The Germans don't know.

[LabelKing]

I don't think the Germans know what they're doing, demolishing the East German Palast der Republik: http://www.pdr.kultur-netz.de/

They're intending to rebuild the rather tacky and gaudy Berliner Stadtschloss which was demolished by the East Germans after extensive damage to it during World War II.

 

[Britalian]

While I would generally prefer the style of the older structure I can't help thinking that the demolition will be regretted some years down the line;these things often are, in spite of their perceived ugliness at the time or unrepresentativeness of the thrusting new capital of a united Germany. It certainly represents a certain era. One feels any replica will turn out badly.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Britalian

While I would generally prefer the style of the older structure I can't help thinking that the demolition will be regretted some years down the line;these things often are, in spite of their perceived ugliness at the time or unrepresentativeness of the thrusting new capital of a united Germany. It certainly represents a certain era. One feels any replica will turn out badly.
This is my feeling as well. Reproductions, especially of 19th century buildings, tend to always look absolutely fake, false, and cheap. Indeed, the last time I went to the new Asian Art Museum, housed in the old Main Library of San Francisco, the over-restored atmosphere put me entirely off. I thought the new interior design was completely inferior and awkward; it felt like an hospital. Most people, however, simply cannot recognize what they will later realize is superior design. They lack the ability and foresight.

 

[globetrotter]

this is an old and decrepit building sitting on about $100 million worth of prime real estate. last time I went by it was being used as a huge underground disco, and was full of homeless people and kids with skateboards.

if nobody wants to spend money on renovating and maintaining it, and I can understand why they wouldn't, it makes sense to tear down and rebuild.

 

[caelte]

Perhaps it is being removed for political reasons, to reduce the effect of the past and create a continuity with a perceived, "better", history.

If the building is to be destroyed, my feeling is, it would be better to replace it with a masterpiece for the future that residents of that distant time can abuse by destroying it at an even more distant date.

I understand the motivation to restore what was destroyed in WW II but I wonder if the practice might be out of date by now and reveal more of flaw in the national psyche than a courageous attempt to reverse the past.

It would be hard for most people to resist selling their grandmother if offered
100 million for her.

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by caelte

It would be hard for most people to resist selling their grandmother if offered 100 million for her.
I'd sell both grandmothers, my grandfathers remains, eat dog food spaghetti and get tasered 11 times in a library for this.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by m@T

I'd sell both grandmothers, my grandfathers remains, eat dog food spaghetti and get tasered 11 times in a library for this.

I'd go 50/50 with you - sell my grandparents, eat teh dog food off the spegetti and get tasered 5.5. times for 50 million....

 

[caelte]

Originally Posted by m@T

I'd sell both grandmothers, my grandfathers remains, eat dog food spaghetti and get tasered 11 times in a library for this.

I think, to show good faith, you should first eat the dog food spaghetti.

 

[Matt]

well I am in Hanoi at the moment, why dont we just go for dog? Warning - not for the squeamish....

 

[Kent Wang]

There are some buildings of questionable taste going up in Beijing as well. Like that egg thing -- the name escapes me.

 

[redcaimen]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I'd go 50/50 with you - sell my grandparents, eat teh dog food off the spegetti and get tasered 5.5. times for 50 million....

I'd make my dog into spaghetti and taser my grandmother for a mere 500 K.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

this is an old and decrepit building sitting on about $100 million worth of prime real estate. last time I went by it was being used as a huge underground disco, and was full of homeless people and kids with skateboards. if nobody wants to spend money on renovating and maintaining it, and I can understand why they wouldn't, it makes sense to tear down and rebuild.
Yes, it is; but the decrepit part comes from the fact that there was asbestos and they never restored back the interior when they finished the asbesto removal. Even then with the value of the real estate, the government is planning on erecting a reproduction of an old building.

 

[faustian bargain]

Originally Posted by redcaimen

I'd make my dog into spaghetti and taser my grandmother for a mere 500 K.

i think it doesn't count if it's something you would do anyway.

 

[faustian bargain]

if they were going to rebuild a historic building, they should stick to sites that still have ruins on them, such as the Frauenkirche in Dresden. It incorporates parts of the original structure, and I think they did a very sensitive job of it:

 

[LabelKing]

That East German building is an historic structure. It's just most people don't realize it yet--or don't care to.

A completey new "historical" structure is just going to look like kitschy. You might as well build a Disney castle there.