OCULUS · an eye on new york architecture

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Volume 50, Number 5, January 1988 2 NYC/AIA OCULUS OCULUS CENTRAL PARK

Volume 50, Number 5, January 1988

Oculus Editor: C. Ray Smith Managing Editor: Marian Page Art Director: Abigail Sturges Typesetting: Susan Schechter Printer: The Nugent Organization Photographer: Stan Ries

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects 457 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 212-838-9670

Lenore M. Lucey, Executive Director Cathanne Piesla, Executive Secretary

Executive Committee 1987-88: A. Eugene Kohn, President Martin Raab, First Vice President Richard Dattner, Vice President Bartholomew Voorsanger, Vice President Valery Baker, Secretary Graeme Whitelaw, Treasurer Margaret Helfand Douglas Korves Denis G. Kuhn Charles Platt Sheldon Wander John Winkler CENTRAL PARK

Chapter Staff Elisa Dantuono Regina Kelly Proposed CPW District portion of the Upper West Side, east Eileen McGrath of Broadway, that was developed, for Kimberly A. Potter From a statement by the the most part, within a span of fifty Judy Rowe Landmarks Commission. years-1885-1935. Its earlier development with rowhouses and © 1988 The New York Chapter of The Landmarks Preservation tenements characterizes the side the American Institute of Architects. Commission will conduct a public streets and Columbus and Amsterdam designation hearing on Tuesday, Avenues, while Central Park West and January 12, 1988 beginning at 10:30 Steering Committee Convention 88 the major cross streets are lined with John H. Winkler, Chair am, in the Fourth Universalist apartment houses. Valery Baker Society's Church, 4 West 76 Street John Belle (entrance on CentralPark West), with Plans for Central Park West in the John Burgee respect to the proposed designation of 1860s led to the first wave of land Richard S. Hayden the Central Park West Historic speculation on the Upper West Side, Paul Heyer District. particularly along what is Central A. Eugene Kohn Park West (then called Eighth Eason H. Leonard The proposed Central Park West Avenue), but initial development Lenore M. Lucey Historic District extends from 62nd Michael Maas waited for the first phase of the Peter Samton Street to 96th Street along Central American Museum of Natural History Paul Segal Park West, from 68th Street to 88th (1847-77). The 1880s were the first Massimo Vignelli Street along Columbus Avenue, from major decade of development in the Bartholomew Voorsanger 69th Street to 72nd Street along area, signalled by the construction of Kenneth Walker · Broadway, from 72nd Street to 84th the Dakota Apartments, the opening Graeme Whitelaw Street, and from 85th Street to 87th of the Ninth Avenue El, and the Street along Amsterdam Avenue; it opening of a cable car route along includes side street blocks between Tenth Avenue. By the end of the Central Park West and Columbus, decade, a good part of the character of between Columbus and ijroadway, and the district had been established. The between Columbus and Amsterdam. side streets were being built up with The district is representative of the cont'd. p. 4 JANUARY1988 3 WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT

NUMBERS INDICATE BUILDINGS WITHIN BOUNDARIES OF HISTORIC DISTRICT

Opposition to CPW District The concerns of SPONY (Small grown by inches, but its Property Owners in New York) are: responsibilities have grown by miles." by Patricia Nash 1. The lack of written guidelines from Add to these delays the requirements the LPC. to submit manufacturers The following statement is an excerpt 2. The Lack of LPC's coordination and specifications, photos of the building, of a slightly longer piece by Patricia inconsistency with various regulatory and architectural plans, and the time Nash, Vice President of SPONY, the agencies. it takes to hold meetings, Small Property Owners in New York, 3. Totally inadequate programs to resubmissions, and appeals and a which will voice obJ'ection to the financially assist owners in complying simple repair can easily become a six­ Landmarks Commission's designation, with the requirements. month project. on January 12, of a Central Park 4. Due process Historic District. In the lines, not 5. Censorship. Matters are further complicated even between them, the statement is because the commission does not have as much an indictment of procedures Most ownei:s believe in preserving a written code for owners to use as a of the LPG and its cooperating their heritage. That is why they standard for maintenance, repairs, and agencies as of the CPW District. purchased their buildings in the first alterations. Consequently, owners and place. But they object to being told the architects must comply with The Landmarks Preservation what they have to do with their subjective interpretations of what Commission, spurred on by a small but buildings, particularly by individuals constitutes an appropriate alteration. energetic group of preservationists, who do not share a similar Often the commission's expensive has set its sights on the Upper West responsibility. And, most certainly, tastes can double or triple the cost of Side of Manhattan ... The owners object to other people's hands an alteration. In some cases, Commission's actions seem to be just in their pockets, spending their money. improvements to landmarks have another layer of regulations been so costly that owners have been superimposed on an already Owners of landmark buildings have forced to defer or drop them entirely. oppressive regulatory system. Little complained about delays in processing On one side of an owner's balance attention is being paid to the problems the required certificates. LPC sheet the Rent Guidelines Board holds that landmarking will cause. Even less Director of Operations Joan down rents, while on the other side attention is being paid to the possible Olshansky confirms that delays exist the Landmarks Preservation solutions. saying, "The landmarks staff has cont'd. p. 5 4 NYC/AIA OCULUS

cont'd. from p. 2 Central Park West developed more Included are part of three major cross the flamboyant and eclectic rowhouses slowly and unevenly than the side streets, 72nd, 79th, and 86th, which so characteristic of not only the streets and avenues to the west. A were built up with apartment houses period, but also of the Upper West number of small-scale apartment following the 1916 zoning law, which Side. The residential streetscape was buildings and some isolated rowhouse allowed buildings "1 1/z height" unified by consistent height, setback, groups built in the late 1880s and (building heights were limited to 1 1/z and overall form, but the houses 1890s have survived and are included times the street width). Thus the displayed an individualistic character. in the proposed district, as are several survival of row houses on the side Exotic sources and picturesque late 19th-century religious buildings. streets has been linked with the medieval precedents were popular The Central Park West that we know concept of grand apartment houses on with rowhouse builders. Four- and today as one of New York's grandest the cross streets. Nonetheless, lower­ five-story tenements began to fill up residential streets was largely built in scale apartment houses, also enabled Ninth (Columbus) and Tenth the 20th century, and its high-rise by the zoning law, have interrupted (Amsterdam) Avenues. Many of these apartment buildings fall roughly into rows of houses on the side streets. were built in conjunction with the side three stylistic categories: Beaux-Arts Both types of structures represent street rows and are related to them inspired from the first decade of the important phases of the district's architecturally. The Brockholst century, such as the Prasada, development. Apartments at Columbus and 85th Langham, Kenilworth, and St. Urban; Street is a particularly elaborate neo-classical and neo-Renaissance Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam example of this genre. Apartment from the 1920s, such as the Beresford Avenue retain a character that hotels, such as the Hotel Lucerne and and San Remo; and Art Deco towers reflects the historic nature of these the Hotel Endicott, are another from the late 1920s and early 1930s, streets as major transportation building type characteristic of the last such as the Ardsley, Century, routes. Both were built up with years of the 19th century. By 1900, the Eldorado, and Majestic. Built over a tenements rather than rowhouses. row house character of the side streets period of some thirty years, the These structures play two different had been firmly fixed ~Columbus and stylistically diverse buildings of roles-as a terminus for rowhouses on Amsterdam Avenues were fully built Central Park West create a the side streets; and as a stretch of up with tenement buildings with streetscape and a skyline that is facades of relatively uniform height ground floor shops; and institutional unified not only by complementary and scale with commercial ground buildings- such as houses of worship, colors of brick and limestone, but also floors. That stretch gives its own schools, and libraries- supported this by a sense of grandeur and distinctive character to the avenues. residential neighborhood. exuberance. JANUARY 1988 5

Owners of landmark buildings are abatements, or exemptions to owners particularly hard hit, because their making improvements to their real estate tax increases have been landmarks. Owners should qualify for higher than tax hikes for similar these benefits on a piece-meal basis if buildings without landmark status. they are financially unable to improve However, no tax benefits or grants their entire buildings all at once. programs are available to assist owners faced with the cost of Tenants who are privileged to live in preserving their landmarks. landmarks should also shoulder the expense of maintaining them. All The Landmarks Preservation controls on rents in landmark Commission, and the various buildings should be lifted gradually, preservation groups behind it, must and a free market should prevail. be educated to the uniqueness of buildings housing rent-regulated The most desirable tenants in such tenants. The concept of landmarking structures are the owners, since as a way to preserve our heritage is a owner-occupied buildings tend to be sound one. However, owners should be better maintained than those in which encouraged and supported by those owners do not live. Owners should who enjoy the fruits of landmarking. have an uncontested right to recover cont'd. from p. 3 for their own use any or all of the Commission drives up the cost of The public should share in the cost of apartments in their buildings. housing maintenance. preserving these buildings. The Landmarks Preservation Commission While the status quo may suit the The problem of maintaining a should sponsor or coordinate needs of local politicians and those landmark property is particularly programs with other city agencies to residents already in place, it does severe for owners with rent-regulated insure that owners can properly nothing to preserve landmarks for the apartments in their buildings. maintain their landmarks. Programs common good. Legislation must According to a study by the Boston­ and grants should provide funds for provide these supports to landmark based accounting firm Arthur D. improvements and restoration at low owners if future generations are to Little, two out of three owners are or no interest. There also should be have the privilege of seeing where losing money on their buildings. tax relief in the form of reductions, their grandparents lived. 6 NYC/AIA OCULUS

Names and News The correspondence (right) has been received from Tim Prentice by way of a Dear Tl•, I think product endorsemient is fine for athletes progress report on his invitation to and actors. but vould Mies or Corbu or Calder have leant their n.es to stll soap suds? Never! No, t endorse Thum bless Boots (Qculus, Dec. 87, say . Though the tetiptation for r.onetary gain be great. you 11USt resist. Seek spiritual help if p.11). necessary. Perhaps a visit frOll your pastor would help .

Coliseum Site presented by the School of On December 8th, Acting State Architecture, Lawrence Institute of ~ l l. C . ~7 Supreme Court Justice Edward H. Technology, in Southfield, Michigan i -sF-Cvvl 'lv ~ c;c m NMadison Square Garden competition site was illegal. Such an arrangement entries in February. The winner was constitutes as "cash sale of a zoning Skidmore Owings & Merrill with Frank by two co-workers. (No write-in ballots bonus," Judge Lehner wrote in his Gehry .... One of this year's National please.) ... Carolynn R. Meinhardt has 10-page decision. "Zoning benefits are Trust Preservation Honor Awards cited been named the first executive not cash items," he said. Carnegie Hall and violinist Isaac director in the 93-year history of the Stern, whose Citizens Committee for National Institute for Architectural The city intends to appeal, and against Carnegie Hall successfully persuaded Education .... The Louis I. Kahn this appeal the Municipal Art Society the city in 1960 to acquire the designed Kimbell Art Museum in Fort will continue the lawsuit it filed structure and lease it to the newly Worth has published In Pursuit of against the city in State Supreme formed Carnegie Hall Corporation. Quality/The Kimbell Art Museum: An Court in June. The recent restoration of the building Illustrated History of the A rt and is by James Stewart Polshek and Architecture. It will be distributed by Times Square Redevelopment Partners .... Bill Lacy, president of Harry N. Abrams, Inc. in the spring "We are moving from blueprints to the board of the International Design .... Taylor, Clark and Associates, Inc. demolition," said UDC spokesman Conference in Aspen announced that is the new name of the architectural Harold Holzer of the four office towers the theme of the 1988 conference is to firm formerly known as Ferrenz, that are to form the main part of the be "The Cutting Edge, and Taylor, Clark, and Associates .... long delayed redevelopment plan for examination of the state of things." Dennis Ferris has joined Michael Times Square. New York Senator The conference, which takes·place in K wartier and Associates as Senior Franz Leichter, one of those opposing Aspen June 12-17, will be chaired by Urban Designer .... The Friends of the project, said that he and others advertisi:r:ig executive Jay Chiat and Terra Cotta and the Municipal Art "will definitely file suit" to block the photographer/graphic designer Henry Society are sponsoring an exhibition - plan. There have been 27 other law Wolf. For more information: IDCA, PO Firing the Imagination: Artists & suits filed so far to halt it, but all have Box 664, Aspen, CO 81612 Architects Use Clay-which will been dismissed or resulted in court (303-925-2257) .... The Municipal explore the past, present and future judgments in favor of the project. Engineers of the City of New York uses of clay in architecture, February awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Paula 24-April 6, at the Urban Center .... Tower over Metropolitan Club J. Rosch, a junior at Pratt's School of Haines Lundberg Waehler has been On November 17th, the Landmarks Architecture .... M. Paul Friedberg & commissioned by the Facilities Preservation Commission rejected the Partners have received two Merit Development Corporation on behalf of proposal to build an office tower Awards from the American Society of the Bronx Psychiatric Center of the designed by Jam es Stewart Polshek & Landscape Architects. One was for New York State Office of Mental Partners over the Metropolitan Club. Pershing Park located on Health, to provide architectural and The landmarks panel praised the Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, engineering design services for major Polshek design as "thoughtful, careful, DC; the other for Transpotomac Canal renovation .... Beyer Blinder Belle and in many ways sensitive," but Center in Alexandria, Virginia .... have promoted two architects, James concluded that a 37-story tower over Theodore H.M. Prudon has been Czaka and Arch Currie, and two the club's two-story library wing and appointed Preservation Design interior designers, Heather Faulding small courtyard on East 60th Street Director and Associate Principal of and Richard Southwick to associates would change the character of the Swanke Hayden Connell Architects .... The American Institute of McKim, Mead & White building. .... The Stand-Up New York comedy Architects "to offset six years of club is looking for the "funniest person Reagan Administration budget cuts in in an architectural firm" to add to its federal housing assistance, has called The Board of Standards and Appeals list, which includes funniest persons in for new legislation addressing the has approved the variances needed to advertising, in a stockbrokerage firm, 'broad spectrum of housing problems' build the revised plans for the in radio/TV, in a law firm, a funniest to provide adequate and affordable Guggenheim Museum's proposed taxi driver, and teach~r. Contestants housing for low- and moderate-income additions by Gwathmey Siegel & must do a 3-minute stand-up routine to individuals." The AJA suggests the Associates (see Oculus, April 1987). prove his or her funniness. Entries new legislation, explained AIA Construction is scheduled to begin should be mailed to: Funniest Person president Donald J. Hackl, to some time this year .... On March in an Architectural Firm, Stand-Up recognize "the continuing importance 24th Paul Segal will be the speaker in New York, 236 W. 78th Street, NYC of a meaningful Federal role," in a series called "ArchiLECTURE" 10024 on a firm letterhead and signed partnership with states, localities, and JANUARY 1988 7

Corbu Scho/,ars, Frances Hals band Letters suggests, may recall seeing the endorsement at left.

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individual hypotheses for generating Dear Editor: architectural form and ideas." The I read Eugene Kohn's article last competition is open to architects, month with great interest, both designers, and planners nationwide, because Gene heads one of the most who have been out of graduate or prestigious and profitable undergraduate school 10 years or architecture firms in the country, and fewer. The deadline to submit work to because Kohn, Pederson, Fox the private sector, "in assuring "Hypotheses" is February 27, 1988. participated in the Brooklyn Museum decent, affordable housing in For forms and information: 753-1722. Competition that I organized and reasonable supply." managed. The Photographs of Josef Albers Battery Park City Notes An exhibition opening at the Museum I think Gene's words of caution are Construction is scheduled to begin of Modern Art on January 30 will right on target. Practicing as I do at shortly on South Ferry Plaza, which feature photographs taken during the the other end of the professional will include an office tower, open 1920s and 30s by the influential spectrum from K.P.F., my small firm plaza, two restaurants, restoration of Bauhaus teacher Josef Albers. The has even less resources to invest in a the landmark Battery Maritime German-born artist was one of the crapshoot. For this reason, we have in Building, and renovation of IRT and original teachers in the Bauhaus, fact declined most paid invitational BMT subway stations. Fox and Fowle where he revolutionized art training competitions, limiting them to a are architects of the project, Raquel by combining the teaching of fine arts maximum of one per year. Ramati Associates are urban with the study of crafts. He also designers, and Zion and Breen are taught furniture design and drawing. Why are competitions, at best, a drain landscape architects .... Gruzen In 1933, Albers emigrated to America, on our resources, and at their worst, Samton Steinglass are the architects where he taught at Black Mountain ill-considered or prejudicially of a 9-story, 180-unit condominium College in North Carolina from 1933 to managed? While there are many project for which construction has 1949, and was chairman of the reasons one can give, I think that, begun on a patch of landfill at the Department of Design at Yale primarily, we as a profession have southern border of BPC, where eight University from 1950 to 1960. His permitted non-professionals to gain other projects are expected to be built photographs, taken while he was far too much control of our livelihood. over the next decade .... The Battery working and studying at the Bauhaus This, in turn, is the direct result of the Park City Authority has funded a and while teaching at Black Mountain, majority of us resenting any activity scholarship program at Columbia include portraits, some of which are of that removes us from our drawing University to increase minority close friends and associates such as boards. We resent lobbying for representation in the real estate Klee, Kandinsky, and Ozenfant, and legislative assistance; we resent development field. Through the some are of architecture and nature. having to manage a business; we Authority's recently created Battery resent marketing ourselves and our Park Minority Developers Assistance Postponment firms. Most of all, we seem to resent Corporation, full scholarships are The third international exhibition and the need to work to protect our own offered in Columbia's Graduate School benefit auction of architects' drawings legitimate interests. of Architecture, Planning, and sponsored by ADPSR/NY announced Preservation, along with full-living in last month's Oculus, page 10, has It doesn't seem to matter whether the stipends and a chance at a one-year been postponed until April. issue is one of poorly run competitions paid internship upon graduation. The or of interior designers end-running ~ first five fellows were enrolled this New Addresses public safety standards, it seems to be semester in the school's master's Hardy Holtzmann & Pfeiffer Associates impossible to rally the architect to his program in real estate development. have opened a Los Angeles office at own self-interest. 811 West 7th Street .... The Call For Entries Landmarks Preservation Commission Competitions will continue to abound The Architectural League of New York has moved to 2 Lafayette Street, 22nd where they are not the appropriate has announced its seventh annual floor, where it will be temporarily vehicle for architect selection. They Young Architects Forum. "This year's headquartered (566-0302) .... Frank will continue to be abusive and theme, 'Hypotheses,' recognizes that D. Ambrosino has established his firm, draining to the profession only so long the early part of an architect's career Ambrosino Architects at 330 E. 59th as architects permit them to be so. could be described as time spent in a Street .... Paul Segal Associates have kind of laboratory, experimenting signed a lease for the top floor of 119 Terrance R. Williams with existing and new theories of Fifth Avenue, to which the firm architecture and design. Projects are expects to move after completing sought that demonstrate the renovation and restoration of the development and testing of an 7,000 square-foot space. OCULUS NYC I AIA JAN 88 CONTINUING EVENTS Send Oculus Calendar information to: EXHIBITION EXHIBITION OTTO WAGNER: DRAWINGS EXHIBITION New York Chapter/A/A, 457 Madison "Scale." Three design groups use The Architecture of Adolf Loos, Exhibition of the turn-of-the-century "Stanford White's New York." Avenue, NY. 10022. scale in the gallery installation to including building models, Viennese architect's drawings. The Inaugural exhibition in the new Oculus welcomes information for the produce "congruent architectural photographs, furniture, and Drawing Center, 35 Wooster St. Gallery of the New York School of calendar pertaining to public events events." John Nichols Gallery, 83 drawings. The Houghton Gallery, 219-2166. Closes Jan. 16. Interior Design, 155 E. 56 St. about architecture and the other design Grand St. 226-1243. Closes Jan.12. The Cooper Union, 7th St. and Third 753-5365. Closes Feb. 5. professions. It is due in writing by the Isl Ave. 353-4220. Closes Jan. 13. GALVESTON ARCHES of the month for the following issue. PRIDE OF PLACE SETTING Seven fantasy arches designed by EXHIBITION Exhibition of contemporary design MIES VAN DER ROHE architects Charles Moore, Cesar Joseph Urban: Vienna/New York. Because of the time lag between for the table top curated by Steven Exhibition, Max Protetch Gallery, Pelli, Stanley Tigerman, Michael Cooper-Hewitt Museum, 860-6868. information received and printed, final Holt. Parsons School of Design, 2 W. 560 Broadway at Prince St. 838-7436. Graves, Helmut Jahn, Boone Powell, Closes March 6. details of events are likely to change. It is 13 St. 741-8900. Closes Jan. 9. Closes Jan. 16. Eugene Aubry. Cooper-Hewitt recommended that events be checked Museum. 860-6868. Closes Jan. 31. with sponsoring institutions before attending. WEDNESDAY6 THURSDAY7 FRIDAYS THE CITY TRANSFORMED New York Art Deco: The Buildings 1925-1940 by Barry S. Lewis in 92nd Street Y lecture series. 6-7:30 pm. at the Central Synagogue Community House, 128 E. 55 St. 966-1100.

TUESDAY 12 WEDNESDAY 13 THURSDAY14 FRIDAY 15 PUBLIC LANDMARKS HEARING THE CITY TRANSFORMED 1891: Death of John Wellborn Root New York's Landmarks Preservation New York Art Deco: The City (1850-1891). Commission open meeting to review 1925-1940 by Barry S. Lewis in 92nd proposal for Central Park West Street Y lecture series. 6-7:30 pm at Historic District designation. 10:30 the Central Synagogue Community pm. Fourth Universalist Society's House, 128 E. 55 St. 996-1100. Church, 4 W. 76 St. (entrance on CPW). Contact: Lillian Ayalla 553-1113. TffESD.AY-1 W]i.;UN]i.;~UAl' :w THlJK~UAI :u OPEN FORUM REM KOOLHAAS/OMA THE CITY TRANSFORMED "Waterfronts and urban access to the Exhibition. Max Protetch Gallery, The Modern Movement's Roots: Le earth," presented by Storefront for 560 Broadway at Prince St. 838-7436. Corbusier and the Bauhaus, Art and Architecture in conjunction Closes Feb. 26. 1910-1930 by Barry S. Lewis in 92nd with the Municipal Art Society's Street Y lecture series. 6-7:30 pm. at competition. Artist Stephen Korns the Central Synagogue Community will moderate. Storefront for Art and House, 128 E. 55 St. 996-1100. Architecture, 97 Kenmare St. 431-5795. EXHIBITION "Long Island Modern: The First Generation of Modernist Architecture on Long Island, 1925-1960." The Octagon Museum, Washington, DC. 202-626-7467. Closes Feb. 28. MONDAY25 TUESDAY26 WEDNESDAY 27 THURSDAY28 FRIDAY29 NYC/AIA BRUNNER DIALOGUES PRESENTATION 1756: Birth of Wolfgang Amadeus DESIGN AESTHETICS: January 30, 1902: British art Suzanne Stephens, 1987 recipient of "The Castle and the Town: The Past, Mozart (1756-1791). THEORY AND PRACTICE historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner born the Chapter's Arnold W. Brunner Present, and Future of Tokyo" by First in 15-Thursday series in which (1902-1983). Grant, second in series of former Professor Takashi Inouye. Co­ C. Ray Smith will explore the recipients. 6 pm. The UrbanCenter, sponsored by Regional Plan aesthetics of design in theory and 457 Madison Ave. 838-9670. Association, Fund for the City of practice in architecture, interior New York, Institute of Public design, and products designed for Administration, and Port Authority interior use. 8 pm. Cooper-Hewitt of NY & NJ. 8-10:30 am. Chemical Museum, 860-6868. Bank, 277 Park Ave. 7th floor. For ,J. reservations: Regional Plan SEMINAR (JAN. 28-29) Association 398-1140. Pricing Interior Design Services and Scheduling and Bud~eting Multiple Interior Design ProJects, the subjects of two programs sponsored by the American Society of Interior Designers. Washington, DC. Pam Jensen: 617-965-0055. MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY THURSDAY 4 EXHIBITION OPEN MEETING (FEB. 4-6) The Photograph's of Josef Albers AIA Committee on Historic taken during the 20s and 30s while at Resources meeting, featuring a the Bauhaus and Black Mountain workshop on masonry restoration. College. The Museum of Modern Art Washington, DC. Contact: Bruce 708-9795. Closes April 5. Kriviskey 202-626-7452. SEMINAR On the building of the Cathedral of St.John the Divine. Dean James Parks Morton will speak on the history of the Cathedral as the first in a series of 8-Monday events. 7-9 pm. Cathedral House conference room. Donation will be requested.

Klee in his studio, Dessau, photo by Josef Albers, 1929, in Museum of Modern A rt exhibition. (Collection of Anni and the Josef Albers Foundation.) 10 NYC/AIA OCULUS

:A.R0UND THE CHAPTER

speakers-many of whom are our own NYCAIA88! chapter members. The programs will Attention-Address be both wide-ranging and extremely Changes by Paul Segal practical, and should be provocative, stimulating, and useful. I would again In the process of "inputting" member "Art in Architecture" is the very remind you to contact either myself or records in our new Macintosh appropriate theme for the 1988 AIA Regina Kelly at the Chapter if you are computers, we have come across a Convention, being held in New York interested in participating. great many discrepancies in for the first time in 21 years. The addresses. (See December Chapter program is being developed through Reports.) The Chapter Membership the collaborative efforts of the Information Wanted Department maintains information National Convention Committee and that includes both residence and the Chapter's '88 Convention Program Florida facilities planner Franklin Hill business address as well as telephone Committee. I feel honored to serve on would like NYC/AIA members' ideas numbers for each. both the National and Chapter level on designing for new instructional Convention Program Committees. technologies (interactive video, When you change either address, computer information systems, please phone the chapter office at The keynote program will be robotics, etc.) to be used in a book 212/838-9670 or send a post card giving presented by Louis Harris, who will us your name, the old address, the new commissioned by the National School examine the future of architecture, address, and the new telephone Boards Association. In a joint venture the arts, and society. Each day of number. At the same time, let us know with PDR Architects and Catalyst programs will include morning · Architects, Hill served as facilities if that is in fact your mailing address. sessions hosted by architects, planner for Orlando's innovative Dr. featuring speakers from outside our PhiTlips High School, described as the While it is hoped that it will happen profession, many of w horn are automatically through one change in "educational city of the future." He nationally respected New Yorkers, the future, right now it is a involved Walt Disney World, Sea preeminent in the fields in which New tremendous help if you let us know World, NASA, and other high-tech York is the world center-the arts, any committees you participate in so corporations in identifying advanced fashion, communications, and finance. that we can adjust those lists as well. technologies and their specific design impact upon high school education. Personalities from the visual, Both the National AIA and NYSAA/ Send information to Franklin Hill & performing, and literary arts will look AIA request that you inform them Associates, 509 Dante Street, Venice, toward the future of their respective separately. There tends to be less FL 34285 (813) 484-3391. field and its relationship to confusion when they get information architecture. Other morning sessions directly from the member concerned. will focus on topics such as practice, lcoming Chapter Events design, and technology. Speakers for Please help to make this membership these programs will include •Monday, January 25, 6 pm. The file as foolproof as possible. economists, media leaders, Urban Center. Suzanne Stephens, government officials, fashion industry 1987 recipient of the Chapter's Arnold personalities, and computer W: Brunner Grant, wiil be the second specialists. Each of the topics speaker in the series of presentations presented over the three days will by former recipients of the Grant. focus first on identifying the issues, second on dealing with the issues, and • The Professional Practice third in looking to the future. Committee, with the help of Francesca Danieli and Frank Hammerstrom of The afternoon programs, focusing on Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum has professional practice, will include such developed a series of three seminars topics as: arts and architecture, for Winter/Spring as follows: management and business, marketing, February 23, "Architects education, design, urban planning case Communicating with Clients: studies, public/private partnership, Opportunity or Dilemma?"; March 29, building types, and expanded services "Licensing of Interior Designers: The and technology. Architect's Perspective;" and April 26, "New Markets: Opportunities or May 15th through 18th promises a Headaches?" All will be'at 5:30 at the most exciting three days of programs Urban Center. with well known and well informed JANUARY 1988 11

;

. - The New York Foundation most famous of our scholarships: New York Foundation for Architecture for Architecture Brunner, Stewardson, Le Brun, NYC/AIA Allwork, and Haskell. These have 457 Madison A venue been awarded with some regularity, New York, New York 10022 by Lenore M. Lucey especially the Brunner and Allwork scholarships, which are bestowed The Board of Directors of the Chapter annually. Many of the other funds are voted early this year to change the given less regularly for various name of the NYC/AIA's Foundation to reasons, including the need to Enclosed is my donation to NYF A: reflect its purpose more accurately. accumulate sufficient interest income Originally called "The New York to produce a reasonable award. Most _$1000 _$500 _$250 Chapter of the American Institute of of the Funds have restrictions against Architects Foundation Inc:," the name invading the principal, and a number _$100 _$ 50 _$ 25 no longer reflects both the scholarship have severely restrictive recipient funds that we administer or the public eligibility criteria. From time to time __Other (please specify) awareness programs we have planned. during 1988, I will report on the The new name is The New York various Funds in depth, providing Foundation for Architecture. some history and a current status report. Name Established in 1967 "for charitable, educational, literary, scientific, and We are grateful to all those who philanthropic purposes, including the contribute to NYF A. I would remind Firm advancement of the profession of you however, that you or your firm do architecture and architectural not have to wait for the Heritage Ball, research service and art ...", the you may make a contribution at any Address Chapter's Foundation has the largest time. Unrestricted gifts can be made endowment among AIA components, to the Heritage Ball Fund; to another second only to the Institute's own specific fund; or, if of sufficient size, to City American Architectural Foundation. establish your own named fund. You Our funds have consisted of primarily can use the form below to make a restricted endowments however, and donation. Should you or your firm State Zip by being so limited, have not been free wish to establish a Fund, please call to assist public awareness programs me at the Chapter to discuss specifics. and the development of general Telephone scholarships.

The name change also reflects the differing points of view of the Chapter and the Foundation. NYC/AIA, a I would like my donation credited to: professional membership organization, is oriented toward __Heritage Ball Fund mutually helpful programs for (unrestricted). architects: it is the members' forum about the profession. NYF A, a non­ _Another fund, please call me to profit charitable corporation, is discuss which one. designed to bring architecture to the public: it is the forum for creating a __A new fund, please call me. greater public awareness and appreciation of architecture.

New funding, from sources such as the Architectural Heritage Ball; Public Membership and Oculus subscriptions; and bequests, gifts, and donations; will allow us to develop an uncommitted endowment to fund the contemplated scholarships and programs.

Many of you are familiar with the 12 NYC/AIA OCULUS

1987 Architectural Heritage Ball

by Lenore M. Lucey JANUARY1988 13

Bitter cold greeted the hearty guests one of the original architects working James Biber Architect; DDA/ who ventured out this year for the for Schultze & Weaver on the Waldorf Architecture Planning; Haines Architectural Heritage Ball, but the Astoria. Also joining us was Robert Lundberg Waehler; Margaret Helfand evening provided much to warm the Sherwood, Resident Manager of the Architects; Kohn Pedersen Fox; spirits. This second year found us Waldorf-Astoria, who accepted the McDonough Nouri & Associates; honoring the Hilton Hotel Corporation Citation of Recognition on behalf of Mitchell/Giurgola; Pasanella & Klein; "in appreciation of the meticulously the Hilton Hotel Corporation. Carl J. Petrilli, AIA, Architect; James researched, delicately preserved, and Stewart Polshek & Partners; The artfully restored Waldorf-Astoria." A Chapter President A. Eugene Kohn Schnadelbach Partnership; and fitting bestowal of the Citation of then spoke on the importance of the Walker Group/CNI. A generous thank Recognition created in support of Ball and the support of our younger you to Max Protetch for his invaluable HERITAGE• PRESERVATION• associates, noting: "This evening of assistance, and our congratulations to SCHOLARSHIP, which is the purpose fellowship represents the profession those who were successful in the of the Ball. at its best- enjoying the camaraderie spirited bidding! of our friends and colleagues, and The glittering Waldorf-Astoria was giving generously of ourselves for the For their generous contributions, we the perfect backdrop for an evening of scholarships that will create the next gratefully acknowledge those who fellowship, scholarship, fundraising, generation of architects." Gene then were Benefactors, Sponsors, and and dancing into the wee hours. proceeded with a mock auction of Donors. An additional note of sincere Cocktails in the East Foyer gave ball­ alleged Waldorf-Astoria memorabilia. appreciation and thanks to Maureen goers time to meet friends and to view Campbell Korves, for her two years of the donated artwork. This year a wide A highlight of the evening was Robert dedicated concern and assistance in selection from the archives and A.M. Stern as master of ceremonies preparing the individual place cards; current work of member firms was for the auction. Stirring up a frenzy of and this year to Eleanor Campbell, auctioned- from a Carnegie Hall bidding activity, Bob alternately whose Palmer-method script added baluster to pop-art serigraphs. accepted, solicited, and volunteered that perfect touch. bids for the eclectic collection. An Dinner in the Grand Ballroom was exciting and also worthwhile event, The auctioned artwork will be on followed by Ball Chair Martin D. this year's auction raised over $20,000 display in the Members Gallery from Raab's welcome and the introduction for the Heritage Ball Fund. late December 1987 through January of honored guests. Among those able 1988. Watch for the announcement. to be with us that night was Emeritus Our appreciation to those who Memb~r Joseph Caponetto, who was generously donated the artwork: 14 NYC/AIA OCULUS

Altman's Midtown Center As this issue goes to press, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has announced a Certificate of Appropriateness public hearing on 22 December 1987 to consider, among other projects, the proposed renovation and expansion of B. Altman & Co. 's department store at Fifth Avenue & 34th Street. The design is by Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates. by Hugh Hardy

Altman's 768,661 square foot deterioration of the French limestone floors contained in a pavilion on the monument to retail business was the used by the building's architects, main roof, and a four story atrium, first department store on Fifth Trowbridge and Livingston. At the located near the original, complete the Avenue, and is still a major anchor of time sections of the cornice were project.' this world famous corridor. Built in removed on 34th and 35th Streets as three phases over eight years (1905, well as on Madison Avenue. Capitals Nine floors of existing retail 1911, 1913) the first section was were simplified, window enforcements operations are reorganized into erected on Fifth Avenue. The principal removed, and decorative detail 450,000 sq. ft. on five floors. The great facade of the second section was coarsened. ground floor expanse, with its block­ completed 420 feet away on Madison long columned vistas, is retained. The Avenue, and the final section filled in Despite these changes in appearance, four facades are cleaned, repaired, and the south corner on Fifth Avenue. Altman's was first considered for re pointed. Windows are repaired or designation before the New York City replaced to match original details. The The original building of thirteen Landmarks Commission in 1982. The ornate glass and cast iron entrance stories once included manufacturing, building received landmark canopies on Fifth Avenue are restored. warehousing, and every form of designation in 1985 with a report that employee amenity possible, from noted, "The B. Altman & Co. Design of the Madison Avenue floors recreation to medical care. It was Department Store Building has a is directly based upon the Trowbridge almost a self-contained city. In the special character, special historical and Livingston original, using the lower levels electricity (both A.C. and and aesthetic interest, and value as same glazed brick and limestone. D.C.) and steam were generated. The part of the development, heritage, and Window details, fenestration patterns, building has its own wells for water cultural characteristics of New York and proportions echo those of this supply. Originally only the first five City." familiar landmark. Every effort is floors were used for retail. The upper made to permit the existing building floors were used for manufacturing Program and the addition to appear as one. This and support functions. The current project marks both a approach is justified by the many restoration of Benjamin Altman's changes in the original building, the Radical alterations in the facade of original building and completion of its incomplete nature of existing Altman's were undertaken in 1936. architectural design. An addition of elevations, and the importance of this This was necessitated by severe six floors on Madison Avenue, three Madison Avenue facade. JANUARY1988 15

A new Madison Avenue elevator lobby Architect: Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer for office tenants is identified by an Associates, Hugh Hardy, FAIA, entrance canopy designed in the same Partner-in-Charge vocabulary as the original ones found Client: KM0-361 Realty Associates on Fifth Avenue. This new entrance is Area: 792,438 Gross SF existing balanced to the south by a similar 189,299 Gross SF proposed addition fenestration pattern and canopy so Consultants: Structural Engineers: that the facade appears symmetrical. Thornton Tomasetti The architectural vocabulary of the Mechanical Engineers: Cosentini addition continues the proportions, Associates scale, and materials of Trowbridge Zoning and Legal Affairs: Brown & and Livingston's original, thus Wood complementing and completing a Construction Manager: Lehrer­ great New York architectural legacy. McGovern Architect of Record: Emery Roth The new pavilion is a three-story Total Lot Area: 82,950 structure of iron and glass that Existing FAR: 10 replaces a hodgepodge of abandoned Proposed FAR: C5-3 District to 150 mechanical equipment, weed strewn feet east of Fifth A venue: 15 surfaces, and a generally unsightly C5-2 District for remainder of lot: 10 roof landscape. Together with a roof Adjusted maximum FAR: 11.79 garden and a running track for the Allowable Floor Area: 977,980 SF building's employees, this currently Plus Mechanical Allowance: 28,339 SF forgotten 33,000 sq. ft. area will give Total Gross Floor Area Allowable: neighboring buildings a significant 1,007,319 SF visual amenity. Total Proposed Floor Area: Retail: 406,153 SF Office: 575,584 SF Building Height (to roof): Existing: 210 ft., 3 in.; Proposed: 286 ft., 6 in. The New York Chapter LeRoy Callender, P .C. of the American Ins.titute of Architects CAD and Project Management Groups, is grateful to the following Computer Systems/Charette Corporation for their sponsorship of Consolidated Brick & Building Supplies, Inc. OCULUS Cosentini Associates Domestic Marble & Stone Corporation Formica Corporation Hudson-Shatz Painting Co., Inc. Imperial Kitchens, Inc. Institute of Design Construction (40th Anniversary 1947-1987) RA License Review J?epartment Kallen & Lemelson, Consulting Engineers John Lagenbacher Co. Inc. Lane's Floor Coverings, Inc. Morse/Diesel, Inc. National Reprographics The Office oflrwin G. Cantor Member Cantor/Seinuk Group

Republic ~levator Company Rose Associates, Inc. Judith Selkowitz Weiskopf & Pickworth