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The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Volume 42, Number 5 February,198l

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Eclectic Solutiow Collage about St. Bartholomeut's, Tim Prentice, Jr. frorn the ethibition at the Municipal Arts Society. page2 Oculus

OCULUS Chapter Notes N.B.

Volume 42, Number 5 February 1981 George Lewis

Editor: Andrew P. MacNair New Headquarters Dear Architect: Managing Editor: Alexandra S. Morphett A preliminary design by Voorsanger Calendar: William Eitner & Mills, Architects for the Chapter This is your newsletter. Your work and headquarters space was approved by ideas are the fuel necessary for making The New York Chapter of the American Executive Committee on January Oculus timely, newsworthy and effec- Institute of Architects the the your The Urban Center,457 Madison Avenue, 8.Its principal aim is to make tive.It is not only bulletin board New York, New York rcA22 Chapter Headquarters truly a center listing monthly events but also the for New York architects where primary channel speaking out to the George S. Lewis, Erecutiue Director members could meet informallY, New York architecture community at where books and magazines would be large. Executive Committee 1980-81 easily available, and which would be of John Belle, Presid,ent such quality as to be worthy of our Recently, Ocuhts has been directed Joseph Wasserman, Firs t Vi,ce President splendid location. towards four audiences: the members of Tician Papachristou, Vice Presid,ent the New York Chapter, the young archi- Robert Siegel, Vice President Alan Schwartzman, Secretary Scholarships tects working in the offices, the Ralph Steinglass, Treasurer The Schotarship Committee (John students studying in the local schools, William Ellis Hagmann, chairman) is organizing a and all those_'non-architects'-politi- Frank Eliseo program for awarding seholarships to cians, engineers, contractors, histori- Theodore Liebman architectural school students. Last ans, iournalists, photographers, etc., Frank Munzer year a special committee (David Todd, who are involved with determining the Lee H. Pomeroy chairman) established a Chapter policy future of the city. Bart Voorsanger and guidelines for administerinf the NYC/AIA Staff income from available funds, partieu- Oculus must be in the forefront. It must Cathanne Piesla Iarly the Ronald Allwork bequest of be informative, provocative and effect- Angel Betancourt $200,000. Deans and chairmen have ive in communicating the state of ar- Carol Jones been asked to submit the names of ap- ehitecture today. lVe urge you, there- Julie Lake plicants for financial assistance in the fore, to keep us informed. Send us your O 1980 The New York Chapter of the present spring term. information, press releases, letters, American Institute of Architects. drawings and photographs of your Committee on Fellows work, ideas and opinions about ar- The Committee is beginning its con- chitecture. sideration of members to be recommended in the late spring to the Exe- An oculus is a two way lens connecting cutive Committee for nomination by the light of the sky into a room and onto the Chapter for Institute Fellowship. the floor. It simultaneously connects It welcomes letters recommending in- man inside the room to the light of the dividuals who will have been AIA sky. This Oculus must become a two your members for 10 years prior to Novem- way source of light and needs ber 1, 1981. ideas about architecture to sharpen its Iens. The Institute may bestow a fellowship for achievement in architeeture on Andrew MacNair members who have notably contribut- ed to the advancement of the profession of architecture by recognizing outstanding accomplishments in one or more areas of design, seience of construction, literature, education, service to the profession, public service, historic preservation, research, urban design, government or industry, architectural praetice. Oculus page 3

Letters

Dear Editor: the IBM Building would become a the movement, and let's not curtail or dumb, bulky, badly proportioned mass. diminish growth. Daylight and bulk Is the unbridled criticism of the cur- This would be the real "monster" - not controls are not always the primary rent wave of new tall buildings as what is being built! I prefer skyscrap- issues in making significant architec- monstrous structures overly emo ers, not squatscrapers. Bravo Barnes! ture. tional and wrongly exaggerated? Just what is a "monster" building? Most of Many people misunderstand bulk con- And finally, zoning must separate the criticism is now directed to the trols. Downzoning, which is a popular building concerns from traffic prob- 56th Street ensemble of the IBM, ATT do-gooder symposium subject, from 18 lems. We are told that the City's infra- and Trump Tower Triad. Funk and to 15 F.A.R., on a 25,000 s.f. site, structure is crumbling beneath us. Wagnalls describes "monster" as results in a reduction of only 75,000 How can this be true when the Sub- "angthing hideous or abnortnalin s.f., or in a 40 percent tower, the equi way System is grossly underutilized? structure and appearance. " Well, ac- valent of seven floors. Most people will Sweeping away the sidewalk peddlers cording to the critics, the design qual- not noticeably perceive a seven story and cleaning out the double-parkers ity of this Triad is abnormally great. difference in a forty to fifty story will promote decongestion. Private The towers will indeed be tall, but so tower. And, the added population den- cars and Westway are a poor substi- will be their drama. Yet,I can't find sity of 3 F.A.R. in an office building on tute for a desirable, comfortable, ef- anything oppressively hideous in IBM a 25,000 s.f. plot is approximately 300 ficient and preferable mass transit or ATT. What is wrong with "a people based on one person per 200 system. Thomas Carlyle said "always showcase of superscale" in a city that usable s.f. in the tower. This 3 F.A.R. there is a black spot in our sunshine, prides itself as being culturally ecsta- is frequently the economic profit edge and it is, even as I have said, the tic about it's skyscrapers. The linger- essential to the developer in order to shadow of ourselves." ing fondness for the arehitecture guarantee financing and investment which gives New York City it's char- viability. To those advocates of little Der Scutt acter and spirit must not be dimin- buildings and vast open space, I say, ished. go back to Kansas.

Alarm has rung out denouncing the Significant architecture is concerned gargantuan scale of ATT. This pri- with provocative and pleasing shapes, mary characteristic being criticized is forms and the resulting textural sha- the best attribute about the building. dows. Space and manipulation of pro r.j It's giant scale will be a thundering cessional experience are the basis for surprise full of excitement. It's monu- people pleasure. People want to be mental splendor is the kind of rich ar- entertained and people like to watch chitectural experience this city needs and be watched in exciting environ- more of! The dense tower mass, which ments. will kiss and hug it's neighbor aeross Madison Avenue, will be perched on Our Hyatt Hotel, developed by Donald an undercarriage of unique form and J. Trump, is a block long extravaganza heroic space. The steel base, now com- providing an interior urban fantasy. pleted, does not suffocate the urban The Sungarden Room, water fountains, environment. Bravo Johnson and sculptured levels, and changing volu- Burgee! metric manipulations entertain the guest with excitement. The ATT Con- I have been walking around the ele- course, the IBM Botanical Garden and gantly shaped IBM Tower every day the Trump Tower Atrium will also en- as the steel was erected, and I am des- rich pedestrian experience. To elimin- perately trying to sense the redueed ate these public space amenities in the daylight that everyone says will re- currently proposed Mid-Town Zoning sult. So far,I can't pereeive a notice- revisions at this time in history would able difference in the street level be a tragic mistake. (The threat exists quality of daylight. and is being promulgated by numerous civic groups). After many years of ban- I shudder at the thought of what IBM al building by mercenary developers would look like under the existing as- devoid of aesthetic sensibility, New of-right zoning bulk limitations, or the York is again becoming a city of currently proposed zoning bulk revi- markedly superior architecture. Let's, sions. Under each of these guidelines, as architects, look for ways of boosting re ft page 4 Oculus

FEBRUARY 1981 MONDAY 2 TUESDAY 3 JOSEPH WOLF: NATURAL HISTORY BBEAKING GROUND: OPEN SPACE ARTIST TEMPORARY AND ACCIDENTAL ocuLUs A compendium of artworks by the ac- 40 photographs by Marvin E. Newman, claimed 19th century illustrator, considered journalistic photographer, with an the best of his time. Wolf was commis- accompanying text by Bredan Gill. sioned to work on a variety of publications Catalogue available. Oculus utelcomes informattonfor the calen- for scientists, including Charles Darwin. The Municipal Art Soceity, The Urban dnr oertainino to oublic eaents about archi- Museum of Natural History, C.P.W. at 79th Center, 457 Madison Avenue., 935-3960. teciure. It is d.ue 6y the Tth of the month for St., 873-1300. Opens Feb. I Through March 3, Opens Feb. 3 the following month's'tssue. Becau,se of the tirne lng b etut e en information re c eiu e d, ond, COUNTRY BILLBOARDS PATRICIA JOHANSON prtnted the fhwldetails of the eaents are "A Tribute to the Pioneering Spirit of Drawings and eeramic models for landscape Tikely to change. Itis recommended. there- America", by Les Levine. seulntures. fore, that eaents be checked utith the spon- Ronald Feldman Gallery, SS East 74th St., Rosi Esman Gallery,2g West 5?th St., s oring i,ns titution b efore attend,in g. 249-4050. Through Feb. 2 421-9490. Through Feb.28, Opens Feb. 3

CONTINUING EVENTS MONDAY 9 TUESDAY 10 THE SYMBOLIST AESTHETIC THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE STATE ROBEBT GEDDES LECTURES 90 works from the Museum's collection. UNIYERSITY OF NEW YORK AT PUR. "The Forests' Edge: Architecture and Museum of Modern Art,ll West 53rd St., CHASE LandscaDe". 956-6100. Through Mar. 10 Purchase student, Thomas McWilliam The Architectural League, The Urban organized this exhibition that presents the Center, 457 Madison Ave., 763-L722. CITY SEGIIENTS arehitectural concepts that underscore the 6:30 pm, Feb.10. Original contemporary architectural draw- organization of the campus. ings by 80 European, Canadian, Japanese Neuberger Museum, SUNY College at Pur- and American architects, each presenting a chase, 914-253-5087. Through Mar. 16. design scheme for a specific urban project. Opens Feb. 8 Some are praetical, while others are theoretical expressions of an ideal environment. Neuberger Museum, SUNY College and Purchase, 914-253-508?. Through Mar. 15

MONDAY 16 TUESDAY 17

EPHEMERAL IMAGES: RECENT CONCENTRATION: ALEXANDER AMEBICAN POSTEBS CALDEB A selection of posters, showing the diverse The Whitney Museum possesses the:nost ways in which American designers convey comprehensive collection of Calder. The ex- the visual messase demanded of their work. hibifion includes a number of his early Cooper-Hewitt Museum, 2 East 91st St., abstract wire sculptures, highlighted by 860-6868. Through Mar. 29 four recent acquisitions to the collection. Whitney Musetm, Madison Ave. at 75th 19 ABTISTS_EMERGENT AMEBICANS St., 5?0-3633. Through May 3, Opens Feb.17 1981 Exxon National Exhibition designed to aid and encourage promising American artists who have not received extensive national exposure, with guest curator Peter Frank. Quggenheim Museum, 1071Fifth Ave. at 89th St.,860-1300. Through April S MONDAY 23 TUESDAY 24 EISENSTAEDT: GERMANY DE'B SCUTT LECTURES Alfred Eisenstaedt's photographs of Ger- "Architecture for the Commercial Client". many in the 1920's and 30's and a contem- Mr. Scutt will discuss the Trump Tower, porary view in his latest images, taken in Continental Center in lower Manhattan, I"979 and tr 980. After an absence of 44 years, and the Chicago Board of Trade. Eisenstaedt has found, and confronted The Architectlre League, The Urban whatever similarities existed between past Center, 457 Madison Ave., 7 53-L722. and present. 6:30 pm, Feb.24. International Center for Photography, 1130 Fifth Ave. at 94th St., 860-1783. Through Mar.29

MONDAY 2 MARCH TUESDAY 3

PROFILES OF THE PAST: GEOLOGY OF BBEAKING GROUND: OPEN SPACES THBEE SOUTHWEST CANYONS TEMPORARY AND ACCIDENTAL A tour of Bryce, Zion and Grand canyons Photocraohs bv Marvin E. Newman with a through color panoramas.of the so-uthwest- text bf Biendah Gill on exhibition for the ern giants, supplemented by graphic first time. Municipal Arts Society, panels, photographs, maps and diagrams. The Urban Center,457 Madison Ave. Museum of Natuial History, C.P.W. at 79th 935-3960. Through Mar. 3 St.,873-1300. Through May 1 THE SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS Twenty years of prize-winners. The New York Historical Society 1?0 C.P.W. at77th St.,873-3400. Through May 15 Oculus page 5

WEDNESDAY 4 THURSDAY 5 FRIDAY 6

1981 BIENNTAL EXHIBITION LEON KRIER: ARCHITECTURAL DRAW. PAT STEIR An invitational survey of the recent INGS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF Paintings resembling frescoes. developments in American art, presenting THE EUROPEAN CITY Max Protetch Gallery, 37 West 57th St., painting, sculpture, photography, film and This exhibition focuses on the urban design 838-7436. Through Feb. 7 video eiecuted by approximately 120 artists. projects of the past ten years. Whitney Museum, Madison Ave. at75th Cataloeue available. LECTURE: UNEARTHING ANCIENT St., 570-3633. Through Apr. 5, Opens Feb.4 Max Piotetch Gallery, ST West s?th St., JERUSALEM 838-7436. Through Feb. 7 The first of four slide lectures in the series KENNETH IIALPERN LECTURES "Ancient Jerusalem Revisited", by Dr. "Urban Design: Midtown Manhattan". TWENTTETII.CENTUBY AMERICAN Yigal Shiloh, director, City of David Exca- Columbia Un-iversity, School of Architec- DESIGN vations. $5.00 per lecture, $3.00 members. ture, Wood Auditorium,ll6th St. and 50 objects from the permanent collection, The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Broadway, 580-8510. 6:00 pm, Feb. 4 inclutling furniture, ceramics, glass and 860-1888. Feb.8 metalwear dating from 1900 to the 1960's; The Brooklyn Museum, Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 638-5000. Through Feb. 8 WEDNESDAY 11 THUBSDAY 12 FRIDAY 13 INTERIOB DESIGN: THE NEW FREEDOM CHABTES MOORE: DRAWINGS EVA RUBENSTEIN A series of eight interviews with designers, Moore's drawing for his recent project,'Ihe Photographs of Interiors, Exteriors, and including Ward Bennett, Joe D'Urso, New Church Building for the Parish of St. nudes. Emilio Ambasz, Mario Buatta, Robert Mathew, Pacific Palisades, Ca. Marjorie Neikrug Gallery, 224 East 68th Stern, among others. Moderated by Bar- Max Protetch Gallery,37 West 57th St., 5t.,228-7741. Through Feb. 14 baralee Diamondstein, the eonversations 838-7436. Through Mar.7 Opens Feb.12 will be videotaped. Registration is now in LECTURE: THE CITY OF THE KINGS progress. Eight sessioins, $40.00. For infor- LECTURE: GRAND PALACES OF THE The second slide lecture in the series "An- mation call741-8900. Series begins Feb. 11 GRAND CANAL cient Jerusalem Revisited", by Dr. Yigal Inge Jackson Reist lectures from the series Shiloh, Director, City of David Excava- MABSTON FITCH LECTURES per JAMES "Venice: Myth and Art". tions. $5.00 -Museum,lecture, S3.00 members. "Oscar Wilde, Aubrey Beardsley, Proust: The Frick Collection, One East 70th St., The Jewish 1109 Fifth Ave., Godfathers of the Post Modern Aesthetic". 288-0700.3:00 pm. Feb. 12 and 4:00 Feb.14 860-1888. Feb. 15 Columbia University, School of Architec- ture, Wood Auditorium,ll6th St. and Broadway, 580-3510. 6:00 pm, Feb. 11 WEDNESDAY 18 THURSDAY 19 FRIDAY 20 NEW YOBK: BUILDING AGAIN NEXT TO NATURE LECTURE: RETURN FROM EXILE Arthur Drexler moderates a symposium of Landscape paintings from the National The third slide lecture in the series "An- architects as an assessment of current eons- Academy of Design. 80 artists are repre- cient Jerusalem Revisited", by Dr. Yigal truqtion; Eli Attia, Edward Barnes, Raul de sented from the late l9th-century, inelud- Shiloh, Director, City of David Excava- Armas, Philip Johnson,I.M. Pei, Cesar Pelli, ing Durand, Bierstadt, Church. tions. $5.00 per lecture, $3.00 members. Der Scutt, and Franz Schulze (critic). NationalAcademy of Design, 1083 Fifth The Jewish Museum, U09 Fifth Ave., The Museum of Modern Art, Auditorium, Ave.,369-4880. Through Feb. 22 860-1888. Feb.22 11 West SSrd St. For information call 956-6112. $5.00, $4.00 members, $2.50 students.8:00 pm. Feb. 18

GORDON DAVIS TECTURES Columbia University, School of Architec- ture, Wood Auditorium,ll6th St. and Broadway, 580-3510. 6:00 pm, Feb. 18

WEDNESDAY 25 THURSDAY 26 FBIDAY 27 ARCHITECTURE: SEQUENCES NEW YORK NOW: PHOTOGRAPHS BY INTERIORS Bernard Tschumi has curated this exhibition PHILIP TRAGER Historical works on interior design and fur- that presents the work of five young ar- 50 black and white photographs of Manhat- nishings, from the library's collection. ehitects. Each shows original interpreta- tan architecture. A book of Mr. Trager's The New York Public Library, Fifth Ave. tions of architectural sequences in the form work, with a forward by Louis Auchincloss, and 42nd St., 790-6551. Through Feb.28 of drawings, etchings, photographs, is available at the Museum. models, and books. Museum of the City of New York, Fifth LECTURE: JERUSALEM AT ITS APOGEE: Artists Spaee, 105 Hudson St.,226-3970. Ave. at 103rd St., 534-1672. Through Mar. 1 THE BOMAN PERIOD Through Feb. 28 The last slide lecture in the series "Ancient ROI,IE SWEET BOIID Jerusalem Revisited", by Dr. Yigal Shiloh, An architectural portrayal in 17th to 20th Director, City of David Excavations. $5.00 centurv orints. per lecture, $3.00 members. Spaced dallery, 165 West 72nd St., The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., 787-6350. Through Feb. 28 860-1888. Mar. 1

WEDNESDAY 4 THURSDAY 5 FRIDAY 6 MANUEL ALVAREZ BRAVO: LEWIS BALTZz PARK CITY PHOTOGRAPHS 100 gelatin silver prints documenting the This body of work spans several decades of construction of a ski resort. the master Mexican photographer's career. Castelli Graphics, 3 East 77th St., 288-3202. His photographs capture the essence of the Through Mar.7 lan{ its people, culture and Xtianllndian mythology. WRIGHT MORRIS: PHOTOGBAPHS The Witkin Gallery, 41 East 57th St., An exhibition of photographs by Mr. Mor- 355-1461. Through Mar. 7 ris, distinguished writer and critic, who began in 1939 to create his now famous phototexts. These innovative, now classic volumes earned him three Guggenheim Fellowships. The Witkin Gallery,4l East 57th St., 355-1461. Through Mar. 7 page 6 Oculus

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St. Bartholorrtew's Church, Bertram Goodhue Ar- chitect. Photograph by Steoe Zone. In June, 1914, the Vestry of Saint Bar- bolder sense of scale, a wider palette An urban church meshed with a sky- tholomew's Church commissioned Ber- of materials, and a greater feel for scraper used to be an image that stir- tram Goodhue to design a new church vast, austere surfaces. At its heart, he red the imagination and perhaps it still on Park Avenue between 50th and created a coloristic crossing ceiling, is.In any case, a tower next to Saint 51st Streets. The railroad tracks the first of a series that led to the ma- Bartholomew's ought not to be dis- under Park Avenue had just been jestic polychromed rotunda domes missed as incompatible. The General covered over, transforming the street which appear in his secular commis- Electric Building sits gracefully into a desirable location for the first sions from 1919 onward. behind the church, as one obvious time. precedent. The sleek John Hancock Now, Saint Bartholomew's is faced Building in Boston sits very well next The Vestry instructed Goodhue to with financial problems which affect to Trinity Church. If a tower is to be develop a site plan which would pro- its future and which much be resolved. built, what is needed is a strong ar- vide for an income-producing office or Amidst all the talk of a new office chitectural image - and a talented ar- apartmont tower on the north side of tower on the property, two facts chitect. the property. When Goodhue made his should be recalled: one, a tower was formal presentation in January, 1916, part of the Vestry's plans from the Saint Bartholomew's is an important The Neut York Times reported that very beginning;and two, Goodhue's American building, designed by a the model showed an apartment tower architectural image of the church as it great and talented architect hired by a with 75' of frontage along Park is- without the tower- persuaded the Vestry with vision. Any addition re- Avenue at 51st Street, set back 32' Vestry to abandon income-producing quires the same commitment of ar- from the street to allow the church to development at a time of high inflation chitect and Vestry. It seems rather be seen from both directions. The and spiraling construction costs. That easy to find an anonymous corporation church itself was placed in the middle image of the church as a low group of prepared to spend $100,000,000, but of the block, and had no window in the buildings and gardens is still valid and where will the Vestry find another north transept since that was in effect compelling. The Vestry found a way to Goodhue? a party-wall. Goodhue was able later pay for it once, and it would be an ex- to convince the Vestry to eliminate the citing exercise in urban design policy Richard Oliver tower and move the church to its pre- linked to imaginative financing to find sent ensemble of low forms and a way to pay for it once again. Mr. Oliuer u)as inuited bE Oculus to gardens dominated by the Church. utrtte about St. Barthol,orneus's Churclu Saint Bartholomew's is perhaps the he uson a Brunner Scholnrship in 1977 The completion of Saint Bar- last large free-standing church to be for a study of Bertram Goodhue. tholomew's in 1919 probably was not a built in midtown Manhattan. After completely satisfying moment for 1920, many churches were built in the This is an indiaidual statement by Mr. Goodhue. So many important details base of larger income-producing Oliuer and does not represent the remained unfinished like the tiled buildings. Goodhue himself designed opinion of the NYC/AIA. dome and parish house which were ad- the most audacious of these in 1921 ded in 1930 to the designs of the Ber- - an 80-story tower for Madison tram Grosvenor Goodhue Associates Square which remained unbuilt- (Goodhue had died in 19241. Neverthe- which featured a large sanctuary at less, the design holds an important and the base of what would have been the honorable place in his career. For the tallest building in the world at that church, he began to develop a much time. Oculus pageT

UNTTED NATIONS QUtrSTIONABLE, FUTURES -=5.1

George Lewis presented the follnwing F o statement at ameeting of the CitE E Planning Commission heartng on tr Eric Goshow January 21, 1981.

History: In 1978 Helmsley-Spear, City Planning Commission Hearing tariat would be diminished; it would owner of the Tudor City Tower, pre- January 21, 1981 become just another mid-town build- pared plans to build high-rise residen- ing. The Roche-Dinkeloo United Na- tial towers on these parks which are In the first place, to build on the Tudor tions Plaza building does not do this: it zoned R-10. Local residents were City parks or to build on the play- is further away and across First startled by this notion, since the ground-in either case the outcome Avenue, part of the closely-packed original towers depended solely upon will be bad for New York. There is buildings of mid-town. the two parks for light and air. This nothing about the choice which should was due to the fact that in the 1920's please anyone. TheChapter would like to offer a way when the buildirlgs were constructed, out of this. We believe a building can stockyards were located where the It becomes all the more frustrating be placed on the playground site which United Nations now resides. The when one learns that Tudor City right would not do damage to the UN. developer, Fred F. French, oriented now, parks and all, exceeds R10 densi- the buildings westward, toward the ty, so that anyone concerned with Apparently a major factor in the deci- open parks without providing win- orderly, equitable development can sion to propose a tower covering only dows facing east over the odious only view the added mass of R10 con- the northern half of the 41st-42nd stockyards. struction with which we are con- Street block has been an effort to pre- fronted as representing a perversion serve as much of the former In May of 1980 the Department of of the intent of the Zoning Resolution. playground as possible. We do not Buildings issued permits for eonstruc- think this should be assigned so much tion in the parks, which were subse- But apparently it is legal, and we have weight in determining the new quently barricaded. Battle lines had to make a choice. The Chapter building's ground coverage. Balanced been drawn by Tudor City residents, swallows hard and opts for the play- against preserving the UN's unique Community Board 6, the Parks Coun- ground.It would be too painful to freedom from the built-up city proper, cil, and many others opposing the destroy the symmetrical parks above, a playground 100 feet by 130 or so developer's plans. Helmsley-Spear which in terms of enlightened urban hardly seems of crucial importance. agreed to postpone construction pend- planning in their relation to the build- the owner's proposed commitment of ing a compromise solution which the ings which surround them, and are so funds for maintenanee would go much city and the developer would try to dependent on them, are one of the joys further if directed toward a reaeh. In September 1980, an agree- of New York. As urban space they playground located elsewhere in the ment was reached: Helmsley-Spear compare with the plaza at Roekefeller city. would build on what is now a publicly- Center; as a quiet, gleen refuge, pre- owned park loeated on the block east cious few other retreats so close to Relieved of the necessity for leaving of First Avenue, south of 42nd Street. midtown are available for comparison. the southern half of the blockfront This land contains active recreational open, a building could be designed half playground uses, such as a roller So we turn to the playground and the height of what is now proposed, hockey rink, softball field, etc. Part of what is proposea for it, and this ean be bulkier and more anonymous, which this block contains a ventilation tower discussed only in terms of what would would not detract from the UN. for the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, the be the effect of a new building there on rest of the block is playground space. the United Nations. There would be other advantages too. The occupants of a building on this site Deaelopment Proposol' The agree- The presence of the UN in New York is would be relatively isolated from the ment between the Developer and the a priceless asset. The building group- shops and street life on the other side City, in principal, is to "demap" public Secretariat, General Assembly, Con- of the wall of Tudor City. Utilization of park usage to permit private develop- ference Building-in which it is the full block would open up many pos- ment in exchange for deeding to the housed forms a sculptural entity sym- sibilities for active retail uses and not City as public parks the Tudor City bolic of the UN as world capitol. The only would benefit those living and private parks. Helmsley-Spear would buildings ride free from the dense city working in the building itself but, fur- rebuild the active playground area grid. They can be seen in the round, as ther, would add to the ambiance of the around the new building, although less a whole. The Secretariat slab, des- UN itself.It could be a very inter- area and recreational facilities would cribed from the beginning as a "Work- esting building. be provided. shop for Peace," is especially elegant when seen standing free. To place a We support the exchange of parks pro routine commercial-residential tower vided there is a building solution such nearly as tall as the Secretariat's 591 as we have suggested. feet so elose to it- only 225-odd feet to the south-would turn the UN into a George Lewis complex with two towers. The Secre- page 8 Oculus

ARNOLD W. BRUNNER $1O,OOO GRANT 1981 The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects invites Arehitects, or those in related fields, to submit a study in some special field of architectural investigation whieh will effectiv- ely contribute to the praetice, teaching, or knowledge of the art and scienee of architecture. Jury Nancy A. Miao, Architect Chairperson Twitchell & Miao Diana Agrest, Architect Agrest & Gandelsonas Samuel Brody, Architect Davis Brody & Associates Pereival Goodman, Architect Charles Gwathmey, Architect Gwathmey & Siegel Ada Karmi-Melamede, Architect Columbia University Peter Kastl, Architect The Ehrenkrantz Group Theodore Liebman, Architect Liebman Williams Ellis Arthur Rosenblatt, Architect Metropolitan Museum of Art William C. Shopsin, Architect Suzanne Stephens, Editor Progressive Architecture Michael Wurmfeld, Architect Wurmfeld Associates, PC Applications from Chapter to March 1, 1981. Proposals may be submitted to April 1, 1981. Awards announced Summer, 1981. Eligibility: open to any United States citizen engaged in the profession of Architeeture and its related fields who has a profes- sional background more advanced than is implied by four or five years of architect training.

New York Chapter The American Institute of Architects The Urban Center 457 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 2t2 838 9670