Orange County Modernism: The Legacy of Paul Rudolph

ALBANY, NY (03/28/2011)(readMedia)-- In his book Writings on Architecture, the late architect Paul Rudolph mused about one of his works, "I'm pleased that the building touches people, and part of that is that people's opinions oscillate about it. That's okay. The worst fate from my viewpoint would be indifference."

Hudson Valley residents and anyone interested in the provocative world of Late Modern architecture are invited to attend a lecture titled Orange County Modernism: The Legacy of Paul Rudolph on Saturday, April 16 from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Seligmann Homestead, 23 White Oak Drive in Sugar Loaf.

Speakers will include Theo Prudon, President of DOCOMOMO-US and Principal of Prudon and Partners, as well as author of the book, Preservation of Modern Architecture; David Fixler, President of DOCOMOMO-US/New England and Principal, Design and Preservation, EYP Architecture & Engineering P.C.; Dr. Richard Hull, Professor of History at New York University and Warwick Municipal Historian; and Sean Khorsandi, Co-Director, Paul Rudolph Foundation.

Presentations will focus on the architectural significance of Late Modern architecture, Paul Rudolph in particular, challenges and opportunities in preserving Late Modern architecture, and case studies illustrating successful preservation efforts.

This event is presented by the Preservation League of New York State, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Change Orange, and hosted by the Orange County Citizen's Foundation.

"As New York's only statewide preservation organization, we believe it is incumbent upon us to share information on the work of Late Modern architect Paul Rudolph, and convene experts from throughout the region on this controversial yet important architectural style," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League.

"The National Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to help present this public opportunity to examine the legacy of Paul Rudolph and to consider the fates of two important surviving examples of his work – the Orange County Government Center in Goshen and the Chorley Middle School in Middletown," said Wendy Nicholas, Director of the Northeast Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "This event will help advance the urgent national discourse currently underway about the place of Modern architecture in our culture, and how to carry the best elements of that history into the future."

Both Rudolph-designed buildings in Orange County are threatened with demolition. The John W. Chorley Elementary School in Middletown (1964-69), designated one of the Preservation League's Seven to Save endangered properties in 2010, was designed on a very limited budget with many repeating elements to facilitate economical construction. The internal landscape of open classrooms represents a dialog with the building site conditions and each classroom has direct access to the exterior. Sawtooth skylights introduce natural light to the interior and evoke the many factory buildings along the Hudson River Valley.

The Orange County Government Center in neighboring Goshen was completed in 1967 and includes office space for municipal officials, meeting rooms, and a Department of Motor Vehicles branch. Its Late Modern design was controversial from the beginning - at the time of its construction it was called "a monstrosity." Opponents of demolition are quick to note Rudolph's stature, and the imaginative interior layout which the architect said was inspired by "Mies van der Rohe's concept of implied space."

"Considering the possibility of the Paul Rudolph-designed Government Center's demolition, it is crucial to understand all aspects of this building, including its architectural significance," said Sheila Conroy, former Supervisor, Town of Woodbury, and a member of Change Orange. "I am pleased to support this event, where architects with experience rehabilitating buildings like the Government Center can speak not only to the importance of the building, but also to the economic feasibility of rehabilitation."

This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, please call Erin Tobin at 518-462-5658 x12 or email etobin@preservenys.org.