Archtober (ärk’tōbər) is New York City’s Architecture and Design Month, the fourth annual month-long festival of architecture activities, programs and exhibitions taking place during the month of October.
Archtober presents special tours, lectures, films and exhibitions that focus on the importance of architecture and design in everyday life. The many participating organizations aim to raise awareness of the important role of design in our city and to build a lasting civic and international recognition of the richness of New York’s built environment.
The Archtober “Building of the Day” celebrates contemporary as well as iconic architecture in New York City with daily on site tours, led by the architect. This year’s “Building of the Day” sites will be announced daily throughout the month of August.
The first tour, taking place on October 1st, will be The Public Theater at Astor Place. The most recent phase of Ennead Architects’ ongoing renovation of The Public Theater, the façade restoration and entry/lobby redesign, celebrates an important New York City landmark and revitalizes the identity of the institution. Design goals for the project were to preserve the historic structure and façade and to enrich the theater experience with a dramatic new sequence of arrival, enlarged lobby and modern patron amenities. The design’s careful blend of modern and historic elements reflects the nature of the acclaimed theatrical work for which The Public Theater is renowned – both traditional and experimental. This revitalization continues the successful adaptive reuse of this important New York City landmark, making the building more welcoming, vibrant and accessible for all New Yorkers.
Other sites include:
250 Bowery: 250 Bowery is an eight-story building with 24 condominium units that include duplex penthouses, rooftop gardens, and ground-level retail space. The design was conceived of as a contemporary loft building with a façade of factory-sash, floor-to-ceiling windows framed with wide-flanged, powder-coated aluminum steel beams and columns. The sober façade stands in striking contrast to the hodgepodge mix of nineteenth-century tenements and commercial brick buildings that line the street. Mohammad Rajab is a project Director at MA, having joined the firm in 2005. He has worked on a wide variety of projects including The Wythe Hotel, Wilf Hall, and 11 North Moore. Born in Los Angeles CA, Rajab grew up in the Washington DC metropolitan area and holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
University Center, The New School: Located at the intersection of 14th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan, this new multipurpose facility is the “heart” of The New School. The LEED® Gold building provides space for all aspects of a traditional campus, with 200,000 square feet of academic space on the first seven floors and 150,000 square feet for a 600-bed dormitory on the levels above. Interactive spaces are dispersed vertically throughout the section to activate all levels of the building. Tying them together are three iconic stairs that weave their way through the building, providing ample opportunities for encounters. This structure creates hives of activity that are traced along the facade with large glass windows. In between these interactive zones are long, loft-style spaces that house 50,000 square feet of design studios, classrooms, and computing labs. The extensive academic program includes 19 fashion studios, 17 drawing studios, 12 classrooms, and seven science labs. Program adjacencies are intentionally planned to promote collaboration and spontaneous interactions within generous circulation and social spaces. The building also includes an 800-seat auditorium, a common central library, a large cafeteria, a 2,200-square-foot faculty resource room, 15 faculty offices, three student lounges, and a two-level lobby/café.
For a full list of events and activities, as well as a complete listing of all participating buildings, visit the Archtober website.