RAC Expansion - A Modern Box Devoid of Character and Beauty

There is hopefully a time when an organization attains a momentous point in its life that requires either more personnel, more space or both to ensure it can continue to fulfill its mission. RAC is one such organization, requiring more space to support the very community it has served for decades. I applaud that they've arrived at this point and seek to build upon its successful past to accommodate the future.

However, an organization must carry forward a vision that supports its mission that considers both the social and physical aspect of its footprint.

As of this writing, the RAC expansion proposal illuminates what is wrong with architecture today. The "modern" approach takes no consideration of its surroundings nor the unique qualities of what makes Rye special. It is a style that is sadly and quickly homogenizing the American landscape, converting it into boxes bereft of local charm or beauty.

RAC. I implore you and your architects to try harder. Many of us accept your need to expand. But do so thoughtfully, ensuring beyond a reasonable doubt that it fits the fabric of Rye and its immediate environs.