Field Trip Friday: Ralph Walker Exhibition

May 4, 2012 Field Trip Friday , ,

This week, volunteer council members Connie Finstad and Joseph Giargiana are our guest bloggers who have written about their visit to the Ralph Walker: Architect of the Century exhibition. Ralph Walker, called “the only other honest architect in America” by Frank Lloyd Wright, was one of the most influential minds to shape New York’s skyline, producing most of his work during the first half of the twentieth century. His most notable buildings include the Irving Trust Building (construction 1928-1931) at One Wall Street and the Barclay-Vesey Telephone Building, now known as the Verizon Building. The exhibit, open through mid-May by appointment only, celebrates and explores the life of this legendary American art deco architect and his influential works, which subtly surround us and which we pass every day. Read about Joe and Connie’s experience below.

I had passed the building so many times before and certainly had photographed the entrance a number of times. Last summer, my best friend, visiting with his son, stopped me in front of 212 West 18th Street and asked, “what is this building?” I had to answer honestly, and say I just didn’t know.

Here was our conversation:

“I think it used to be a telephone building, but I don’t know what is it now.”

“This was a utility building? No, it’s too elegant for that.”

“No, I’m sure it was, see the subtle signage?”

“What are they doing with it, what’s all this scaffolding for?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure we’ll find out.”

His son photographed the elaborately designed grill and glass work above the entrance, and we moved on.

It’s those details we pass, every day, that make me stop and appreciate the inherent design, architecture and history of this city. Needless to say, living here, I feel blessed and inspired every day.

Walker's words brought to you by TriBeCa signage shop Let There Be Neon

Last weekend I entered the construction site with a colleague to visit the first ever exhibit to explore the life and work of Ralph Thomas Walker (1889 – 1973), the great and influential architect to shape New York’s skyline during the “roaring twenties” through iconic skyscrapers with asymmetrical setbacks and art deco ornament.

“Ralph Walker?” I thought. I’ve never heard of him.

Preliminary drawing of the Barclay-Vesey Telephone Building at 212 West 18th Street (late 1920’s).

The New York Telephone Building (constructed 1929 – 1931) at 212 West 18th Street is being restored, modernized and transformed into a collection of 53 expansive residences and renamed “Walker Tower” (floors 8 to 23).  Verizon owns the lower floors.  His passion for elegant detail separated his designs and ornate details from other applicants of proposed civic architecture.

Building at completion (1931) shows the lack of a full-height spire.

Walker’s architectural style is best known as “humanism,” the attempt to design buildings less industrial and more warm and appealing to the eye.  In the exhibit we saw a number of examples of the buildings he designed and proposed, as well as photographs of his breath-taking interiors.  The docent, Marci, is pleasant, knowledgeable and informative, and answered most of our questions before we even asked.

Walker Tower is being developed by JDS Development Group and Property Markets Group.  Their intention is to complete Walker’s original design, which had been compromised due to budget restraints when first constructed.  An architectural model of the project is also in the exhibit.  CORE reality at 127 Seventh Avenue and 18th Street has the exclusive offering agreement and will launch sales in the building during 2012.

The Barclay-Vesey Telephone Building (constructed 1922 – 1926) at 140 West Street is his masterpiece. The recently published, limited edition book by Kathryn R. Holliday is available at the exhibit.

 

Marci holds Holliday's limited edition book showing the magnificent golden interior in front of an image of the original Irving Trust Building at One Wall Street and Broadway.

 

The exhibit located on the ground floor at 212 West 18th Street is free and open to the public daily, by appointment only and should be available for viewing through mid-May. Call 212-335-1800 or email info@ralphwalkerexhibit.com to make an appointment or visit www.ralphwalkerexhibit.com for more information.

Ralph Walker: Architect of the Century
212 West 18th Street

 

Field Trip Friday: The Noguchi Museum/Civic Action

April 27, 2012 Field Trip Friday , , , ,

This past weekend, OHNY intern Kelly got a look at the end of the Civic Action exhibit at the Noguchi Museum. Civic Action: A Vision for Long Island City is a creative and visionary artistic and architectural response to the threats to the vital character of this Queens neighborhood, situated at the border of Long Island City and Astoria. Recently, the open spaces, artist studios, residences, and waterfront spaces have been encroached upon by large-scale building projects that have rejected zoning regulations. The Civic Action project, a collaboration between The Noguchi Museum and the Socrates Sculpture Park, invited four artists, Natalie Jeremijenko, Mary Miss, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and George Trakas and their teams to create environmental, housing, industry, and artistic solutions to preserving the livability and liveliness of Long Island City.

The Civic Action project just completed its initial phase in the Noguchi Museum, where the surprisingly realistic but radically visionary projects of the four artists above were able to pose their ideas for environmental and cultural change and community-preservation. An appropriate space for this exhibition, the Noguchi Museum is the first museum in America opened by a living artist to exhibit his or own work. Isamu Noguchi, Japanese American sculptor and landscape architect who was well known for his public works, maintained studios in both New York and Japan during his lifetime. His works are spaced out in peaceful, empty spaces in various industrial looking rooms. The most intriguing piece I found while exploring the many rooms and the garden was the 1979 basalt piece pictured above entitled “To Bring to Life”.

“A museum is, I suppose, a repository against time. Fragile objects need protection, but even without this need there is a semblance of eternity, a sense of permanence that is implied by a museum, and a removal from time’s passage. Is it the enclosure, roofed or unroofed, that creates this impression?”

–Isamu Noguchi

Entering each different room, I noticed that the stone cells in which the larger pieces reside on the ground floor each have a unique feel and resonate with a different energy, but each room also holds a sense of stillness and atemporality.

Above, this granite piece, “Vertical View” sits across from a piece originally designed to be a Memorial for the Dead of Hiroshima, which Noguchi was asked to build in 1952, in a room which complicates and enhances the feeling of being outside time that the rest of the museum embraces. The Memorial piece, which was never installed as a Memorial in Hiroshima, is shown below.

In the museums largest space, I came across this unique piece pictured below, one of only two I came across in the museum to involve water. “The Well: Variation on a Tskubai,” created in 1982 is made of basalt, and draws inspiration from the stone water basins provided for visitors’ purification entering Japanese Buddhist temples.

Upstairs, looking down onto the garden area, I found myself in a peaceful room with wooden floors, in which I found many of Noguchi’s smaller sculptures and pieces that interact with the boundaries of the room, such as this intriguing 1962 piece, entitled “Floor Frame,” which appears to have partially disappeared into the floorboards.

In addition to the works preserved in his museum, Noguchi’s belief in works of social significance lead him to produce large-scale public works all over the world that engage with the social atmosphere, political issues and time in which he created them, preserving these significant moments or social feelings in stone, or embodying and enabling a new moment in which to envision ourselves.

Isamu Noguchi’s active engagement in the social and cultural realm makes the Noguchi Museum the perfect setting for the first half of Civic Action. Above, inside the Museum’s classroom I came across an invitation to the public to participate in a re-envisioning of Long Island City by posting their ideas on a large map of the city on the wall.

While exploring the upstairs rooms, I got a glimpse of the artists’s contributions to the Civic Action project. In the image above, Mary Miss, whose work deals in the realms of sculpture, installation art, architecture and landscape design, has sketched an interactive, 3-dimensional room “Ravenswood/City as Living Laboratory” where visitors can see and read about ideas for the reversal of the destruction of the environment and culture of Ravenswood on the panels that extend from poles coming out of their respective places on the map under their feet.

Another of the four participating artists, Natalie Jeremijenko, really caught my eye with her work for Civic Action. Jeremijenko is an artist whose backgrounds in physics, biochemistry, neuroscience and engineering influence her work and made her a perfect fit for Civic Action. The image above, “X-ing Problem” is a visual representation of an issue she tackles in her work in the exhibit.

“Grid X-ing,” another image from Jeremijenko’s project study, brings in other interesting aspects of the issues of environmentalism and transportation, and exemplifies the complex and intersecting social, cultural, and environmental issues that all four of the interdisciplinary artists attacked with inspiration and innovation in the first half of Civic Action.

 

Civic Action: A Vision for Long Island City, just closed at The Noguchi Museum. The large-scale prototypes for aspects of the projects explored at The Noguchi Museum will be displayed from May 13th to August 5th at Socrates Sculpture park.


Many thanks to The Noguchi Museum and to the artists for the use of images from their project studies.

Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City

Field Trip Friday: Via Verde

April 20, 2012 Field Trip Friday , , ,

This week, OHNY intern Sarah was given a tour of Via Verde, a revolutionary housing project in the South Bronx designed by a partnership between two architectural firms: Dattner and Grimshaw. Dattner Architects is known for practical and efficient housing throughout New York City while Grimshaw is known internationally for high-end design. The two firms have worked together to create an eco-friendly and boldly designed project geared toward enhancing the neighborhood.

When approaching the intersection of Brook Avenue and Bergen Street in the South Bronx, it’s immediately clear that you’ve stumbled upon something special. On a thin and irregularly shaped block that was formerly a brownfield, the developers Phipps Houses and Jonathan Rose have created a revolution in affordable housing design: Via Verde (or “the Green Way”). Conceived by Grimshaw and Dattner Architects, the entire building will serve the neighborhood and the city as a model for energy-conscious design on a more affordable scale.

Typically green design has been reserved for luxury developments, but Via Verde aims to show that environmental design can help rejuvenate a neighborhood. Green roofs, photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection, and double paned windows are just some of the green features, and the project is designed to receive LEED Gold Certification. In addition to benefiting the environment, Via Verde hopes to bring life to the street. The ground-level spaces at the north end of the property are created for businesses, shops, and a clinic to serve the neighborhood. One of the terraced green roofs has space for personal vegetable gardens, which will help the future residents have home-grown vegetables in a neighborhood where fresh produce is not easily available. The building is not yet occupied, but most of the condominium units have been sold, and the rental spaces have all been filled. Via Verde will soon be bustling with life.

The building is massed in a way that allows it to take advantage of the southern sun. The largest amount of units (which are mostly for rental) are on the north side of the property, which then tapers down to lower-rise condominiums for purchase. On the terraced roof are a series of green spaces, most of which are open to the residents for relaxation and gardening. The closed roof spaces are topped with extensive green roofs and photovoltaic panels, angled directly toward the south which provides  a significant amount of sun exposure for the majority of the day.

When walking into the central courtyard, you’re greeted with a charming space and an oversized communal “stoop.” This large staircase provides a gathering place, as well as a way to walk up to the roof without taking the elevator. These stairs lead to a roof with pine trees, which then goes up to a second roof with planters, and then the third a vegetable garden roof. The path then curves around toward the bulk of the building, and terminates in a fourth roof with sedums (a typical extensive green roof) overlooked by the future fitness center. The pathway throughout the upper levels of Via Verde represents a push toward active design through NYC’s Fit City initiative–making physical activity desirable by not hiding stairs in dark, unsafe corridors.

The tower contains most of the smaller rental units, while the low rise areas are primarily for home ownership within the condo association. The rooftops shown here are inaccessible, but contain PV panels and extensive green roofs.

The courtyard provides additional green space, and a charming area to call home. The units overlooking the inner courtyard have balconies, and all windows have louver sunshades. These shades help block sun and reduce solar heat gain in the apartments, cutting down energy costs. Bricks were used for the lower floors due to their durability, and the upper facade is made out of wooden and aluminum panels.

Ground level town homes at the south side of the development have private backyards to provide the owners their own secluded green space.

When looking south, there is a view of the 2 and 5 elevated subway tracks and a school baseball field. The existence of this field meant that the architects didn’t have to worry about someone building on this site, so they were able to take advantage of the large amount of southern sun on the area. Since the building is located close to mass transit, the project further pushes for an environmental mindset.

View north from the southern tip of the inner courtyard. A dynamic scene pulls your eyes up through the development.

Looking out into the courtyard from a condominium unit. Pops of yellow and red panels with green grass make the space especially cheery. All windows in the building are double paned, and contain a low-e coating (which lets sunlight in, but reflects rays that cause the interior to heat up). The metal frames are also isolated from the outside by a non-conducting divider between the interior and exterior panes. This insulates the apartments–if the panes were solid metal, the cool inside temperature would immediately be conducted outside.

On the second level of green roofs, these lovely planters provide another burst of color. Birds were perched on the trees, which further shows that greenery on roofs is not only aesthetically and environmentally pleasing, but also revitalizes the ecology of an area.

After walking up from the second green roof, you reach the most stunning sight: the vegetable garden located at the most southern tip of the development.

Eventually these boxes will be divided up among the residents, but for now charming markers show what vegetables are being grown.

The entire project is certainly more pleasing than some of its looming neighbors. Via Verde shows that good design should not just be reserved for luxury apartments, but can make a profound impact on lower-income neighborhoods. This vibrant building is sure to be filled with an active community in the near future.

Via Verde
Brook Avenue and East 156th Street
South Bronx

Field Trip Friday: Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens

April 13, 2012 Field Trip Friday , , ,

Jailee, OHNY’s program coordinator, recently took a trip to upstate New York and decided to stop off in Purchase, NY, the home of the PepsiCo headquarters. The 168 acre site is home to the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens which features over 45 sculptures by the likes of Auguste Rodin, Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg and Isamu Noguchi.

How refreshing to co-mingle with art without having to fight the crowds! A short 45 minute drive from NYC leads  you to this wonderful sculpture park, which is completely free to visit. No long lines, no bumping into people – just a lot of open green space with sculptures beautifully scattered among the landscape. The photo above shows the company headquarters building with Alexander Calder’s Hats Off in the foreground.

The sculpture park was created when PepsiCo relocated from Manhattan to Purchase, NY in 1970. The headquarters building was designed by Edward Durell Stone and the original landscape design was by Durell’s son, E. D. Stone, Jr. However, the idea for the sculpture garden came from Donald M. Kendall, Pepsi-Co’s chief executive. He wanted to provide a beautiful outdoor space where art could be enjoyed by both employees and the general public.

A little note: While the focus of my photos and commentary about this site is on the sculptures (since I have a background in art) the building itself is interesting and beautiful. Check out this small post about it from our friends at Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture.

When we arrived at the entrance of the building and park, a guard greeted us with a smile, pointed us to the visitor parking and handed us a map of the grounds. Considering my visit was on a Monday morning, I was surprised to see a few other groups of visitors walking along the grounds admiring the works of art with us. Above is Jean Dubuffet’s Kiosque l’evide.

Having lived in Switzerland, I was delighted to see a pair of sculptures by the Swiss master sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Large Standing Woman II & Large Standing Woman III are actually placed right alongside the building but, I was able to maneuver my camera to make it look like they are standing among the trees surrounding them. These haunting, elongated figures follow Giacometti’s signature style.

Claes Oldenberg’s Large Trowel II

The image above shows how nicely sculpture and landscape interact. The sculpture collection began with only 8 sculptures and Kendall continued to add to the collection. In 1980, the British landscape architect, Russell Page, was brought in to extend the gardens and work on the permanent placement of the sculptures.

Barbara Hepworth’s The Family of Man

    

The day I visited it was a very windy day. When I drove up, I noticed this sculpture moving (George Rickey’s Double L Excentric Gyratory II). When I asked the guard about it, he said that this one was the only one that was supposed to move and if I saw any others moving that I should get out of the way!

If you are headed up state and have time to walk around the gardens, I highly recommend it. Before you go, read this New York Times article to get a better idea of how to get there and what else is in the area.

The gardens are open from 7am-7pm daily April-October and from 7am-5pm November-March.

Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens
700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577

Field Trip Friday: Atlanta, GA

April 6, 2012 Field Trip Friday , , , ,

Jessica, OHNY’s program manager, continues her exploration of the South with a visit to Atlanta, GA. The city is probably best known for being the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr., having the world’s busiest airport, hosting the 1996 summer Olympics, and is the headquarters for some major companies including Coca-Cola, The Home Depot and UPS.

Centennial Olympic Park

Before heading to Atlanta, I was told that the city is very car-centric and traffic can be a nightmare maneuvering in six-lane highways as well as the weather can be temperamental in the winter which is why it’s known as the “London of the South.”

We began our tour of the city by going to downtown Atlanta to meet with Amy Stinson, Marketing Communications Manager at Portman Holdings to get an inside look at AmericasMart. Normally closed to the general public, AmericasMart was designed by architect John C. Portman, Jr. and first opened in 1957. The Mart is made up of four buildings and is reputed to be the world’s largest permanent trade center for wholesale buying and selling. The buildings are interconnected through enclosed pedestrian bridges, which I imagine can be especially useful during extreme weather conditions.

Amy then took us over to the Hyatt Regency and the Marriott Marquis designed by architect John Portman. Both hotels feature soaring, dramatic atrium and signature glass elevators.

The Marriott Marquis was used as the office headquarters of the International Olympics Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games.

Our final stop was to the Westin Peachtree Plaza also designed by John Portman & Associates and up to the Sun Dial Restaurant Bar & View, which features a revolving restaurant and lounge and offers amazing views and a 360-degree panorama of the Atlanta city skyline.

The major highlight of my trip to Atlanta was the Georgia Aquarium! Situated just north of Centennial Olympic Park, it’s the world’s largest aquarium, and has an impressive collection of unique fish and animals including the Great Hammerhead and bottlenose dolphins.

We must have spent at least three hours exploring the various exhibits and petting the sting rays and star fish at the touch tank stations.

While in Atlanta, our home base was the Midtown neighborhood. After a very overly filling breakfast at the Flying Biscuit one morning, we walked over to Piedmont Park to get a better view of the Midtown skyline. The park serves as a terrific green space to have in the middle of a bustling town for recreational activities or just to have a picnic on a warm, sunny day.

On our last night, we dined at South City Kitchen in Midtown. Because it wouldn’t be right to leave Atlanta without sampling the shrimp and grits!

My thanks to Alex and Amy at Portman for the tour and all the great suggestions of what to see and do while in Atlanta!

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