Architecture in Charleston is one of the primary things that give this city its character. You get a sense of two key things about the city from its buildings – its taste for beauty and esthetic pleasure, and its respect for the past. There is currently a debate in Charleston over how to proceed with current and future building projects, (an article was written about it recently in the New York Times).
There are two dominant perspectives in the debate – there are those who want the city to maintain its old world feel, and those who are in favor of modernization in new building projects. As always seems to be the case, it seems that there is a happy medium that could be reached. But this happy medium doesn’t necessarily mean that every new building should walk the line between being modern and classical at the same time. A building designed and built by implementing such a plan turns into a mish-mash with no personality of its own.
Old buildings are essential to Charleston, and must be preserved, but that does not mean that every new building must be built in the same vein. That would just be imitative. New buildings however, should not be eye sores. New styles can fit in the existing context and make it even richer if done properly. Then, in 100 years, Charlestonians can look upon buildings built today with the fondness that we currently look upon buildings from the turn of the 19th century.
The architecture of Charleston already represents so many eras and fashions, and should be able to incorporate more. It is just important to make sure to not sell taste and respect for history down the river.
