San Francisco: Stuck in the past

Don’t know if you remember that in 2008 Prada was going to build its headquarters in San Francisco. The incredible creation was designed by Rem Koolhaas. Critics here compared it to a giant cheese grater saying it clashed with the classic architecture of surrounding properties.

Bogged down by red tape and the ultra-conservative San Francisco design review board, the project was ultimately scrapped. San Francisco lost its chance to inject some badly needed vitality into the downtown area.

I couldn’t post a photo of the proposed Prada structure because it was never built. The photo here is of a display from the Rem Koolhaas designed Prada store in Los Angeles, a city often maligned by San Franciscans who cling to the past.

There’s a lot to be said for preserving the old, but not much to be said for ignoring the new.

Rem Koolhaas has mounted an exhibit currently showing in New York City exploring the issue of historical preservation. He has a controversial, even insubordinate view.

The show itself is a dynamic work.

If you can’t visit the exhibit in Manhattan, you can read about it here.