Protected: official u.s. entry for 2018 venice architecture bienniale – dimensions of citizenship – in the middle of a divine intervention?
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dimensions of citizenship: architecture and belonging from the body to the cosmos. 659 wrightwood gallery.
dimensions of citizenship: architecture and belonging from the body to the cosmos, the official u.s. entry at the recently-concluded 16th international architecture exhibition of the venice biennale, will be on view for the first time in the united states at wrightwood 659. devoted to exploring the notion of citizenship today and the potential role of architecture and design in creating spaces for it, dimensions of citizenship comprises seven unique installations, each created by a transdisciplinary team of architects and designers.
the curators asked each of the seven teams to consider what it means to be a citizen today, when conventional notions of citizenship are being simultaneously questioned and expanded. the teams are: amanda williams + andres l. hernandez, in collaboration with shani crowe; studio gang; scape; estudio teddy cruz + fonna forman; diller scofidio + renfro, laura kurgan, robert gerard pietrusko with columbia center for spatial research; keller easterling with many; and design earth.
curators: niall atkinson, ann lui, mimi zeiger / iker gill associate curator
#dimensionsofcitizenship
chicago’s obama presidential library announces seven finalists.
the obama foundation today released a finalist list of seven choice – all modernist – architects for the honor of designing the presidential library in chicago.
no word on how many requests for qualifications (rfq) were sent out but 140 did respond representing 99 united states-based firms, 25 countries and 60 cities. the chosen seven represent four from new york, two from europe and one from chicago.
“the foundation received submissions from an impressive list of architects with a range of styles, expertise, and experience,” said martin nesbitt, chairman of the foundation. “we are pleased to see such a high level of interest in the design from so many highly-qualified architecture firms. these finalists offer a variety of backgrounds and styles, and any one of them would be an excellent choice.”
the obama foundation released the request for qualifications on 26 august of this year and asked for submittals by 16 september. the foundation and its advisers reviewed and summarized the responses and made recommendations to the president and first lady, who then made the final selection.
the firms are asked to return preliminary plans to the foundation during the first quarter of 2016. this process is not the traditional juried design competition, but the rfp requires defined, visual responses from each candidate to present creative ideas. it’s expected the architects will present at the white house.
of interest, the finalists have an additional challenge of providing concepts for two locations, jackson park and washington park, both founded in 1870 and linked to each other via the midway plaisance. 20 years later jackson park was developed by architect daniel h. burnham and his partner john root to site the 1893 world’s fair, columbian exposition. due to their close proximity to each other both parks attracted 27 million worldwide visitors over the fair’s six months. the final architect standing will have a big voice in which site will be chosen.
the architect will be responsible for designing the obama presidential center, a facility which will include a library holding the presidential archives, a museum focusing on the obama presidency and issues of our time, and space for programs and initiatives that advance the foundation’s public mission.
chicagoans may not recognize the names on the list, but they may be aware of their local work: adjaye’s retrospective at the art institute of chicago; piano’s modern wing at the art institute; ronan’s poetry foundation and gary comer youth center; diller scofidio + renfro is designing the university of chicago’s rubenstein forum; tod williams billie tsien architects work on the logan center for the arts also on the university of chicago campus.
the national museum of african american history and culture | adjaye associates | courtesy smithsonian
adjaye associates | london & new york
adjaye associates, has worked on projects across four continents. notable works include the nobel peace center in oslo, norway, and the smithsonian institution’s national museum of african american history and culture, currently under construction in washington, d.c. the art institute of chicago is currently running a mid-career retrospective of adjaye’s work.
new york city high line | diller scofidio and renfro | courtesy friends of the high line
diller scofidio and renfro | new york
the firm is led by three partners – elizabeth diller, ricardo scofidio, and charles renfro. their portfolio includes major institutional projects including lincoln center in new york, and the broad museum in los angeles. also, new york’s high line and the university of chicago’s future rubenstein forum at 60th street and woodlawn avenue. diller and scofidio, became the first architects to win a macarthur foundation “genius” grant in 1999.
modern wing at the art institute of chicago | renzo piano building workshop | courtesy rob cleary
renzo piano building workshop | genova, italy, paris & new york
founded in 1981 by renzo piano and no stranger to the president and first lady, as are a few others on this list, piano was awarded the prestigious pritzker architecture prize in 1998 and the aia gold medal in 2008. notable works include the modern wing at the art institute of chicago, the california academy of science, and the whitney museum’s new building on gansevoort street in new york. current projects include the palais de justice in paris, france.
poetry foundation | john ronan architects | courtesy john ronan architects/hedrich blessing
john ronan architects | chicago
john ronan architects has designed many academic and civic institutions in chicago such as the gary comer youth center where the obama foundation held its press conference to announce site selection in may 2015. other notable chicago works include the lyrical and refined poetry foundation and the gary comer college prep. ronan was awarded the aia institute national honor award for both the poetry foundation and the gary comer youth center. [ ronan interview ]
site santa fe | shop | courtesy shop
shop | new york
shop architects won the architecture design award from the cooper hewitt, smithsonian design museum in 2009. notable work includes the barclays center in brooklyn, the botswana innovation hub in gaborone, botswana, and academic buildings at the fashion institute of technology in new york and is currently designing uber’s new headquarters in san francisco.
obama library concept for hawaii’s failed bid to win the presidential center | snøhetta | courtesy snøhetta
snøhetta | new york & san francisco
originally founded in norway, snøhetta was awarded the prestigious mies van der rohe prize in 2009 for the norwegian national opera & ballet. snøhetta’s body of work includes the bibliotheca alexandrina in egypt, the expansion of the san francisco museum of modern art, and the james b. hunt jr. library at north carolina state. in 2014, obama spoke at the dedication of the firm’s national september 11 memorial museum pavilion, calling it “a sacred place of healing and hope.”
logan center for the arts on the university of chicago campus | tod williams billie tsien architects | courtesy of university of chicago/jason smith
tod williams billie tsien architects | new york
williams and tsien founded their firm in 1974. their studio — by choice — designs only institutional, academic, civic, and residential work. they were awarded the 2013 national medal of arts by president barack obama. noteworthy work designed by williams and tsien include the barnes foundation in philadelphia, the logan center for the arts at the university of chicago, and the neurosciences institute in la jolla, california. they are currently designing the united states embassy complex in mexico.
[ download rfp ]
Cooper-hewitt awarded $5M from nyc for renovation.
campus/mansion
The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has received a $5 million allocation through the City of New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs. The funding supports Cooper-Hewitt’s renovation of the historic Carnegie Mansion and grounds, which will result in 60 percent more gallery space when the museum reopens in fall 2014. This is a major additional allocation from the City, which has previously supported this renovation, and will go toward further restoration of millwork, woodwork, flooring, stone and windows, as well as upgrading the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden.
[ official release ]
The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has received a $5 million allocation through the City of New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs. The funding supports Cooper-Hewitt’s renovation of the historic Carnegie Mansion and grounds, which will result in 60 percent more gallery space when the museum reopens in fall 2014. This is a major additional allocation from the City, which has previously supported this renovation, and will go toward further restoration of millwork, woodwork, flooring, stone and windows, as well as upgrading the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden.
“The City is pleased to continue its support for Cooper-Hewitt’s transformative project, which will make the institution an even more vibrant destination on Museum Mile,” said Kate D. Levin, commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. “The renovation of the Carnegie Mansion will make design accessible to museumgoers with expanded gallery space, the restoration and preservation of historic rooms, innovative landscape design.”
old ground floor
new ground floor
“We are so grateful to the City and the Department of Cultural Affairs for their continuing support of the largest capital campaign in Cooper-Hewitt’s history as well as their commitment to safeguarding this national treasure,” said Caroline Baumann, director of Cooper-Hewitt. “We are proud stewards of the Andrew Carnegie mansion, an iconic New York City landmark, and its preservation is one of the driving forces behind this expansion. This grant makes the past and future of design more accessible and impactful to the public.”
Cooper-Hewitt’s renovation is part of an $89 million capital campaign launched in 2006, which includes a $79 million renovation and a $10 million endowment. The expansion includes enlarged and enhanced facilities for exhibitions, collections display, education programming and the National Design Library, and an increased endowment. To date the museum has raised $73.4 million against the $79 million renovation goal, which includes $14.3 million from New York City, and $7.3 million toward the $10 million endowment goal. The scope of the renovation grew as a result of the museum’s desire to increase visitor interactivity and accessibility. The expanded scope, an increase of $25 million, brought the overall cost from $54 million to $79 million. To date the museum has raised 91 percent of its goal.
The museum is working with a team of designers to realize the new Cooper-Hewitt. Design stories will come alive in the exciting new galleries that are being reimagined by Diller Scofidio + Renfro—winners of the 2005 National Design Award for architecture. Local Projects, participatory media designers and 2013 National Design Award winner for interaction design, are developing engaging ways for visitors to become designers. Cooper-Hewitt’s ambition to increase accessibility extends to the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden, which is being designed by Walter Hood, the 2009 National Design Award winner for Landscape Architecture. A new graphic identity for the museum is being designed by Pentagram. Thinc Design is realizing the new temporary exhibition space on the third floor.
The overall expansion is a collaboration between design architect Gluckman Mayner Architects and executive architect Beyer Blinder Belle. The program of historic preservation, working within preservation parameters established by Beyer Blinder Belle, will aim for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
The first phase of the expansion involved renovating the museum’s East 90th Street townhouses in order to move the National Design Library and administrative functions from the Carnegie Mansion to the townhouses, enabling the creation of 60 percent more exhibition gallery space within the museum. The renovation of the townhouses was completed in September 2011. The second phase of the renovation, which involves mansion restoration and the creation of a new 7,000-square-foot gallery, is nearly 70 percent complete.
new gallery
new textiles
During the mansion renovation, Cooper-Hewitt’s usual schedule of exhibitions, education programs and events are being staged at various off-site locations, including the Cooper-Hewitt Design Center in Harlem, which has serviced more than 19,000 people since its opening in May 2012. Sold- out programs cater to a broad audience, providing immersive experiences for pre-schoolers and adults. The museum’s “Design in the Classroom” program, which teaches 21st-century skills by using design as a tool across the curriculum, has served more than 36,000 New York City K–12 public school children during the past two years.
[ About the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum ]
Founded in 1897, Cooper-Hewitt is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. The museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design through educational programs, exhibitions and publications. International in scope and possessing one of the most diverse and comprehensive collections of design works in existence, the museum’s rich holdings range from Egypt’s Late Period/New Kingdom (1100 B.C.) to the present day and total more than 217,000 objects.
The museum has more than 70 full-time staff members, including curators, conservators and design education specialists, and the fiscal year 2013 operating budget is $16 million. The museum is 70 percent funded by earned and contributed income, the remainder coming from federal appropriations.
Hirshhorn museum moves into next design phase for inflatable pavillion.
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temporary inflatable pavilion. courtesy of dill scofidio + renfro. proposed for the smithsonian’s hirshhorn museum of sculpture garden
Blow-up museum the new pop-up museum. The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden received supportive comments from the National Capital Planning Commission for a proposed seasonal inflatable pavilion to the museum’s plaza. Architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s design for the structure was reviewed at the concept stage. The NCPC voted to approve executive director Marcel C. Acosta’s recommendation of the project. To date, the Hirshhorn Museum has received encouragement to proceed with the development of this project by both the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the NCPC.
In a written recommendation, Acosta states, “…the semi-annual transformation of the museum’s central courtyard will create an exciting and unanticipated attraction along the National Mall…” The Commission recommends that the Hirshhorn continue to develop designs for two versions of the inflatable pavilion prior to making a determination on a final design. The temporary inflatable pavilion will be a site for new educational initiatives, as well as a place for collaborations between the Hirshhorn and other national, regional, and local institutions. With an expanded auditorium, the temporary pavilion will serve as the hub for a new series of conferences exploring important cross-disciplinary issues in media, technology and contemporary culture. Standing nearly 122 feet tall, the inflatable structure will sit in the Hirshhorn’s courtyard, ballooning through the top of the building. It will be appropriately visible from all sides of the museum and at points along the Mall. Extending from the lobby and featuring the auditorium, meeting places and a café, the pavilion will transform the Plaza into a vibrant public space. New York City-based architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro was contracted in September 2009 to start working on the concept of the temporary inflatable pavilion. Initial construction of the pavilion has been estimated at $5 million, with an additional endowment of $2.5- $5 million for continuing installation, storage, and programmatic research costs. DSR’s recent projects include the redesign of Alice Tully Hall at New York’s Lincoln Center, Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), and New York’s High Line.
[ diller scofidio + renfro ] [ hirshhorn museum ] [ art knowledge news ]
The highline new york city. An aerial greenway.
The High Line is a 1-mile (1.6 km) New York City linear park built on a 1.45-mile (2.33 km) section of the former elevated freight railroad spur called the West Side Line, which runs along the lower west side of Manhattan; it has been redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway. Phase 1 was opened in 2009, phase 2 in 2011, phase 3 most likely 2013.
Visiting the new phase 2 on Friday following Thanksgiving and with 64-degree weather it was wall-to-wall on the Highline and not many were thinking about holiday shopping just yet.
Above photo taken prior to development. Much of the naturalized plantings are inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew on the disused tracks.
Pebble-dash concrete walkways unify the trail, which swells and constricts, swinging from side to side, and divides into concrete tines that meld the hardscape with the planting embedded in railroad gravel mulch.
The project was designed by [ James Corner Field Operations ] and [ Diller Scofidio + Renfro ] and construction on phase 1 of the park cost around $172 million public dollars to build. This investment into the community has resulted in more than 30 different projects being proposed or constructed.
[ the highline ] [ the highline wiki ]
thomas balsley associates wins with waterfront design.
Landscape architect Tom Balsley, founding principal of Thomas Balsley Associates (TBA), was honored with an award from the Waterfront Center on Friday afternoon. The award recognizes achievement in waterfront parks design, and was given in honor of Balsley’s new Riverside Park South on Manhattan’s historic Hudson shoreline.
left>before | after >click to enlarge
how to be rid of an ugly, noisy, smelly freeway that runs alongside the waterfront? how about bury and place a park over it? hello!
The prize announcement was the second piece of good news for TBA last week, coming just days after Balsley received word that his firm has also been included on a shortlist – along with major international practices like OMA, Zaha Hadid Architects, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro – for the redesign of the public spaces on Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Riverside Park South, which extends a full thirteen-blocks from 59th St. to 72nd, is the final link in a continuous recreational corridor from Battery Park to Harlem. Incorporating walkways, bike lanes, lush lawns, and Balsley’s signature public furniture, the park also preserves still-standing relics of the former industrial waterfront, turning old gantry towers and piers into dramatic sculptural landmarks. Still more exciting is that, when complete, Riverside Park South will run directly over the West Side Highway, whose elevated roadbed will be dismantled in favor of a tunneled route covered by uninterrupted green space, all of it design by Thomas Balsley Associates.
Balsley, who was also honored at the 30th anniversary Waterfront Center Conference for his Top Honor-winning Gantry Plaza State Park of 1999, accepted the award on behalf of his clients and collaborators, including the Riverside South Planning Corporation, Extell Development Company, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
[ about thomas balsley associates ]
For over 35 years, Thomas Balsley Associates has reshaped urban space around the world by designing landscapes that teem with public life. Thomas Balsley Associates projects’ range from feasibility studies to built urban parks, waterfronts, commercial, residential, and recreational landscapes. Scales of work range from master plans to small urban spaces and urban furniture. Central to the firm’s design approach is Thomas Balsley’s belief that “public open spaces are the great democratic spaces, the ultimate common ground.” In New York City alone, the firm has designed more than 100 public parks and plazas including Chelsea Waterside Park and Riverside Park South. Projects outside New York include Hunters Point Shipyard/Candlestick in San Francisco, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa, Skyline Park in Denver, West Shore Park in Baltimore, the World Trade Center Plaza in Osaka, Japan and the Magok Waterfront in South Korea. [ thomas balsley associates (tba) ]
[ about the waterfront center awards ]
The Waterfront Center, a leading advocate for the preservation and enhancement of America’s waterways, gives its annual Honor Awards to outstanding projects that demonstrate a commitment to the Center’s core principals: quality in design, contribution to civic life, and sensitivity to water itself as a precious natural resource.