OCULUS JANUARY 1966 NEW YORK CHAPTER THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

CHAPTER AND CITY ON STATEN ISLAND: TWO ISSUES In a series of statements to the Consistent with its efforts to im­ the contemporary concepts of urban daily press and through its repre­ plement a major crash program planning." If anything, these hard­ sentatives appearing this past for the planning and development ships underlined the urgent need month before the Mayor, the City of Staten Island, the New York for such a crash program as advo­ Planning Commission, the City Chapter continued to press for a cated by the New York 'chapter. Council, the Board of Estimate and series of immediate emergency the State's Joint Legislative Com­ measures designed to protect prin­ Local Law 820 now pending in mittee on Housing and Urban De­ cipally the Island's open lands from the Council is a new attempt by the velopment, the New York Chapter premature programs such as the City to correct the inadvertent re­ AIA defined the position of its pro­ proposed Richmond Parkway and moval of the mapping requirement fessional membership on four vital from further abuses of speculative when the General City Law was issues currently confronting the developments. Specifically aimed at amended in 1963 at the urging of city. the latter was the Chapter's sup­ Staten Island home builders. Actu­ ally sought by the builders was the 1. In a letter to the New York port of a local law by the City Council to prohibit new construc­ elimination of the street improve­ Times, Chapter President Max Ur­ ment requirement for building per­ hahn continued to press for a mora­ tion on unmapped or unimproved streets. mits. The argument was that any torium on the sale of city-owned street improvement prior to build­ land in Staten Island and a one­ ing would be undone during the year crash program to develop a course of construction, thus doub­ comprehensive master plan by a BUILDING PERMITS ling the street improvement cost. Staten Island "Task Force" or "Authority" especially created for Testifying for the New York Chap­ In 1964 the city attempted to this purpose (OCULUS Novem­ ter at a special hearing of the Coun­ amend the General City Law to ber, 1965). cil's Building Committee last De­ restore the mapping requirement cember, Executive Director Charles as a pre-condition to the issuance 2. To implement this program, Thomsen urged the early enact­ further restriction of speculative of building permits. This bill ment of Local Law Int. 820 now passed both Houses of the State developments on Staten Island was pending in the City Council. If en­ advocated by Executive Director Legislature, only to be vetoed by acted, the law would require official the Governor. While conceding the Charles Thomsen testifying before mapping of a street as a pre-condi­ the Building Committee of the City desirability of such legislation, the tion for the issuance of building Council. The Chapter urged the Governor indicated that it should permits. It would also continue the passage of a local law which would be pursued through local law. present legal requirements of suit­ withhold the issuance of building able street improvements before a permits on unmapped or unim­ certificate of occupancy can be is­ RICHMOND PARKWAY proved streets. sued by the Superintendent of 3. At a City Planning Commis­ Buildings. Similar controls should The urgency for an all-out top pri­ sion hearing on December 7, the be exercised, Mr. Thomsen asserted, ority program for the planning and Chapter recommended the de­ "where inadequate sanitation and development of Staten Island was mapping of West Broadway, south other facilities make new construc­ forcefully driven home this past of Washington Square Park, to its tion improvident at this time." month when plans for the first sec­ original 75 foot R.O.W. tion of the Richmond Parkway Recognizing the burden placed were rushed through to meet the 4. The Chapter also urged the on private owners and their prop­ deadlines and qualify for federal Board of Estimate, at a public erties "placed in the limbo created and state aid. In spite of last min­ hearing on December 16, to ap­ by such a law," Mr. Thomsen added, ute personal efforts of Mayor Lind­ prove "without further delay" the "we are confidGnt that these tempo­ say and against the stated opposi­ map submitted by the Commis­ rary hardships would be rewarded tion of civic groups and the New sioner of Parks establishing a 260- a thousandfold by the sound devel­ York Chapter AIA, Superintendent acre addition to Breezy Point Park. opment of the Island according to John Burch McMorran of the State 2

STATEN ISLAND ISSUES of this open space is much more A COORDINATED RICHMOND PARKWAY restricted than is generally real­ TRANSPORTATION PLAN (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1J ized. For instance, the newly ac­ quired High Rock Nature Center is Plans for the Richmond Parkway, Department of Public Works pro­ only 60 acres, as compared with being implemented notwithstand­ ceeded as scheduled on the contracts Central Park of 840 acres, and its ing indications by the City that to build the first section of the Park­ widest point only 1450 feet across. they should be delayed, pinpoint way estimated to cost $16 million. The minimum width for the park­ the difficulty in achieving a possible The concern of the Chapter over way is 300' or twice as wide as Park . collaboration between the city and the serious effects that this north­ A venue. The virgin woodland, semi-autonomous or quasi-public south artery would have on the through whose entire length the agencies, despite lip service to the future of the island were expressed parkway is projected, varies in desirability if not imperative neces­ by Chapter President Max 0. Ur­ width from 500' to 3000' for a dis­ sity for such a collaboration. hahn in a telegram to Transporta­ tance of 4 miles. The parkway re­ tion Council Chairman Arthur E. quires considerable cuts and fill due Methods for achieving this needed Palmer on January 26th. Recom­ to the rugged nature of the terrain control and collaboration were sug­ mending that the bid opening date through which it will pass. Hence, gested to Mayor Lindsay by Chap­ for section 1 of the parkway be the swath through the heart of the ter President Max 0. Urhahn and delayed beyond the prescribed 45 Greenbelt will change the charac­ by Urban Design Committee Chair­ days, Mr. Urhahn questioned the ter on the adjacent lands: the man B. Sumner Gruzen in a letter validity of the proposed route "par­ camps to the west, the nature cen­ dated January 26th: ticularly in the northern sector of ter to the east, and Latourette Park "In these crucial early days of the island where the parkway woodlands on both sides will be left your administration's bold under­ would cut through the heart of the as thin strips of open space." taking to frame a new direction Staten Island greenbelt." He urged The alternate route proposed and a new pattern for the City and that serious consideration be given by the Citizens' Planning Commit­ its future, we urge your attention to alternate routes which would tee was rejected by both the Tri­ to one particular problem which preserve the natural features of borough Bridge and Tunnel Au­ has created a very serious obstacle the open land area now used as thority and the State Department to the development of a sound and parks and camps. of Public Works because of the coordinated comprehensive master In this last minute effort to delay "fantastic additional funds ( 11 mil­ plan for this City. the premature project, Mr. Urhahn lion) for the construction of a road recommended the thorough review which is grossly inferior to the "Our City Charter has charged of the possibilities offered by mak­ original route in every respect, in­ the preparation of this comprehen­ ing the proposed artery an express­ cluding scenic appeal ... a route sive plan to the City Planning Com­ way. "As you know," he stated in which would needless dispossess 83 mission. It is obvious that a major his communication to Mr. Palmer, families." element in any city plan is the organ­ "the City Planning Commission has The report by the Staten Island ization and mapping of streets, recommended that Richmond Park­ Citizens' Planning Committee was highways, bridges, and tunnels. way be made an expressway. We instrumental in the Chapter's joint Such work is the legal responsibil­ support this proposal." In view of statement with 13 civic organiza­ ity of the City Planning Commis­ the Chapter reservations Mr. Ur­ tions of New York City and the sion. The function of a Traffic hahn concluded, "We strongly urge Island urging a review of the trans­ Department is to establish ways of that the receipt of bids be post­ portation plans for the Island gen­ moving traffic along the route es­ poned." erally, and of Richmond Parkway tablished by the City plan. "There­ fore, our professional opinion is : The proposed route of the Ex­ in particular. (OCULUS, Novem­ pressway was criticized by Staten ber 1965). "1. That no proposals for map- Island groups, including the Staten ping of building circulation Island Citizens Committe on Plan­ 99th DINNER DANCE routes in our city should be ning, which issued a report in No­ Thursday, February 24 made except by the City Plan­ vember 1965 recommending an M/ S Europa • Pier 88 ning Commission, alternate route. The main obj ec­ 6:25 -12:30 tion advanced by the committee 2. That the specialized knowl­ was that in its obvious aim to pro­ • Cocktails edge of the Traffic Department vide access from the Verrazano­ • 7 Course Dinner, 2 Wines is a requirement in the organi­ N arrows Bridge to the outer cross­ • Brandy and Cordials zation of circulation routes. A ings, the new roadway would • Dancing and After - Dinner representative of the Traffic destroy the heart of the Staten Drinks Department should be an ad­ Island Greenbelt. • Robert Smith's Building visor or member of the City Congress Quartet Planning Commission. "Staten Island is an oasis of par­ • Presentation of 5 Awards by 3. That an office bearing a title tially developed land in the heart AJA such as Coordinator of Traffic of Megalopolis. It may seem to • Presentation of 4 Architec­ or Coordinator of Highways, possess limitless extents of rural tural Scholarships by W AA woodlands and farms, but the scale etc., is redundant." 3 OCULUS DIALOGUE WITH CITY HALL: A HOUSING PROGRAM FOR NEW YORK January, 1966 VOL. 38 - Number 4 The Honorable John V. Lindsay AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS Mayor of the City of New York NEW YORK CHAPTER Dear Mayor Lindsay : CHARLES E. THOMSEN, Executive Director The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects sees in MARGOT A. HENKEL, Executive Secretary your administration a magnificent promise for the enlightened design 115 East 40th Street New York, N. Y. 10016 and bold planning of our city. During your campaign you issued "A MUrray Hill 9-7969 Program for New York's Housing Crisis" and you graciously consented to speak to our profession, answering its specific questions on housing, MAX 0. URBAHN ...... President DAVID F. M. TODD ...... Vice President planning and design. You have appointed an excellent Task Force to help OWEN L. DELEVANTE ...... Secretary develop such a program. H. DICKSON McKENNA ...... Treasurer The task of our profession in these early days of your administration is BOARD OF EDITORS to actively support and expand proposals we find vital to the goal of a Charles E. Thomsen, Chairman and Editor great and beautiful environment. To this end, we transmit to you the Elisabeth Coit, Vice Chairman report of our housing committee. Your aim and ours is to create a true Neil Berzak N. Dan Larsen Marvin Flam Gerald C. Lenaz rebirth of New York City. William B. Gleckman Alexander Sanko Max 0. Urbahn, President Seymour D. Gurlitz Samuel M. Kurtz Charles S. Telchin New York Chapter, AIA

The following is directed toward certain statements made by Mayor "We must stop considering housing as separate from the overall Lindsay at a special meeting with 1 planning process. We must think no more in terms of housing the architectural community, and projects, and begin to think once again, about neighborhoods; we must in his campaign position paper, "A include within their borders, shops, markets, and recreational facilities Program fo r New York's Housing geared to the specific needs and desires of the residents."-Speech to A.I.A. Crisis." It was prepared by the Housing Sub~Committe e on Review, In order to tighten the relationship between planning and housing headed by James Baker, Kurt Kar­ we recommend the following steps be taken as soon as possible. min and Irving Weiner. 1. Reorganize the housing and planning agencies into a single New York Redevelopment Agency. HOUSING COMMITTEE 2. Insure that no new public housing projects or semi-public housing are built without vital related neighborhood facilities. SA UL EDELBA UM Chairman 3. Redesign the landscaping and provide as many community facil­ ities as possible in all existing public housing projects. JOHN J. GROSFELD Secretary 4. Encourage and assist the City Planning Commission, through financial appropriations and by the assignment of broad powers, JAMES BAKER to proceed with and complete the master plan it has begun. GEORGE A. BIELICH LEON BRAND Direct the City Housing Authority to submit to the City Planning SAMUEL BRODY 2 Commission within six months for approval a step-by-step program to create 50,000 new low rent apartments over the next four years by using MYRON GOLDFINGER air rights, vacant land and abandoned buildings.-Position paper. S. ROBERT GREENSTEIN We support your program for the creation of more low rent apart­ JORDAN L. GRUZEN ments; and urge revision of the Housing Authority Standards to improve NORMAN C. JAFFE design and reduce the cost per unit. We suggest the following steps to provide more and better low rent housing. KURT KARMIN 1. Renew efforts to pass State low-rent housing propositions which WILLIAM F. PEDERSEN failed in November. SAMUEL RATENSKY 2. Adopt a policy of experiment in design. While maintaining the WILLIAM H. ROEHL same densities a variety of interesting combinations are possible RICHARD ROTH, JR. mixing high and low rise units or developing all low rise using greater land coverage. DEMETRIOS SIDERAKIS 3. Investigate the possibility of including in this program some HENRY D. WHITNEY single room occupancy dwellings for those areas where they are IRVING WEINER needed most. 4

Enlist the aid of private enterprise in the creation of 50,000 low rent 3 apartments, particularly for the elderly through the new rent supple­ ment provisions of the Federal Housing and Urban Development Act.­ Position paper. We support this program. Since it was written Congress has taken away funds for rent supplements. We urge your all out effort to obtain public and congressional support to get the rent-supplement program going.

Boost middle income apartment construction to a rate of 15,000 4 annually in order to stop the flight of middle-income New Yorkers from the city.-Position paper. We support this proposal with particular enthusiasm for your promise to speed up processing of project applications. The dangers of this program were documented jointly by architects and engineers in a paper called "Potential Dangers in the Mitchell-Lama Program to Architects and Engineers". In addition to your personal supervision and the establish­ ment of project coordinators we recommend the following: 1. Establish new goals which include sociological, technological, economic and aesthetic improvement. 2. Provide systematic review procedures, consistent design stand­ ards and reasonable decision making. 3. Clarify the roles of the "Builder-Sponsor" and the Architect's. 4. Create an AJA approved contract for architects and a system of payment during design and project development phase. 5. Increase architect's fees to at least match those provided by the Public Housing Administration. 6. Remove the arbitrary $30 per room rent cost figure and create a flexible cost limit based on yearly inflation and number of units.

Direct the Department of Relocation to make contact with every 5 family about to be relocated and encourage the use of the new Rent Certificate Program to help provide decent housing for persons forced to move.-Position paper. We support the use of the Federal Housing Act and a new city rent supplement program. While recognizing the Department of Relocations' efforts, the insensitive displacement of families has been one of the biggest draw-backs to urban renewal, which must be remedied by the following: 1. Recognize that the rights of families to continue living in their present locations should be subordinate in urban renewal to more important planning considerations, such as long range land use objectives, without prejudice to the rights of cohesive com­ munities which already contain the basic elements of physical livability and attractiveness not to be uprooted against their will. 2. When possible give first choice occupancy to persons previously residing in the area. 3. Improve methods of rehabilitation without moving persons out of apartments.

Make proper enforcement strong and effective by creating a new 6 Department of Housing Maintenance and equipping it with the power to wipe out slum landlords.-Position paper. We doubt that creating a new agency where an old one has failed will solve the problem. The Building Department operates with confusion, delay, indecision, and obstruction. We urge instead that the Building Department be completely overhauled and modernized and that housing maintenance be handled within the new structure. We applaud the efforts of the new Commissioner of Buildings, Charles G. Moerdler in revitalizing one of the most important arms of the city administration. --- 5

Improve and rehabilitate slum areas, coordinating the Housing and 7 Anti-Povery Programs, accepting for the city the role of house· keeper to bring slum apartments up to standard until new building pro­ grams are completed.-Position paper. We support the use of local offices, expansion of the Emergency Repair Fund and revision of City Loan Program. Rehabilitation accomplished with city loans or by the Housing Authority has been pathetically low. We urge that the following action be taken. 1. Staff local offices in urban renewal areas with Building and Fire Department inspectors, rehabilitation advisors, and financial specialists who will give follow-thru aid to owners to rehabilitate their properties. 2. Give active publicity to a revised city loan program and plans for the neighborhood. Insure those rehabilitating that their build­ ing will not be torn down by future renewal programs. 3. Apply historical preservation laws where possible. 4. Use local contractors and labor for city sponsored rehabilitation. Develop training programs in conjunction with unions and anti­ woverty groups for local youths. 5. Use quickly the new renewal program for repair under the 1965 Federal Housing and Urban Development Act. 6. Encourage private organizations to invest in large scale rehabili­ tation, such as that being done by U.S. Gypsum. 7. Attempt to revise rules which do not apply to New York in the FHA 221 d (3) rehabilitation loan program.

Actively support the achievement of good design in New York by 8 establishing a Design Experiment Laboratory and an Experimental Fund.-Position paper. "I will do everything I can, as Mayor, to use the best talent for each and every project with which the city is concerned. I will insist on competi· tions in design. I will seek to rehabilitate the processes of site selection and design review so that a meaningful dialogue between the city and its architects is the result".-Speech to A.I.A. The New York Chapter is prepared to cooperate, assist and support your efforts to bring greatness to New York. In addition to the design experiment laboratory, use of leading architects to advise the City Plan­ ning Commission on Urban Renewal, and greater freedom of design in its building programs we recommend : 1. Creation of a "Board of Design Review" (A.I.A. Resolution Sep­ tember 29, 1965) composed of the seven Architects and Planner members of the agencies listed as follows : 1. Architect member of the City Planning Commission 2. Planner member of the City Planning Commission 3. Architect/ Planner member of the Housing Redevelopment Board 4. Architect member of the New York City Housing Authority 5. Architect member of the Board of Education 6. Architect member of the Board of Higher Education 7. Architect Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. or a similar group within a new development agency structure. Their function shall be as follows. advise the Mayor on building projects review designs and plans coordin~te activities of city agencies assist in development of a master plan review the fee structures and selection practices generally develop studies and review all proposals affecting the appearance of the City. 6

2. In direct selection of Architects and use of competitions we urge an impartial use of a revised Mayor's list of Architects and use of both open and closed competition. We think it desirable to have a percentage of the architects for public building chosen by a committee of architects, and that the A.I.A. give approval for architects selected to hold public agency positions in the manner that the Bar Association approves lawyers for judgeships.

Further the goal of an Open City by strengthening the role which 9 the Deputy Commissioner plays in developing housing policies.­ Position paper. Our Chapter supports an Open City policy. We feel that total com­ munity planning, elimination of large economic blocks, mixed low-middle and high rent housing and provision for the inclusion of facilities for social, recreational and religious life will greatly aid this program.

"I propose: exploration of waterfront properties; a pilot project in lo the Harlem River Valley to demonstrate what talent and imagina­ tion can do to transform a dreary wasteland into a Garden of Productivity. Nothing has been more dramatic than the plight of Staten Island, whose hills and valleys are being indiscriminately scarred by the most wasteful profiteering."-Speech to A.I.A. We hope you will pursue the intelligent development of our water­ fronts and undeveloped areas, particularly the following. 1. Proceed with crash program for developing a comprehensive plan for Staten Island as proposed by this Chapter and the Staten Island Chapter. 2. Implement lower Manhattan waterfront plan as recently pro­ posed by the City Planning Commission.

PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS MOVE AHEAD

Beginning this month, the Chap­ Together with his associate Mor­ ter's public relations will be handled ton Stone, Mr. Weil will work by Andrew Weil of Warren Weil closely with the Public Affairs Public Relations, 405 Park A venue. Committee under Chairman Lath­ His appointment was the result of rop Douglas and with the Chapter's the Executive Committee's keen in­ Executive Director. terest in strengthening public/pro­ fessional/ city agencyI government relationships. Established in 1955, Mr. Weil's firm represents several well-known architectural and engineering firms as well as financial public relations and government relations assign­ ments for corporate clients, and economic development for a for­ eign government. Mr. Weil has been guest speaker on public relations for the profes­ sion at national conventions and seminars, at the Yale School of Architecture, and the New Jersey Society of Architects. Part of his program this year will be to insti­ tute and direct a series of seminars on public relations procedures for architectural offices. ANDREW WEIL 7

WILLETS POINT REVIEWED SHADES OF A CIVIC CENTER

In another letter to Mayor Lindsay Ghosts of an uncertain past re­ Harlem or in another appropriate over the signatures of Chapter appeared in the last week of De­ place, should not be decided at this President Max 0. Urbahn and Com­ cember at a Site Selection Board time (Dec. 27) but only in relation mittee Chairman Sumner Gruzen, hearing on the proposed location of to the intentions and personnel of the Chapter stated its position on the new Family Court building in the new administration. We there­ the proposed Willets Point Park New York's aging civic center. Op­ fore urge you to table this action," posed to the Court's location in the he concluded. addition. "Phase II" area which extends Voting in favor of the proposed "The New York Chapter of the from Worth to Canal Streets, the location of the Court building in the American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter urged that the Civic Center, City Planning Com­ action be tabled in order to allow through its Urban Design Commit­ mission Chairman Ballard stated the incoming Lindsay administra­ tee, has reviewed the proposals for that the selection of the site was tion an opportunity to review and based on the recognition of the the Willets Point addition to Flush­ decide on a project which it would ing Meadow Park and concurs most Family Court "as an integral and be charged to execute. equal part of the reorganized judi­ emphatically with your views and Speaking for the New York cial system, relating it in close those of Park Commissioner Hov­ Chapter, Mr. Norval White, a mem­ physical proximity to the other ing as stated at the City Planning ber of the Chapter's governing Ex­ three main components." Such a Commission hearing of November ecutive Committee, reminded the proximity would be advantageous 24, 1965. Board of the AJA recommendations and convenient, he declared, for the developed two years ago and call­ administrative staff and members "While recognizing the commend­ ing for: of the legal profession and others able purpose and praise-worth mo­ "l. The general expansion in scope involved with the courts, including tives of the City Planning Commis­ of the Civic Center plan to re­ their administrative staffs. sion to eliminate a terrible scar late it to contiguous areas of The bulk of Chairman Ballard's from our cityscape and at the same the City. statement was however directed to time provide additional park facili­ 2. For study of the possibility of the suggestion made at a prior ties to a city in dire need of them, an open design competition for hearing that the Court be located we wish to note the formal dissent 'Phase II', north of Worth in Harlem, close to the majority of of Commissioners Guggenheimer Street. the people it serves as well as to up­ and Goldstone in the 1963 decision 3. For the planning of this second grade the depressed area. Although of the Commission. phase in three dimensional in sympathy with this "much-to-be­ terms before any further build­ desired end", Chairman · Ballard "Our study of the area indicates ings were authorized, not stated the Court has city-wide as that Willets Point is highly unsuit­ merely the present casual indi­ well as Manhattan-oriented admin­ able for a park or recreation devel­ cations that something to do istrative functions which are best opment: it is strangled by cords of with a civic center will exist located in the Civic Center. He sug­ concrete highways and parking in some form at some time on gested that some functions of the lots, inaccessible and remote from these northerly blocks." Court, such as probation services, reporting centers, could be decen­ residential areas; it indeed lacks any "Because a civic center exists does not mean that all civic build­ tralized into the communities they unique or distinguished physical are to serve "where the privacy and feature. The one great potential­ ings are placed on it," Mr. White added, particularly when the major dignity of the people can be pro­ that of a wildlife sanctuary-has activities in those civic buildings tected." long since been eradicated. With "functionally relate to other par­ Citing the "deplorable" and little ot no benefit to be derived ticular areas of the city." Referring "grossly inadequate" quarters pres­ from its use as a park, the area is to the suggestions advanced in the ently used by the Family Court, more than aptly suited to the man­ course of a previous hearing that Chairman Ballard concluded that ufacturing activities which are the Family Court building should "rather than losing the further economically beneficial to the City. be situated in Harlem where the time that would be needed if a new "Therefore, the New York Chap­ bulk of its cases come from, Mr. Board were to take up this problem ter, The American Institute of White stated that the location, from the beginning. . . . I have Architects urges the discontinu­ "whether in the civic center, in urged that action be taken now." ence of park use of this parcel of land and its demapping as a park." SEVERUD • PERRONE • FISCHER The letter was based on an ex­ STURM • CONLIN • BANDEL OLKO ENGINEERING Consultants - Designers tensive report prepared by the Ur­ Consulting Engineers ban Design Park Sub-Committee Reports - Buildings - Airports Structural and Civil Engineering Special Structures under its chairman Raphael H. 500 FIFTH A VE. NYC BR 9-2822 Courland. Structural Design - Supervision 8

THE RETURN OF THE SHADOW MEMBERSHIP

During the last few years, the New 120 feet, West Broadway would WELCOME NEW MEMBERS York Chapter has tended to side continue as Fifth Avenue South. The New York Chapter extends its with, if not wholeheartedly support, "When the commendable move was warmest welcome to the following new the determined resistance of organ­ made, with our support, to remove members: ized Greenwich Village residents traffic completely from Washington Corporate against intrusions which, in their Square," Chapter Executive Direc­ John M. Bailey, J r . A llen E. T ha ler eyes, would alter the fabric of this tor Thomsen stated, "West Broad­ D onald Colombo Regin a ld H . Cude M ich ael B. Gordon A lber t P . H inckley, Jr. unique area of the city. Jealously way should have automatically Ernest F . H oeldtke Sanuder Sh aevitz J. K a rl Justin A r t hur McNamara protective of the status quo, the Vil­ reverted to its original dimension." M ildred F. Schmer tz Arthur Silver Ch arles W . Stan ton Arthur Lutzk er lagers under the banner of pugna­ B erna rd Prain it o cious Local Planning Board No. 2, In supporting the narrowing of and through such able spokesmen West Broadway, the Chapter em­ CANDIDATES phasized that it was not supporting Information regarding the qualifica­ as Jane Jacobs, Edward Koch, and tions of the following candidates for Ruth Wittenberg, have reenacted or passing on the architectural membership will be considered confi­ time and again the legend of David merits of the proposed library but dential by the Admission Committee: and Goliath, fighting off the persis­ more pertinently recognized the urban design merit of containing Corporate tent efforts of the city to imple­ H a rry Bates J ohn Edward Cr occo the open park space "in the man­ J ohn T udor Roberts J oseph K leiman ment its renewal programs and Joseph Lowy Rich a r d P . Rosen t h a l other projects slated for the area. ner of great English and French Frithjof Olsen Norma n Rosenfeld When Robert Moses tried to push squares with the maintenance of King Chin his boulevard through Washington cornice heights existing on the east Associate Square, and later, when Newbold and west park fa<;ades." This would S a rni G. Khoury Morris sought to transform the be possible only with the original park into an ill-conceived and inert 75-foot-street dimension: "In New beaux-arts decoration, New York York, where buildings are generally built without regard for one an­ Chapter members such as Edgar JOB OPENINGS Tafel, Robert C. Weinberg, Harold other and the qualities of good Edelman among others actively par­ urban design are seldom seen, we FOR ARCHITECTS: ticipated in the stubborn resistance, have a chance for a sophisticated now a part of the living legend of example of quality." DESIGNERS/ PROJECT ARCHITECTS/ Greenwich Village (OCULUS, No­ JOB CAPTAINS/DRAFTSMEN/ More in self-righteousness than vember 1964). deep conviction and emboldened PLAN DESK CLERKS perhaps by past successes, Green­ This happy cooperation between wich Villagers have been seeking the architectural community and MANY FEE NEGOTIABLE, to block the project of the new SOME FEE PAID that of the Village was not in Goliath symbolized now by NYU's evidence at a public hearing of president, James Hester. Ironically, the City Planning Commission last if not inconsistently, they sought at Al I jobs in leading architectural month when the New York Chapter the Planning Commission hearing and design offices in NYC AJA appeared before the Commis­ to retain the vestige of Mr. Moses' sion in support of NYU's efforts to effort to create a thoroughfare build a library building on Wash­ through Washington Square. The RUTH HIRSCH PL 2-7640 ington Square's southeastern peri­ library, it was contended, would CAREER BUILDERS AGENCY phery and across from the Loeb block the view of the apartment Student center on West Broadway. complex south of the park, while 515 Madison Avenue The design of the 12-story building casting an ugly shadow across it. by Philip Johnson and Richard Foster is predicated upon a series of zoning changes and waivers, the first of which would be the de­ 1966 BARD AWARD PROGRAM mapping of West Broadway from its present 120-foot right-of-way to The fourth annual Bard A wards oughs of New York City. Entries its original 75-foot width. Program for Excellence in Archi­ may be submitted by the owners, tecure and Urban Design, co-spon­ architects, or admirers, and must Speaking for the proposed change, sored by the J. M. Kaplan Fund be received at the City Club of New the New York Chapter contended Inc., and the Bard A ward Trust York, 6 West 48th Street, before that the demapping was "an appro­ Fund of The City Club of New February 18. They will be judged priate removal of a misguided York, has been announced. on February 28 by Chapter mem­ change" in a package of events that This year's subject will be pri­ bers Ulrich Franzen, John MacL. had included the proposed exten­ vately-sponsored buildings of all Johansen, Albert Mayer, Paul M. sion of Fifth Avenue through Wash­ classifications completed since Jan­ Rudolph, and representatives of ington Square, where, widened to uary 1, 1964, within the five bor- the sponsors. 9

WOMEN'S ARCHITECTURAL AUXILIARY

HOUSE PARTY ARCHITECTURAL SCHOLARSHIPS A house on East 36th Street, num­ It will be a proud moment for the in New York City, with husbands ber 131 to be exact, was all aglow members of the Women's Architec­ serving as bartenders. The money with lights and gay with 82 mem­ tural Auxiliary of the American goes directly for architectural schol­ bers of the W AA and their guests Institute of Architects on Thurs­ arships. on the evening of December 14th. day, Feb. 24th (at the Anniversary The occasion will be the Anni­ Eleanor Allwork was in charge of Dance aboard the M.S. Europa) versary Dance, aboard the M.S. arrangements for the occasion in when $8,000 is presented to the Europa, and sponsored by the honor of Isabella Ketchum, a foun­ Deans of Architecture of Columbia, American Institute of Architects, der member and AJA' s first lady. Pratt Institute, Cooper Union, and with special table or more planned Most successfully, the scholarship New York City College. This for W AA members and their hus­ fund benefited to the tune of $216.- money, which has been raised by bands. The ship will be M.S. Europa 72, all bills paid. the W AA, is a result of their ef­ and the price ($22.50 per person) Great interest was shown in the forts in planning the Doric Cotil­ includes cocktails, a seven course historic premises bought in the lion and tour of Newport, R. I., the meal, and- aancing. You will be early part of the century by Wil­ tour of Lincoln Center, and the notified soon - it sounds like fun liam Adams Delano and remodelled pleasant cocktail party given by the ... let's all go! in accordance with his love of Paris. members at historic Delano House Elizabeth S. Thompson The house remains little changed today, from the boulevard numbers outside to the sweeping circular COMING EVENTS staircase, the sculptured marble mantles, and the tall, tall ceilings ; FEBRUARY 14 Workshop Meetings on Proposed New York City it speaks eloquently of a way of Building Code life. One disappointing note-no Dining Room, Monday, 4 :00-6 :00 P.M. one could be found to play the mag­ nificent grand piano set up end-to­ FEBRUARY 15 Hospitals & Health Seminar end. (Musical members, come for­ Dining Room, Tuesday, 5 :15 P.M. ward! It isn't too soon to line up FEBRUARY 18 Workshop Meetings on Proposed New York City talent for our convention time.) Building Code The party was kept moving by Dining Room, Friday, 4 :00-6 :00 P.M. by dashing, red-suspendered bar­ tenders-the :Messrs. Ketchum, All­ FEBRUARY 24 Anniversary Dinner Dance work, Bartos, Jacobs, Lawford, Steamship M/S Europa, Thursday, 6 :25 P.M. Schwartzman, Thorson, Urbahn, MARCH 9 Technical Committee Lecture and Wilson-who were in their National Design Center, 415 E. 53rd Street glory. Wednesday, 5 :30 P.M. An amusing interlude was- a building competition in dominoes. MARCH 22 Technical Committee Lecture About 15 architects participated Dining Room, Tuesday, 5 :30 P.M. with startling results. The award APRIL 19 Hospitals & Health Seminar was unanimously given to Francis Dining Room, Tuesday, 5 :15 P.M. Keally for his collapsable house, by Hildegarde Sleeper and her ad hoc APRIL 26 Technical Committee Lecture committee consisting of Jean Dav­ Dining Room, Tuesday, 5 :30 P.M. ern, Margot Henkel, Douglas Has­ MAY 11 AJA Pre-Convention Luncheon kell and Morris Ketchum. Dining Room, Wednesday, 12 :30 P.M. The W AA is much indebted to Minor Bishop for making all this MAY 24 Technical Committee Lecture possible and to Alexander Mcll­ Dining Room, Tuesday, 12 :30 P.M. vaine, the present owner, with MAY 25 Membership Cocktail Party whom he is associated. The prop­ Dining Room, Wednesday, 5 :00-8 :00 P.M. erty was inherited from Mr. Del­ ano, and mementos have been pre­ JUNE 1 Annual Luncheon served. The antique desk in their Dining Room, Wednesday, 12 :30 P.M. office would be a source of pride to JUNE 26- AJA Convention any architect. JULY 1 Denver-Hilton Hotel Hildegarde Sleeper 10

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