Spring – April 7, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
This article was originally published by Metropolis Magazine as “A Brutal Dismantling.”
As soon as photographer Harlan Erskine discovered the plans to demolish Paul Rudolph‘s iconic Orange County Government Center in New York, he knew he needed to bear witness to its demise. Beyond admiring the building’s dynamic form, the photographer recognized its continued impact on architecture today, particularly noting its influence on Herzog and de Meuron’s “Jenga tower.”
Visiting on four separate occasions throughout 2015 and 2016, Erskine captured the dismantling of this iconic Brutalist work with stunning severity. See the building’s final seasons below.
Winter
March 8, 2015
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Winter – March 8, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring
April 7, 2015
Spring – April 7, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – April 7, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – April 7, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Fall
September 28, 2015
Fall – September 28, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Fall – September 28, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Fall – September 28, 2015. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring
May 28, 2016
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Spring – May 28, 2016. Image © Harlan Erskine
Sig Nordal 