The AIA Convention and Public Architects’ presentations are in New York City in just one month (June 2018). As we prepare for fun, learning and an intense architectural experience here are recommended public architecture highlights to see during breaks or before/after the convention. .
- Walking tour of Manhattan
Manhattan is bustling with construction. Hudson Yards is one of the largest sites currently under construction. When it is finished it will contain 16 skyscrapers containing more than 12,700,000 sf. Other highlights include the Highline (a great public connector space), a new residential unit by Zaha Hadid along the Highline, and West 57th Residential by BIG. Plan your walk to the convention sites or dinner to pass some of these projects. If you know a planner ask to see their American Planning Association magazine which has a pull out section for a walking tour of New York.
- Classic Harbor Architectural Tour
I took this cruise two weeks ago. A wonderful opportunity to see many of the great architectural sites from the ease of a luxury historic cruiser. You can’t beat the photographs over the water. Plus the narration by local architects/historians was highly informative (ours knew the answer to all the guest questions). Tours can be bought with your AIA Convention registration and include CEU HSW credits or call Classic Harbor Tours directly. A wonderful value.
- Flushing World’s Fair Site
Ever wonder what happens to World’s Fair Sites after the world’s fair hubbub is over? Take the 7 line to see the Flushing World’s Fair site with original architecture including the New York Pavilion by Phillip Johnson and Unisphere as well as a scale model of New York City, the World’s Fair site and various World’s Fair memorabilia in the Queens Museum. The Queens Museum was also the first home of the United Nations. This adventure is great for a warm afternoon. The subway ticket is $2.75 each way. The Queens Museum tickets are very inexpensive ($8 per person/$4 per senior). The Queens Museum cafe has good food and beer that can be enjoyed in the park setting. There are also bikes to rent to ride around the park.
- Roosevelt Memorial
On your way to or from the Flushing World’s Fair site stop by Roosevelt Island to see the Four Freedoms Park and Cornell Tech satellite campus. The park was designed by Louis Kahn and has been diligently created almost 40 years after his passing. The Cornell campus features net-zero buildings by Thom Mayne and Morphosis in a walkable campus. You can get to the island either by subway or an overhead tram and the walk to the memorial is only 15 minutes including the walk through the Cornell campus.
- AIA Headquarters
I always enjoy a stop by AIA New York City. Their current exhibit is the 2018 Design Awards. Their CEU offerings are always top-notch. If one of your tours starts or ends there you can see their exhibit as part of your tour. If not, you may want to stop by anyway. They have great offerings and a cookie-dough store next door.
- City Hall and City Hall Park
Every public architect should make a trek though the City Hall Park area. City Hall was designed by Joseph-Francois Managuan and John McComb. The cluster of city buildings and park are very interesting.
- World Trade Center
Everyone has to see Calatrava’s subway station/shopping mall at the World Trade Center. This building helps highlight the importance of design in the public realm. After all this subway stop could have been sufficed functionally with a much less expensive project, but the feeling invoked by the Calatrava solution brings about a sense of civic pride and resilience - well worth the investment. The federal government is now a major tenant in the World Trade Center buildings including Customs and Border Protection in xxx. A great stop for all public architects.
- Battery Park and Skyscraper Museum
This is a small museum located at 39 Battery Place. I enjoyed the history of the New York City high-rises in one easy location. The cost is $5. When you finish you can venture through Battery Park. When you go through the park think about how sea-level rise will impact the area and then check out the plans New York City has for the area.
- Museum exhibits
Be sure to check out the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Guggenheim, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. They often have architecturally related exhibits. Whichever museum you visit you will come out very satisfied.
My apologies. As you traverse New York City you will see a great many buildings and places I have left out. Please let your friends and colleagues know all the treasures you find.
I hope everyone has a good time in New York. I'll see everyone there.
Paula Loomis, PhD, FAIA, FSAME, LEED BD&C is the 2006 past chair of the Public Architects Advisory Group and has over 37 years in federal service with the US Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Navy and General Services Administration. She currently serves as Executive Director for Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center at the US Coast Guard. Paula was the Sustainability Program Manager for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), providing sustainability policy, technical assistance and training to USACE engineering and construction worldwide. She was the Command Architect for Air Combat Command and Deputy in the Air Force’s Base Transition Office for BRAC 2005. In the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Colonel Loomis was the Senior Reservist at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment in San Antonio, Texas. In the private sector, she started the EDAW Virginia Beach office, taught architecture at Hampton University and research in the built environment at Stevens Institute of Technology. In addition to AIA, she is a Life Member of the Society of American Military Engineers and serves on their National Board. She served on the selection committee for the AIA College of Fellows from 2008-2011, the AIA National Board and Strategic Council.