Nicolai Ourousoff, the architecture critic for the New York Times, took aim at the new design for the Nets' proposed arena in Brooklyn on Tuesday, and scored a killshot. The end of his opening paragraph calls the decision to scrap Frank Gehry's design "a shameful betrayal of the public trust, one that should enrage all those who care about this city." He's just getting warmed up at that point.
He writes that new architects Ellerbe Beckett are designers of "generic, unimaginative buildings." The new design is a "monstrosity," and argues that the "spirtless box would fit more comfortably in a courtyard." He admits that there were things to dislike about Gehry's design and the way it would affect the neighborhood. Ultimately he praises the original design for the way the arena was integrated into the city around it, something that isn't true of the new design.
Its low-budget, no-frills design embodies the crass, bottom-line mentality that puts personal profit above the public good. If it is ever built, it will create a black hole in the heart of a vital neighborhood.
But what’s most offensive about the design is the message it sends to New Yorkers. Architecture, we are being told, is something decorative and expendable, a luxury we can afford only in good times, or if we happen to be very rich. What’s most important is to build, no matter how thoughtless or dehumanizing the results. It is the kind of logic that kills cities — and that has been poisoning this one for decades.
It's probably safe for the Nets to take Ourousoff's name off their season ticket offer mailing list.
The review of the Times' architecture critic isn't going to decide if the arena winds up being built. The future of the project lies with the Empire State Development Corporation, whose interests probably do not stretch to the message that's being sent about architecture.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
