We’re at the end of the year. Again. I don’t know why that always surprises me. It’s not like we’re going to get to December and somehow get a bonus month. Although I think a lot of us would lose our minds if we turned the calendar and discovered we still had one more month to go.
On the other hand, if they could squeeze in some extra time between November and December, I’d have more time for Christmas shopping. (I am so far behind.) Not to mention more time for cookie baking.
Plus, I’d have more time to blog about the things I missed this year. Granted, I opted to focus my energy on advocacy and queer representation in architecture and beyond. Given how we’ve been treated by the current administrations—both Trump and Abbott—placing advocacy front and center felt more important.
However, that makes overlooking other issues, discussions, and challenges far too easy. But as we are at the end of the year—a time for reflection—I thought I’d take a minute or two to touch on what I missed as this year unfolded.
Dallas City Hall: Demolition vs. Repair
I will probably be crucified for saying this as a Dallas-based architect, but I am the last person who would miss Dallas City Hall in its current form. Yes, the building is a great example of brutalist architecture. Yes, I.M. Pei designed it. Yes, City Hall has been a part of the Dallas landscape for almost 50 years.
But have you seen it?
City Hall is an imposing building—it projects strength. However, getting there means parking behind the building or along the edges of the plaza and then walking across that enormous expanse to the one entry. Not appealing in the heat, cold, or rain. If the goal was to make sure Dallas residents stayed away, then job well done.
What’s worse for me is going inside. It’s not welcoming at all. It’s like all the thought was poured into the exterior, and nothing was left for the people who have to work there or visit. I’m sure that wasn’t the intention. But to go in and pay a bill? I’d rather just have my water shut off.
Death of Architecture
Not literally. Architecture will go on forever.
However, within little more than a week of one another, two greats died—Robert A.M. Stern and Frank Gehry. I kept waiting for a third, as if architects follow the celebrity rule of threes. But so far, nothing. Just Robert and Frank, although thinking of them as celebrities isn’t hard. Both, in their own ways, were part of the Starchitect class.
And although I wasn’t a big fan, I was disappointed that Gehry passed. While the later work he became known for was amazing in many ways, I kept waiting to see what was next. He had lived through the evolution of multiple styles of architecture. Surely he had an idea of what was coming. Too bad we won’t get to see what his next vision might have been.
Giving Thanks
I know I tend to be snarky about this every November. But after this year, I suspect many were grappling with what to be thankful for. Yet again—time for reflection—so I thought I would get this in before the year ran out.
What am I thankful for?
Everyone who stood up to the Cheeto-in-Chief—from judges to No Kings protesters. Everyone in the queer community who stepped up. Architecture organizations that didn’t buckle under the anti-DEI push. Pundits and others who lent a voice to the discomfort so many of us have felt as the year has gone by and the administration has thrown any remaining norms out the window. I’m grateful for all of them.
On a more personal level, I must say I’m quite thankful for both my husband and my sister’s husband. This has been the most challenging year with our mom, and the husbands came through. They always have. But my sister and I have both carried a lot of extra stress as the year unfolded, and I know that’s worked its way downhill.
And still, they’ve been patient with us and somehow managed to avoid shooting us with tranquilizer darts. Hopefully, we can return the favor—or at least figure out what medication they should take. Thankfully.
