the way to bring much needed interest and good families to the hill who might not be able fiscally, as well as have the skill set to rehab an existing home?

23. posted by Jessica Jordan at September 22, 2008 11:37 am [#]:
    

    I am not sure what the source of this info is, but it is slightly wrong about the Elmira Shelton house. While it is true that Josh Cooley did most of the amazing carpentry on that house, he is not a contractor. In fact, he is the brother of David Cooley, and employed as the lead carpenter by David’s company, RBVa. So you can list him as THE capenter, but not the contractor.
    Thanks.

24. posted by Jessica Jordan at September 22, 2008 11:53 am [#]:
    

    Okay this info is straight off the ACORN website. I sent them an e-mail, but it is probably too late to correct the Awards programs. So congratulations, Josh!

25. posted by Ramzi at September 22, 2008 3:29 pm [#]:
    

    So how is it that the CAR didn’t have a fit with the roof, etc at the Reserve Condos? Can anyone explain the reasoning why that structure passes historic review when it is blatantly out of context with its neighbors? I’m not complaining, just curious.

26. posted by Church Hill People’s News » ACORN honors renovation, new construction - Richmond, Virginia at October 7, 2008 9:24 pm [#]:
    

    [...] held the 9th Annual Golden Hammer Awards Ceremony tonight at Seven Hills School in Northside. In addition to recognizing the previously announced [...]

27. posted by River District News » ACORN honors renovation, new construction - Richmond, Virginia at October 7, 2008 9:33 pm [#]:
    

    [...] held the 9th Annual Golden Hammer Awards Ceremony tonight at Seven Hills School in Northside. In addition to recognizing the previously announced [...]

28. posted by A Young Architecture Student at March 12, 2009 1:16 am [#]:
    

    I must say that as a young student of architecture, and as a young intern, I think the city of Richmond if not the state as a whole needs to be aware as to what Modern Architecture has to offer. By “modern architecture” I do not mean buildings built in the last 30 years, I mean buildings which are not simply the product of ‘copying and pasting’ the early American Colonial Style (which is a cheap immitation of numerous other styles), but a building which is an architectural exploration, be it of light, form, space, etc. Also, one should not pass judgement on any of the above photographs unless they have experienced the building, the space, the light,etc. For instance, I hold my judgement on F. Gehry’s works because I have never experienced any of them. Well, enough of my rambling, hope you all dont take this as me ‘preaching’, just attempting to put a few things in perspective for the typical conservative Richmond-born lay-person.

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