Places 17.2 Retrofitting Suburbia

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the latest issue of Places journal at the architecture library. The issue is titled Retrofitting Suburbia and is edited by Ellen Dunham-Jones. I've been spending a lot of time researching strategies for suburban retrofits over the past few weeks in the library—so I was understandably excited to hear that the last issue of Places would be devoted to the topic.

It finally arrived yesterday.

I read the journal cover-to-cover in record time and waited for it to sink in over the course of the day. And what did I come away with? Disappointment.

The essays and projects included are very successful in that they cover a wide range of issues related to the topic from a variety of perspectives—finance, real estate, policy, architecture, etc. But I can't help but feel disappointed that the overall tone of the issue was, well, a bit depressing, really! And quite boring too!

Christopher B. Leinberger's essay, entitled "Creating Alternatives to the Standard Real Estate Types" spent more time explaining how entrenched the market is in existing real estate typologies than he did describing possible additions of new types. Renee Chow's "Ossified Dwelling: Or Why Contemporary Suburban Housing Can’t Change" beautifully diagrams and describes wonderful adaptations to homes in Levittown. But, only to conclude that today's sub-divisions contain houses that are too large and lots that are too small to support this type of retrofit today. Paul Hess' "Rediscovering the Logic of Garden Apartments" clearly describes the history of and fundamental problems with the garden apartment. Together, these essays describe how incredibly difficult it is to physically retrofit suburban conditions, particularly in residential areas.

"Superneighborhood 27: A Brief History of Change" by Susan Rogers is a fascinating essay that describes the incredible demographic and social change that has taken place in a inner Houston suburb over the last 20 years as a growing population of families from Central America has replaced middle class singles. This essay convincingly shows that unplanned demographic change is perhaps a more likely "retrofit" than physical change.

Lots of descriptions. Lots of analysis. But what was missing were ideas, interventions, dreams -and dare I say- retrofits!

My favorite piece was provided by Roger Sherman, who describes a backyard wiffle ball baseball field that was constructed in two backyards of cul-de-sac residences in southern California. Complete with bleachers, a scoreboard and even a concession stand, this project is one of the few illustrations of an actual retrofit.

Of course, Places is a serious and scholarly journal. This collection of essays clearly illustrates that there are numerous policies, cultural attitudes and financial markets that present an incredible challenge to those who would like to transform the middle landscape.

Maybe the notion of "fun" is not in keeping with the scholarly sensibilities of the magazine—or—with the dire state of the suburban landscape. But, I can't help but wish J.B. Jackson was with us to remind us that these landscapes are beautiful and interesting places too. We ought to find a way to have some fun when we think, write and dream about them.