Architect and engineer . (ALIK,George Washiny^ton Smith. Architect Renaissance, etc., and does no harm so long as we remember that theterms are no more than convenient but artificial groupings without nxedcorrespondence in the, infinite variety of reality. The most significantfact about any of the accepted styles is not that they are uniform, butthat their vaiiety is truly infinite. Such diversity is, in fact, the condi-tion of vitality. If the domes of Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Mariadelle Grazie, St. Peters, and the Salute were all alike except in size; ifpalaces of Genoa, Siena, and Paler
Architect and engineer . (ALIK,George Washiny^ton Smith. Architect Renaissance, etc., and does no harm so long as we remember that theterms are no more than convenient but artificial groupings without nxedcorrespondence in the, infinite variety of reality. The most significantfact about any of the accepted styles is not that they are uniform, butthat their vaiiety is truly infinite. Such diversity is, in fact, the condi-tion of vitality. If the domes of Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Mariadelle Grazie, St. Peters, and the Salute were all alike except in size; ifpalaces of Genoa, Siena, and Palermo might be interchanged without THE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER 51 shock to the least sensitive observer, then would the conclusion be ines-capable that the Italian Renaissance was decadent, that life had ebbedand left it prone. The glory of Italian architecture is only secondarilythat all its cities are Italian, and primarily that each has its ownindividual physiognomy. Its vitality is witnessed by its STAUiWAY, llol S|. ()!? mi;, I i;aic; ;i:rnN. santa BARBARA, calif. Geoi-R-e Washington Smith, Architect The ideal of an architecture integrated into one American attractive in a superficial way, is the ideal of decadence. Recall,for instance, the physical and historical backgi-ounds, the traditions, cus-toms, and outlooks of Massachusetts, rennsylvania, Louisiana. Illinois,California. What is tlitre to suggest that these diverse physical andsocial characteristics should express themselves in similar architecture?Reduce the field of survey to a fraction of this vast area, its many communities enjoy life responsive to their various situations 52 THE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER and needs, what degree of resemblance should we expect between archi-tecture in Eureka, Fresno and San Diego? That standardization hasactually been to a large degree achieved is one of the most disquietingaspects of American architecture. When a new offic
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