Must New Urbanism look old?

by Jon Swerens on January 22, 2008, in Architecture, Neighborhoods, Urbanism

(Jon) Neal makes a valid point regarding my post, “New Urbanism blooming in Bloomington”:

A neat development in a neat town, but the main problem is that the new houses are old-fashioned looking. What part of “New Urbanism” says it has to look like the thirties?

I know the looks are a response to what suburban building looks like currently, but there is another direction you can take this in — new designs. I would be a lot more attracted to something more fresh looking.

Here’s some housing that’s definitely “fresh,” from useful + agreeable magazine:

uahouse1.jpg

But maybe an architect friend or two can point out some other modern designs that would work in an older neighborhood?

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8 Responses to “Must New Urbanism look old?”

  1. Everett White January 23, 2008, at 2:21 am #

    These buildings are reminiscent of a gigantic iPod/iPhone wall charger!

    Though it’s not a “modern” design, I’ve always been a fan of 20th/21st century Cape Cod architecture.

  2. Kevin Whaley January 27, 2008, at 7:01 pm #

    The fact that the structures themselves are usually new is a part of what attracts people to New Urbanism. I don’t know that the buildings have to look “old” but thy do need to have some distinctive character.

  3. Scott Greider January 27, 2008, at 10:54 pm #

    Not an entire development, but a great example of new construction on an infill lot in an old urban neighborhood.

    http://www.dwell.com/homes/new/2877536.html

  4. Scott Greider January 28, 2008, at 1:54 am #

    Also…

    http://139.95.253.31/node/232

  5. Dan January 30, 2008, at 2:22 pm #

    Have a look at Prospect New Town (http://www.prospectnewtown.com/, photos at http://www.prospectnewtown.com/TourProspect/ThumbNails.asp) in Longmont, Colorado for a NU project that combines traditional and contemporary/modern architecture.

  6. dave macy February 22, 2008, at 4:02 pm #

    You MUST send these examples of “housing” into HGTV’s

    “What’s With That House?”

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