The Atlanta Chapter of American Institute of Architects will host a forum on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 pm in the Architecture Auditorium at Georgia Tech to discuss protecting the Buckhead Branch Library.

AIA Atlanta Response to the Potential Razing of the Buckhead Library
Atlanta never seems to have a problem tearing buildings down but in this case, we are afraid it might be more than just the Buckhead Library.

The Buckhead Library is under attack for its land and the money it potentially could garner for personal interest. It is truly unfortunate that this building should face the risk of demolition so early in its useful life. The Buckhead Library is a rare -and good- local example of a movement that marks a definite point in our community's cultural evolution. If we destroy all those markers and milestones, then what will our successors use to understand that evolution? We understand that the character of surrounding district is dramatically changing. However, the Buckhead Branch library is an award-winning design that has been recognized around the world.
We believe that this controversial and significant piece of architecture by one of Atlanta's most provocative and internationally recognized Architecture firms, Mack Scogin and Merrill Elam Architects, should be preserved.

If the Buckhead library is not a critical component for Mr. Carter's project, I would urge him to leave it alone and let it enrich the investment he is making in Buckhead. There is the possibility that whichever public body would get the windfall is using the controversial nature of the building's design to mollify what might otherwise become a controversy over sale of a public asset for profit and the diminution of a public purpose by stuffing it into some commercially convenient corner rather than retaining a prominent public site.

On behalf of the American Institute of Architects, Atlanta Chapter, we urge our government officials to transcend personal taste and protect this public asset that will be appreciated in the generations to come. We should be challenging the public bodies in this to carefully examine the potential short term gains vs. long-term public benefits (or losses) in an open and open-minded process that lays all the issues out for whatever boards are involved and for the public.

As citizens of Atlanta, we would hope that we could have an intelligent conversation about appreciation for our civic buildings.

Bruce McEvoy AIA, LEED