Brian Libby at Portland Architecture has a great post on the fate of Holst's new building on North Mississippi. Both sides have good points this time but cant they work things out? Will this BDS decision have a withering effect on good design in the city and lead to a bunch of crummy, designer outlet store approved faux historic travesties? Or can the anarchists and design gurus make nice by realizing that modern design can actually highlight the funkier historic buildings in a kind of anachronistic-modern tango? The middle of the road way leads to homogenized aesthetics and Brian is right to be concerned. What is at stake here is what I call Portland's "Freak Factor" and I think everyone needs to stop thinking purely in terms of, "what fits?" That kind of thinking leads to self-parody and the apple store decision on NW 23rd was simply sad. Instead, decisions should emphasize what stands out. A modern building coexisting next to an anachronist collective just slays me, it should happen and would be sooo Portland.

Holst architecture does very sharp yet inviting work and previous projects like the Belmont lofts look great on that funky street in the SE... so why not in NoPo with a few possible changes? Look, change is coming it can either celebrate excellence or mediocrity.

As Brian pointed out: the Portland Landmarks Commission will hear an appeal of the BDS rejection on Monday at 1:30pm (1900 SW Fourth Avenue, 4th floor - be there.)