I think that successfully mixing old and new is an incredible skill; when done well, amazing things can happen. When done badly, the results can be hideous. To create something contemporary which retains elements of the traditional is not an easy task, but successful results can produce something which is more than the sum of its old and new parts. Allow me to illustrate with three examples.

The Reichstag building in Berlin was originally constructed in 1894 to house Germany's parliament, but was ravaged by fire in 1933. In 1999 it was re-opened having been gutted, re-fit and extended under the watchful eye of one of Britain's greatest exports, Sir Norman Foster. His new design features the original facade of the building in all its glory, but with a magnificent and contemporary glass dome on top. It's one of my favourite buildings, and I can think of fewer better fusions of old and new in the architectural world. Lots more info on Wikipedia.

After the recent rebrand of BBC News, I got thinking about David Lowe's theme music. One thing that struck me when watching the BBC News through the ages video was how diverse the branding of bulletins was for so long. In today's world it seems mad that the six o'clock and nine o'clock programmes had different sets and music. I'm all for individuality, but this complete lack of consistency seems mad to me today. And so it was that in 1999 the Beeb introduced a new, unified look across many of their news bulletins, designed by Lambie Nairn and with music by David Lowe. The look has since been tweaked again and again, but the music has stayed fairly consistent for 9 years now. I've repeatedly heard it described as "iconic", and I don't think that's unfair. It's engaging and instantly recognisable, but despite its contemporary style it manages not to lose its weight and gravitas. Because the rhythmic pips of the main theme seem a clear nod to the radio pips (the Greenwich Time Signal). To identify and incorporate such an iconic and historic audio theme into a modern piece of music is inspired in my book. If you fancy holding a BBC News themed rave (which I'm sure you will...), check out their remixes. The theme has even been remixed by Bill Bailey!

Finally the most recent example, and the one which first got me thinking about this whole idea. The Royal Mint recently announced new coins, designed by Matthew Dent. I think they're fantastic, and look really modern and interesting. Yet the design keeps (most of) the traditionalists happy by being based on the Royal Arms. The 'jigsaw' motif is unique and really rather clever, whilst the asymmetry of many of the designs is pleasing and the simplified edge designs (the removal of the ring of dots around most coins) gives a more contemporary looking simplicity and elegance.

Each of these examples will of course have its doubters, those who think that they ruin an old design or that the aims of each project would have been better served by breaking with the past altogether. But for me, a good blend of old and new is often more impressive than the old or the new in isolation.