mixed emotions

Architecture is a disturbing art; it destroys places. Building sites always have the scent of sacrifice, barely masked by the hopeful and exciting smell of a new construction. It is our job to assuage the sacrifice and make building an act of understanding and adoration of the place. So in our work we concentrate on trying to achieve this difficult objective, in the hope that our buildings will seem part of the place, rather than just being sited on it, and will gain strength and meaning from the alliance.

W. G. Clark, Clark and Menefee Architects

I came home from church this afternoon to find the scent of sacrifice; two of the trees next to my house had been cut down. While I am glad that one in particular is gone (its roots were too close to my foundation & starting to crack it) I am struck by a certain sadness at the loss. Gone is the tree that used to shade my patio, the home of the birds that I listened to as they sang in the morning. The emotions I felt reminded me immediately of the author (and architect) quoted above, one I very much admire, for his theory and for his practice.

I don't know exactly what the plans are for that land, but I know it will involve some re-grading to fix some drainage problems my neighbor was having. I hope that what replaces it will somehow atone for the loss of the trees.