So its not just an irish reaction to suggestions of conservations so......


"Rancho Mirage home built in 1963 is sold for $2.45 million. Preservation is hinted at, then wrecking ball quickly falls." http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-041102neutra.story

The Snyderman House in Fort Wayne, Indiana, designed by Michael Graves in 1972, has gone up in smoke. Arson is suspected. http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1028196004177024.xml

The house had been vacant for many years and was in very poor condition. It was under threat of demolition for a housing addition. Two years ago, the developers offered to sell it and the surrounding landscape for $590,000 to the Eleventh Commission, a non-profit organisation (www.eleventhcommission.com), but the money could not be raised.

Some images and info on the house:
http://databases.lib.ncsu.edu/design/slides/Search/results.cfm?c=Title&q=Snyderman+House&r=20&f=TextAndImage&a=++Search++&s=1
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~erin/334.html
http://architecture.njit.edu/StWorkPages/SnydermanHouse.htm