Article: Working with City Hall; Gallery displays ideas for redesigning the controversial downtown site

ARCHITECTURE

Mayor Menino hates Boston City Hall. So do a lot of other people.

Now six young, bright architecture firms are suggesting ways to redesign it.

Why redesign City Hall? It was much admired when it opened, back in 1968. In a 1976 national poll of architects and scholars, it was ranked the seventh greatest building in American history.

But tastes change. City Hall is now probably the least loved building in Massachusetts, possibly the least loved in our entire galaxy. "Hulking concrete fortress" would be a typical description today.

The mayor wants to abandon City Hall and build a shiny new one, perhaps on the South Boston waterfront, perhaps in Dudley Square.

Should we let him? Can ...

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