Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP – Page 48 – News – What’s New at AIANY and the Center for Architecture.

Fares Raise Commuters’ Dander

Last week the Metropolitan Transit Authority announced potential fare hikes for 2008. The MTA is expected to make a final vote in December, and the new plan would get under way late February or March. The debate is not over, but I feel the message that the MTA is trying to send is unclear. Raising fares is supposed to be a last-resort, but recently the MTA seems to be raising fares frequently (one variation of the proposal would make it possible for the MTA to increase fees every other year). If the city is encouraging commuters to live more sustainable lives, including using mass transit, it needs to consider other ways to raise money to support the MTA.

Two options were offered: raise unlimited monthly MetroCards to anywhere between $79 and $82, or introduce a split fare system where rides will cost $2 for peak and $1.50 for off-peak hours. Even though both proposals also include new 14-day unlimited cards ($45-$48), which I think is a good idea, I think both these options are flawed.

At first look, it seems as if the split fare system is a better option. If you are not already purchasing unlimited cards, as long as you purchase a card $6 or more, you will save more money under this program than the current one. Raising single rides to $2.25 will not affect a majority of people. However, Bobby Cuza of NY1 put it profoundly: “In other words, the only people paying full price would be those who can only afford to buy one or two rides at a time.”

On the other hand, the unlimited monthly MetroCard is the lifeblood of commuters in the city. As Mayor Bloomberg pushes for plaNYC and congestion pricing, and encourages more New Yorkers to take advantage of the city’s infrastructure, it sends a mixed message to also raise fares for those who are practicing what he is preaching.

Drop Off Your Unwanted Electronics This Weekend

This coming weekend, the Center for Architecture is providing a place to recycle your unwanted electronics. Bring your computers, monitors, printers, TV’s VCR’s, cell phones, audio-visual equipment, batteries, and other items to the Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 6-7, and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 8. The event is hosted by the Lower East Side Ecology Center, and sponsored by AIANY. For more information, e-mail or call 212-477-4022.

Interior architects and architects celebrate together at the opening of Architecture Inside/Out at the Center for Architecture, September 19.

(l-r): Lance Jay Brown, FAIA; Susan Szenazy; Ernest Hutton, Assoc. AIA, AICP.

Kristen Richards

Joan Blumenfeld, FAIA, IIDA, LEED AP, 2007 AIANY President, and Jim McCullar, FAIA, AIANY First Vice President/President Elect.

Kristen Richards

Architect Garrett Gourlay at Sara Tecchia Gallery celebrating the near-completion of The Brauser Group’s 100 West 18 Street, a 10-story, 41-unit luxury condo on the corner of 6th Avenue (Zen garden included).

Kristen Richards

At the opening reception for Parsons Design Workshop 2007: Margaretville Pavilion (l-r): M.Arch candidates and Design Workshop team members Ian Carrington and Zachary Griffin, with LTL’s David J. Lewis, Faculty, Parsons the New School for Design.

Kristen Richards

NYC celebrated National Park(ing) Day September 21. Over 25 parking spots throughout the city were reclaimed and transformed into lawns and gardens to bring awareness of the need for better and more productive use of public space. For more information, check out the website.

Jessica Sheridan

Stephen Yablon, AIA, overlooking the merry-makers at the grand opening of Dieu Donné Papermaking Studio (see e-O 09.18.07).

Kristen Richards

Center for Architecture Gallery Hours
Monday–Friday: 9:00am–8:00pm, Saturday: 11:00am–5:00pm, Sunday: CLOSED

Join an Architalker for a Hosted Tour of Center for Architecture
Exhibitions
Join us for free Architalker-hosted tours of the Center for Architecture exhibitions Fridays at 4:00pm. To join one of these tours, meet in the Public Resource Area on the ground floor of the Center for Architecture.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Architecture Inside/Out

September 19 — December 8, 2007

Galleries: Gerald D Hines Gallery, Street Gallery, Public Resource Center

Architecture Inside/Out demonstrates the unfolding of space by exposing architectural interiors through a range of typologies with an inward focus, including libraries, hotels, retail and work spaces. This exhibition challenges conventional categories and explores alternative typologies. The design of interiors has evolved into a complex and nuanced problem and addresses circulation patterns, use and adjacencies, sociologies of hierarchy and networks, and sustainability. The fully integrated interior considers light, color and materiality, but also new ways of programming space, the latest technological advances, innovative methods of construction and green practices.

Traditional representations such as section, plan and elevation, in addition to models and details will provide a lens to reveal inherent characteristics of featured interiors, exposing materials, structure and spatial relationships. Architecture Inside/Out takes the familiar architectural conventions and places them parallel to alternative ways of seeing and revealing. When these alternative methods of understanding space are applied to typologies, they provide views of the interior that shed new light on familiar places.

Curator:
Lois Weinthal, Director of Interior Design, Parsons

Exhibition Design: Freecell

Graphic Design: Language Arts

The exhibition and related programming are organized by the AIA New York Chapter in collaboration with the AIA New York Chapter’s Interiors Committee and the Center for Architecture Foundation.

Underwriter: AFD Contract Furniture

Patron: Certified of New York

Lead Sponsor: Zumtobel Lighting

Sponsor:: BBG-BBGM; Spartech Corporation; STUDIOS Architecture

Supporter:

Jack L. Gorden Architects; Perkins + Will

Supporters:

InterfaceFLOR
Knoll
Mancini Duffy
Perkins + Will
Steelcase
STUDIOS Architecture

Related Events

Saturday, October 20, 2007, 1:00 — 4:00pm
FamilyDay@theCenter:Architecture – Inside and Out!

August 23 — October 27, 2007

New Practices London

Galleries: Judith and Walter Hunt Gallery, Mezzanine Gallery

The Future of the Architecture Profession in London. The exhibition features young firms whose work shows invention and promise. New Practices London is organized by the AIA New York Chapter’s Center for Architecture in collaboration with The Architecture Foundation in London.

6a Architects
AOC
Carmody Groarke
drdharchitects
Ullmayer Sylvester Architects
Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Exhibition Design:
Gage/Clemenceau Architects

Organized by:
AIA New York Chapter in collaboration with The Architecture Foundation in London.

Related Programming Organized by:
Center for Architecture in collaboration with the AIA New York Chapter’s New Practices Committee and the AIA New York Chapter’s International Committee and the Center for Architecture Foundation

Media Partners: The Architect’s Newspaper

Related Events

Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 6:00 — 9:00pm
New Practices London Symposium

Super-Model Lecture Series
AIA New York Chapter’s New Practices Roundtable presents an exploration of innovative models of architectural and design practice.

Tuesday November 6, 2007, 6:00 — 8:00pm
MINI_1-20, small firms means & methods

Thursday, December 6, 2007, 6:00 — 8:00pm
Exfoliation- RE-GENERATION

Exhibition Underwriter:

*Opening presented as part of the SKYY90 Diamond Design Series

Sponsors:

OS Fabrication & Design, The Conran Shop

Supporters:
Arup
bartcoLighting
Fountainhead Construction
FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS
MG & Company
Microsol Resources
Structural Enterprises

Friends:
Barefoot Wines
Cosentini Associates
DEGW
Delta Faucet Company
Perkins Eastman & Partners

July 19 – October 19, 2007

arch schools: r(each)ing out

Galleries: Kohn Pedersen Fox Gallery, HLW Gallery, South Gallery

Last September, leading New York area architecture schools participated in an exhibition that set out to foster a closer connection between the schools, students, and the profession.

This summer will feature our third annual architecture schools exhibition, arch schools: r[each]ing out, devoted exclusively to the work of students. The AIA New York Chapter’s annual architecture schools exhibition demonstrates exemplary student work representing the 9 New York area architecture schools, whose deans sit on the Board of the AIA New York Chapter, and 8 invited schools, including the four interiors design programs in New York City. The schools are asked to submit work related to the 2007 New York Chapter’s presidential theme “Architecture Inside/Out”.

Participating Schools:

The City College of New York (CUNY)
Columbia University
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Cornell University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York School of Interior Design
Parsons the New School for Design
Pratt Institute
PrincetonUniversity
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
School of Visual Arts
Syracuse University
University at Buffalo (SUNY)
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University

Exhibition and related programming organized by the AIA New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture Foundation

Sponsors:

Supporters:
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

Friends:
Beyer Binder Belle: Architects & Planners
Butler Rogers Baskett Architects
Francois de Menil Architect
Gabellini Sheppard Associates
Mancini Duffy
Terrence O’Neal Architect

Related Events

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 9:00pm – 2:00am
Party@theCenter!

09.18.07

09.18.07

Although this year’s 9-11 remembrance ceremony was much more low-key than in past years, check out this issue to read about what is happening in Lower Manhattan. See Remembering 9-11, Downtown Receives Dose of Realism, Three Draws a Crowd, and Sited for updates.
– Jessica Sheridan, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP

Medium-Size Firms Hit Happy Medium

Event: SUPERMODELS: MEDI_20-100, Expanded Mediums
Location: Center for Architecture, 09.05.07
Speakers: Rob Rogers, AIA — Principal, Rogers Marvel Architects; Charles Renfro, AIA — Principal, Diller Scofidio + Renfro; Christopher Sharples — Principal, SHoP Architects
Moderator: Julie Iovine — Executive Editor, The Architect’s Newspaper
Organizer: AIANY New Practices Committee
Sponsors: Exhibition Underwriters: Häfele Americas; SKYY 90; Associated Fabrication; Patrons: 3form; ABC Imaging; Sponsors: Severud Associates; Thornton Tomasetti; OS Fabrication & Design; The Conran Shop; Supporters: Arup; Bartco Lighting; Fountainhead Construction; FXFOWLE Architects; MG & Company; Microsol Resources; Structural Enterprises; Friends: Barefoot Wines; Cosentini Associates; DEGW; Delta Faucet Company; Perkins Eastman; Media Partner: The Architect’s Newspaper

The challenge of running a medium-sized firm lies in retaining the flexibility and intimacy of a small firm while taking on a variety of project types and scales. Ranging from 20 to 100 employees, it is difficult to define overarching issues relevant to all medium firms. Rogers Marvel Architects (50 employees), Diller Scofidio + Renfro (45 employees), and SHoP Architects (66 employees) are similar in number of employees, but the principals run their offices differently. The one term agreed on by Rob Rogers, AIA, of Rogers Marvel Architects, Charles Renfro, AIA, of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Christopher Sharples of SHoP is “in flux” when talking about identity, management styles, and type of work.

The biggest benefit of a mid-size firm is that it is large enough to work on a variety of different projects, but small enough that every employee can be involved in all aspects of design. Rogers claims that Rogers Marvel is run like a 20-person firm even though they have 50 employees. The open studio atmosphere allows everyone to be involved in every project. Because the three principals at Diller Scofidio + Renfro oversee all design aspects, running the firm like an art studio — complete with group critiques — allows everyone to contribute and own a piece of the work. SHoP Architects’ five principals originally come from different disciplines. By hiring employees with specialized talents, work is distributed equally, and the firm is able to maintain its diversity.

Freedom to be creative is key, and keeping bureaucracy at a minimum is something to strive for in medium firms, especially when the firms need to grow. Often, firm growth is a result of a specific need, not necessarily a goal. Diller Scofidio + Renfro is moving to a bigger office, and therefore has space to hire more employees. The number of employees at Rogers Marvel fluctuates based on the needs of its current projects — sometimes they hire professionals who specialize in a specific field and other times they need more employees for large projects. SHoP grows as they obtain more projects; according to Sharples, with 19 active projects in six different market sectors, growth is a necessity.

While large firms can afford to pay higher salaries, employee retention is a priority to mid-size firms. Rogers Marvel aims to provide a challenging and interesting work environment so employees are excited to come to work. SHoP removed the names of the principals on the door to facilitate a collaborative atmosphere. By eliminating the hierarchy, employees can take ownership of the firm and the SHoP brand can change as the work develops. Diller Scofidio + Renfro maintains daily intrigue by working on small boutiques as well as long-term projects. Because smaller projects have a faster turn-around, employees can be involved in every stage of design and construction, and momentum is sustained with the larger projects.

Moderator Julie Iovine, executive editor of The Architect’s Newspaper, quoted the three firms’ online mission statements without stating which belonged to whom. While the stresses of medium-sized firms may be similar, it is apparent every firm approaches challenges differently.

Architects at Sea

AIANY Team sets sail (left) after readying the boat on the docks (right).

Kristen Richards

The wind was steady as evening set over Lower Manhattan. With 17 sailboats aiming for the start line and 30 seconds remaining, there was only one thing to do: tack. Randy Lewis, of the NYC School Construction Authority and regular sailor with the Manhattan Sailing Club, kept an eye on the clock. Skipper Damian Besculides of Mancini Duffy pushed the tiller slowly away from him. Rick Bell, FAIA, AIANY Executive Director, and I released the jib and reeled in the sheets port-side. Barb Steffen, AIANY Communications Coordinator, held onto the mainsail sheet while snapping photos of the action. Anthony Dowling, crewmember more familiar with Australian seas, and Mark Behm of Mancini Duffy kept an eye off the bow for oncoming traffic.

From then on, it was smooth sailing… except for the sheets getting caught on our ankles, the confusion over how to wrap the ropes clockwise (sorry!), and a brief collision with an oncoming Skidmore, Owings & Merrill boat (we had the right-of-way!). Luckily, no one was hit by the boom.

In its seventh year, the annual ChallengeNY Architect’s Regatta was held September 6, organized by Gerry Dolezar, hosted by the Manhattan Sailing Club, and providing a refreshing atmosphere for architects to socialize away from usual settings. This was the first year the AIANY Chapter sponsored a boat, and even though we came in close to the end of the pack, the prize awarded us by Robert A.M. Stern Architects — a martini glass trophy with an engraved face of Robert A.M. Stern, FAIA, wishing us “better luck next time” — made it worth the effort. That and the fact that the $1,000 each team donated to participate in the event is going to Project City Kids, a free sailing program for urban children.

Participating teams included: AIANY; Allen-Killcoyne Architects; BKSK Architects/Levien & Company; Bostwick Purcell Architects; Bureau V; FXFowle Architects; Daniel Frisch Architecture; Pei Partnership Architects/Fuller & D’Angelo; HLW International; HOK; Mancini Duffy; Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architects; Rogers Marvel Architects; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Robert A.M. Stern Architects; Swanke Hayden Connell Architects; and Ted Moudis Associates. At the end of the evening, HOK won the big prize, a trophy designed by Les Metalliers Champenois. However, each team created a prize for the team finishing behind it, and no one was left empty handed (especially HLW International — recipient of a large rubber ducky and Captain Morgan Rum nibs presented by Rick Bell). For more photographs from the evening check out Sighted.

Dance Company Rams Earth

Tere O’Connor Dance performs Rammed Earth.

Photo by Julieta Cervantes, courtesy chocolatefactorytheater.org

Choreographer Tere O’Connor seeks adaptability in contemporary architecture as a source for Rammed Earth, co-presented by The Chocolate Factory Theater and Danspace Project. The evening-length work highlights shifting layers of architectural reference in dance. Audience members are incorporated into the work as they are escorted into different viewing positions throughout the performance. Created in collaboration with lighting designers Brian MacDevitt and Michael O’Connor, composer James Baker, and performed by Tere O’Connor Dance, performances run from September 26 – October 7, Wednesdays-Saturdays 7:00 and 9:00 PM, and Sundays 5:00 and 7:00 PM. General admission is $15.00 and tickets are available via theatermania online or at 212-352-3101.

The ChallengeNY Architect’s Regatta brought architecture firms around the city together for an evening of sailing.

The races took place off of North Cove Marina in Lower Manhattan.

Kristen Richards

From the AIANY boat, the races were intense.

Rick Bell

The HOK team celebrates its victory.

Kristen Richards

The Swanke Hayden Connell Architects team at the docks.

Kristen Richards

The Robert A.M. Stern Architects team (in blue uniforms) present the AIANY team with a martini trophy.

Kristen Richards

Center for Architecture Gallery Hours
Monday–Friday: 9:00am–8:00pm, Saturday: 11:00am–5:00pm, Sunday: CLOSED

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Architecture Inside/Out

September 19 — December 8, 2007

Galleries: Gerald D Hines Gallery, Street Gallery, Public Resource Center

Curator:
Lois Weinthal, Director of Interior Design, Parsons

Exhibition Design: Freecell

Graphic Design: Language Arts

The exhibition and related programming are organized by the AIA New York Chapter in collaboration with the AIA New York Chapter’s Interiors Committee and the Center for Architecture Foundation.

Underwriter: AFD Contract Furniture

Patron: Certified of New York

Lead Sponsor: Zumtobel Lighting

Sponsor:: BBG-BBGM; Spartech Corporation; STUDIOS Architecture

Supporter:

Jack L. Gorden Architects; Perkins + Will

Supporters:

InterfaceFLOR
Knoll
Mancini Duffy
Perkins + Will
Steelcase
STUDIOS Architecture

Related Events

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 6:00 — 8:00pm

Opening

Saturday, October 27, 2007, 11:00am — 5:00pm

Symposium

Saturday, October 20, 2007, 1:00 — 4:00pm
FamilyDay@theCenter:Architecture – Inside and Out!

August 23 — October 27, 2007

New Practices London

Galleries: Judith and Walter Hunt Gallery, Mezzanine Gallery

6a Architects
AOC
Carmody Groarke
drdharchitects
Ullmayer Sylvester Architects
Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Exhibition Design:
Gage/Clemenceau Architects

Organized by:
AIA New York Chapter in collaboration with The Architecture Foundation in London.

Media Partners: The Architect’s Newspaper

Related Events

Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 6:00 — 9:00pm
New Practices London Symposium

Super-Model Lecture Series
AIA New York Chapter’s New Practices Roundtable presents an exploration of innovative models of architectural and design practice.

Tuesday November 6, 2007, 6:00 — 8:00pm
MINI_1-20, small firms means & methods

Thursday, December 6, 2007, 6:00 — 8:00pm
Exfoliation- RE-GENERATION

Exhibition Underwriter:

*Opening presented as part of the SKYY90 Diamond Design Series

Sponsors:

OS Fabrication & Design, The Conran Shop

Supporters:
Arup
bartcoLighting
Fountainhead Construction
FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS
MG & Company
Microsol Resources
Structural Enterprises

Friends:
Barefoot Wines
Cosentini Associates
DEGW
Delta Faucet Company
Perkins Eastman & Partners

July 19 – October 19, 2007

arch schools: r(each)ing out

Galleries: Kohn Pedersen Fox Gallery, HLW Gallery, South Gallery

Last September, leading New York area architecture schools participated in an exhibition that set out to foster a closer connection between the schools, students, and the profession.

Participating Schools:

Exhibition and related programming organized by the AIA New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture Foundation

Sponsors:

Supporters:
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

Friends:
Beyer Binder Belle: Architects & Planners
Butler Rogers Baskett Architects
Francois de Menil Architect
Gabellini Sheppard Associates
Mancini Duffy
Terrence O’Neal Architect

Related Events

Monday, September 24, 2007, 6:00 –– 9:00pm
Deans Roundtable and Reception

Monday, October 1, 2007, 6:00 – 8:00pm
2007 Dean’s Forum

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 9:00pm – 2:00am
Party@theCenter!