Cambridge Architect Protests Renovations

A Cambridge architects and Harvard alumnus is battling to save Memorial Hall's historic appearance, but he's not likely to have much effect.

Philip A. Rizzo, who has written a book on Cambridge buildings, objects to plans which will attach a loading bays and a kitchen to the Kirkland Street side of the historic hall. He has protested to President Neil L. Rudenstine and alumni including Vice President Al Gore '69.

Rizzo's concerns are shared by the Massachusetts and Cambridge Historical Commissions, bodies responsible for the preservation of historical sites.

"We clearly preferred that this [project] be built without an addition," said Executive Director Charles Sullivan.

The hall, built in 1870 to commemorate the students and alumni who died during the Civil War, is being restored and altered into a new first-year dining hall and student center, the Loker Commons. The project is scheduled for completion in 1995.

The problem with the blueprint, Rizzo said, is that students and visitors exiting Memorial Hall to Kirkland Street in the future will see two large industrial service bays, "replete with an adjacent trash dumpster" on their left.

"Harvard is ruining an extraordinary place of post-Civil War architecture," he said.

But while University officials any they are concerned about the issue, they are unlikely to change course on the planned alterations.

Harvard "has struggled with the issues raised [by Rizzo] for some time," wrote Secretary of the University Michael Roberts in a memo to Rizzo.

The Cambridge architect met with Director of Planning Kathy A. Spiegelman yesterday. She said Uni- varsity planners remain settled on the present compromise design, Rizzo said.

"She said they have no intention of interrupting the construction schedule," Rizzo said. If there are strong objections to the new Memorial Hall after it is built. Spiagelman said the University may possibly consider alterations, he added.

But Rizzo argues that it would be far easier to preserve Mem Hall's appearance right now.

"It would take a machine operator and a hauler a day to take the back to the dirt," he said.

"After the construction, "the best you can hope for is some boxy retrefit," he added.

The loading area would be covered up by metal siding, he said, but would still deface the building

"She said they have no intention of interrupting the construction schedule," Rizzo said. If there are strong objections to the new Memorial Hall after it is built. Spiagelman said the University may possibly consider alterations, he added.

But Rizzo argues that it would be far easier to preserve Mem Hall's appearance right now.

"It would take a machine operator and a hauler a day to take the back to the dirt," he said.

"After the construction, "the best you can hope for is some boxy retrefit," he added.

The loading area would be covered up by metal siding, he said, but would still deface the building