Why Are So Many Paul Rudolph Buildings Being Torn Down?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 02. 9.10
Bonnie Alter
While out running in Sanibel Island, Florida, passing monster house after monster house, I came upon a small, lovely gem of modern architecture by the side of the road. It took about three seconds (google "small, modern, sanibel) to determine that it was the Walker Guest House by Paul Rudolph, a regular on TreeHugger. One of his first commissions, the 24' square house has lift-up panels connected to 77 pound round counterweights, giving it the nickname the "cannonball house." More to follow after I tour it on Friday, but it clearly shows all those things I love about Paul Rudolph and his Florida buildings- he understood the importance of natural ventilation, shading, working with the climate instead of throwing things at it.
Yet more than any other famous architect of the era, his buildings are either under threat or they are gone already. Why is this happening?
Photo: Energy Australia
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