Auto Hotel (Shaw Center for the Arts), Baton Rouge

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana executive director noted that this project was a tough one. For many years, FHL encouraged the preservation of the old Auto Hotel with its interesting interior and spiral staircase where cars would go up and down. Unfortunately, over the years, the neighborhood and building fell into disrepair. To begin to revitalize the area, several local institutions sponsored a charette that came up with idea for an arts museum complex. Noble idea of course, but the design that was picked was not sensitive to the historic structure. Some preservationists felt it was the only way the building could be saved, but apparently not much of the historic structure was kept (not even the spiral staircase). Added insult: the facade facing the old State Capitol is just so stark (sheer black wall with a big metal door) that it's an affront to the old Capitol.