Readers Favor Sympathetic Infill, But Clearly From A Different Period

The poll last week was interesting with the largest group of readers picking the answer that best sums up my thoughts.

1. Respectful of the massing & proportions of the old but clearly from a different period 84 [47.73%]
2. Be whatever is fashionable in new neighborhoods at the time 36 [20.45%]
3. Any structure is better than a vacant lot 22 [12.5%]
4. Replicate the older structures so you can’t tell new from old 18 [10.23%]
5. Approximate the old structures but not as detailed so you can easily tell new from old 9 [5.11%]
6. Other answer… 5 [2.84%]
7. Unsure/no opinion 2 [1.14%]

The five other answers were:

1. Replication is the first option, but new style should blend well with existing.
2. I think the one in the picture looks cool.
3. Whatever historic preservation boards tell us bc theyre always right.
4. As long as it is quality construction…
5. they can do whatever they want; it’s their property and money

I’ll plan a future post looking at numerous examples of infill in St. Louis.

– Steve Patterson