LETTER: An architectural mix, including modern designs, good for Port

A highlight of my recent trip to Chicago was the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s river tour. Like the best of short vacations, this one gave us fresh perspective, this time on the architectural mix in Port Washington, and the current debate over what is pleasing architecture downtown.

Our architecture docent pointed out the mix of building styles (Gothic, Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco), along with the buildings’ orientation to the river and each other. To be sure, some buildings were just plain ugly. But the best echoed features in already existing buildings (columns, for example, can be expressed in both Gothic and Modern styles). And the very finest reflected the look of the river.  Some curved to the shape of the river.  Others had glass in undulating shades of blue to reflect river movement. Some had graceful arches that reminded us of the river’s pathway.

The same considerations might be applied to our downtown. Modern buildings aren’t eyesores if they are oriented to other buildings and the lake. I live in Harbour Lights condos and am proud that our developer attempted to make our decidedly modern building fit into the look of the downtown. The same can be said of the townhouses near Fisherman’s Park.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with the modern look of the Newport Shores building, but wish it had a somewhat lower profile, and especially wish it had an architectural orientation to the lake.

It also feels important to me that a mix of old and new remain in our downtown, along with plenty of green space.

It comes down to having an overall vision for our downtown. When city planners review a design, I encourage them to consider both the design’s appropriateness to existing buildings, along with an artful expression of the dominant feature of downtown—Lake Michigan.

Barbara Joosse
Port Washington