Our nation’s insatiable appetite for keeping up with fashion and embracing the next new trend has long taken an extensive toll on the integrity of its historic buildings. The 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s were witness to countless building facade makeovers for the sake of modernization. The least harmful of these “updates” were superficial and cosmetic metal screens which could later be removed; other updates were far less forgiving and more permanent in nature. One of the more popular methods of “updating” a building facade at that time was to bury it in a coat of stucco.
Requiring that metal lath be nailed to the masonry, the stucco application process often did permanent damage to the brick or stone beneath. Additionally, it was common for projecting elements to be whittled down or entirely removed in order to simplify the lines of a structure – while simultaneously paving the way for an easier application of the stucco. The brick structure seen here, a Masonic temple building, received such a transformation some time in the middle of the last century. The original facade was happily eclectic while the “new” facade sought to erase historic references.
The transformational “facelift” took place decades ago, and today itself looks tired and dated. Had the money spent then to modernize the building been used to instead maintain or restore the facade, the building would no doubt be a greater source of pride today. Take a look at the image below from the early 20th century and then scroll down to see what the same building looks like today:
Corner “towers” add stature and visual interest while framing arcaded windows reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance. Scroll down……………
The “towers” were removed and the roofline flattened. The beautiful arcaded windows were covered by stucco in a manner which suggests a Brutalist vibe.
The side of the building is even more bleak. Image courtesy of Google Street View.
Not even the back of the structure was spared. Image courtesy of Google Street View.
Wow! That was an amazingly thorough neutering of a building.
Neutered, indeed! Nary a trace of the original left…
What a tragic mess. While there was certainly good architecture happening in the middle of the last century, there was also an unprecedented amount of “lipstick on a perceived pig” attempts at modernizing. It never ceases to amaze to what great lengths people would go to to obliterate original architect designed character with a coat of stucco to smooth out the detail in the name of modernity and “ease of maintenance”
The rear of our 1852 brick rowhouse was covered in stucco sometime in the last 30 or so years. They did such a poor job of building out the window frames, we ended up with window sills tilted towards the house, water pooling against the wood after each storm, you can guess what happened.
Looking around at my neighbors, it seems that stucco has victimized more than 90% of the brick rear facades and I can only think there must have been a very industrious stucco salesman going door to door to convince everyone that they needed to cover the brick rather than maintain it.
I am quite envious of the one neighbor on our block whose house retains the original brick in the rear. Yes, it looks very old (cause it is) and it is black with grime, but I see character and charm.
I totally comprehend your envy of your neighbor’s intact exterior! Gritty, time-worn character resonates with me as well. It’s so much easier to just regularly maintain old houses rather than pretending that they can be converted to “maintenance free” dwellings. There is no such thing as “maintenance free”… it’s an illusion. Even new work requires upkeep and, as in the case of your stucco, it sometimes exacerbates the problem! At least you are aware of it, and know how to remediate it… a lot of people don’t. Who will be able to care for our historic resources in the future? I’m not feeling very optimistic…
Yes! As I explain to people, “Maintenance Free” really just means you have to tear it out and dispose of it when it’s reached the end of it’s life, instead of repairing/rehabilitating it.
That sums it up with profound clarity; thanks for a concise definition which I will look forward to using at every opportunity!
Your headline:
Formerly Interesting Masonic Temple Facade Muted by Stucco
My headline:
Formerly Stunning Masonic Temple Facade Destroyed by Idiots
You win!