OCULUS on current new york architecture

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Volume 43, Number 4, January 1982

. As 1982 begins, Philip Johnson's allusion to Alberti nears completion atop the AT&T BuiWing. page2 Oculus OCULUS Chapter Reports

Volume 43, Number 4, January 1982 by George Lewis

Oculus Editor: C. Ray Smith Managing Editor: Marian Page Art Director: Abigail Sturges Typesetting: Susan Schechter

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects The Urban Center, 457 Madison A venue, New York, New York 10022 212-838-9670

George S. Lewis, Executive Director

Executive Committee 1981-82: Joseph Wasserman, President Arthur I. Rosenblatt, First Vice President Tician Papachristou, Vice President Robert Siegel, Vice President Terrance Williams, Secretary Alan Schwartzman, Treasurer Frank Eliseo William Ellis Theodore Liebman Nancy A. Miao Stuart Pertz Mildred F. Schmertz

NYC/AIA Staff Cathanne Piesla Carol Jones Jeannette Manzo Eileen McGrath Compensation Survey visiting instructors, Huber Bueher © 1981 The New York Chapter of the and Benjamin Evans, were described American Institute of Architects. Light will be shed on how well, or how poorly, employees of architectural as "enthusiastic and well prepared," firms are paid when the results of the and comments included, "One of the recently mailed Compensation Survey most worthwhile seminars that I have are tabulated. This should provide us attended," (architect Ed Shiffer) to, with an essential yardstick for "Got a little lost on the analysis gauging how we measure up to other section" (no name please). The professions and to each other. The workshop included a comprehensive survey forms were sent to all firms, workbook and other valuable and all are urged to respond by reference materials. Another Level 2 January 15. If a firm did not receive a Workshop is tentatively being Compensation Survey form, it should scheduled for the spring, to be call the Chapter office for one. A long followed by a Level 3a program that Wall Street Journal article December will stress methods useful at the 7 on the economics of architectural design stage dealing with issues of practice notes, "What emerges is a siting, massing, spatial organization, picture of a profession that is and systems. fragmented and one whose practitioners are underpaid compared A New, Comprehensive Chapter Design with persons of comparable Awards Program responsibilities and educational Considering the high level of backgrounds." excellence of New York architects' work, it is surprising that the Chapter Energy Workshop has never organized a large-scale Forty-eight architects attended the awards program. Our Residential 2-day AIA Level 2 Energy in Design Awards have been successful Architecture Workshop at the end of and well publicized, but now-this October, and it got good reviews. The cont'd. p. 10, col 2 Oculus page3

The spirit of a century of Names and News architects and tyro-architects shines forth in the exhibition "The Making of an Architect" at the National Academy of Design till January 15th. Photo: Courtesy Columbia School ofArchitecture

The New York Society of Architects presented James Marston Fitch the Sidney L. Strauss Memorial Award for outstanding achievement for the benefit. of the architectural profession, at its Annual Awards dinner last month .... Ulrich Franzen & Associates are architects of a twin 74-story tower residential project on the Jersey City waterfront .... Fox & Fowle are architects of a planned 30-story office building at 175 Water Street. The building's 400-foot height is planned to be consistent with other buildings along Water Street, and to serve as a uniform background for the South Street Seaport .... Haines Lundberg Waehler were awarded a certificate by the New York Landmarks Conservancy for the restoration of two recently designated Landmark buildings by McKim, Mead & White on West 54th Street, and their client, the U.S. Trust Company, was given the Conservancy's 1981 Chairman's Award .... The Edelman Partnership are architects of a 14-story, 156-unit housing project for the elderly at Grand and Norfolk Stre~ts sponsored by the Chinatown Planning Council .... Iffland Kavanagh Waterbury are architects with Beyer Blinder Belle, associate architects, for an expansion of the CBS Broadcast Center facilities on West 56th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues .... Architect and industrial designer George Nelson has been appointed chairman of the 32nd International Design Conference in Aspen, June 13-18, the theme of which is "The Prepared Professional." Program director of the 1982 conference is Jacqueline Nelson, who collaborates with her husband in George Nelson Associates .... Der Scutt will speak on "Impact of Zoning on High Rise Architecture" at the seminar on "High-Rise Construction," February 1-2, sponsored by the Construction Group Metropolitan Section, American Society of Civil Engineers .... The U.S. Department of Interior declared the Morosco Theater eligible for Federal Landmark status in November. The decision, however, does not guarantee the Morosco's preservation, which is cont'd. p. 10, col. 3 page4 Oculus

Romaldo Giurgola Wins AIA Gold Medal for 1982

our profession as an educator and sketches will persuade you that he has administrator, as an author, as a few equals as a draftsman. superlative draftsman, as an enthusiastic AIA participant, and as a His firm, Mitchell-Giurgola, is known designer who pushes the aesthetic to all of us. Their list of National AIA limits. He is respected and admired by Honor Awards includes Columbus 'East the young and the not so young and by High School in Columbus, Indiana; the Modernists and Post-Modernists in Adult Learning Research Laboratory Europe, North and South America, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; and the • Asia and . Th~ foregoing Penn Mutual Towers in . would probably be sufficient Their work, which has been shown in recognition for the AIA Gold every major architectural publication - Medalist, but what distinguishes him in the world, includes commissions in from any of his colleagues in the last Italy, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. several decades is that he is a Mitchell-Giurgola received the 1976 Romaldo Giurgola, F AJA, a member practitioner and partner in a firm AIA Firm Award. of the New York Chapter and a whose receipt of awards and whose partner in Mitchell/Giurgola competition wins is without equal. Romaldo Giurgola's firm's success in Associates with offices in New York large-scale competitions is almost and Philadelphia, has won the AJA Romaldo Giurgola's accomplishments unbelievable. His firm won the AIA Gold Medal/or 1982. Nominations for in the world of academia have been Headquarters Competition and the the meda~ which is the Institute 's great: he has taught architectural Wainwright State Office Complex highest honor, are made by national design at Cornell, Penn, Columbia, Competition against national fields; board members and require a vote of Virginia, and at the American and, of course, the Australian three quarters of the members of the Academy in . He chaired the Parliament House Competition was a national board. division of architecture at Columbia world wide event. for five years; he is resident professor Previous Gold Medalists from the at the American Academy in Rome. A particularly endearing quality of their New York Chapter have been Wallace He is on Princeton's advisory council work is that it exhibits and combines a K. Harrison (1967), Marcel Breuer and is a member of the American profound respect and acknowledgment (1968), Philip Cortelyou Johnson Academy of Arts and Letters. His of the past with a truly crisp and (1978), and IM. Pei (1979). title "Commendatore", conferred by optimistic view of the future. It was the President of Italy, was for special thus no accident that Giurgola's firm The nomination of Mr. Giurgola was merit in the field of architecture and was chosen as architect for the US made by William A. Rose, Jr., F AJA, teaching. Capitol Master Plan. who is one of the two AJA board members from New York State. An honor that few Americans would All of the foregoing achievements are Excerpts from his letter of nomination readily recognize- because of its the result of Romaldo Giurgola's follow: uniqueness-is Romaldo Giurgola's ability as a designer who works at election as a member of the what a critic has called "the fine It is my privilege to nominate Academia Nazionale di San Luca in cutting edge." He is an architect of Romaldo Giurgola, F AIA for the 1982 Rome. This international academy is whom Paul Goldberger, New York Gold Medal of the American Institute every bit as distinguished as the Times architectural critic, has said, "is of Architects. Joining me as co­ French Legion of Honor, and perhaps ... concerned with the question of nominators are Vice Presidents more so because it is older. Election is finding new and more perfect ways to Parker and Notter, Secretary Harmon based on outstanding individual achieve the 'delight' part of Vitruvius' and Directors Martin, Busby, Nelson, contribution to the arts. Included tripartite definition of architecture as Gramman, and Monticciolo. among its former members are commodity, firmness, and delight." Bernini and Bramante. Though born in Born in Rome, Romaldo Giurgola Italy, Romaldo Giurgola had to qualify I urge you to award the 1982 Gold graduated from the University of as a foreigner, because he is now an Medal of the AIA to Romaldo Rome in 1948, suma cum laude, and American citizen. Giurgola. received his Masters Degree from Columbia, which he attended as a Among Romaldo Giurgola's writings Fullbright Fellow in 1951. are his book on Gold Medalist , first published in 1975 and now Since then his career has indeed been available in six languages. As you multifaceted. He has contributed to review his exhibits, I am sure that Giurgola's brilliantly executed Oculus page5

Gwathmey Siegel & Assoc. AIA Honor Goes to Win AIA Architectural Firm Oppositions Quarterly Award

administrators. We nominate them because the result of this collaboration has produced wonderful buildings and also because their method of work and their dedication to the process of making architecture is equally extraordinary.

The initial design work is undertaken entirely by Gwathmey and Siegel working intimately-at the same desk -together, thrashing out concepts. These are developed by the studio, under-the direction of an associate, but the partners remain close to each For the third year in a row a New job, making sure that the design NYC/AIA nominated the quarterly York firm has won the AJA national concept is realized in every aspect publication Oppositions for an award honoring an architectural firm. down to the &mallest detail. One Institute Honor "recognizing an This year the award will go to thinks of this kind of work process as individual or an organization Gwathmey Siegel & Associates; in being that of a small office with a responsible for a specific project previous years recipients have been relatively insignificant output; that is related to architecture." Oppositions, Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates not the case here. The work includes which was started by the Institute for (1981) and Edward Larrabee Barnes 36 completed residences and 4 Architecture and Urban Studies in (1980). apartments, 17 commercial projects, 3 1973, has been awarded an Institute low cost housing developments, 22 Honor as, in the words of the The award is given for a firm "in office interiors, 15 commercial nominating letter, "a unique which the continuing coUaboration interiors (including stores, publication that provides a forum for among individuals has been the showrooms, and restaurants), and 10 scholarly ideas and criticism of principal force in consistently institutional commissions. A total of architecture." producing distinguished architecture 107 jobs are completed or in for a period of 10 years. " construction ... Oppositions has published 22 issues of about 150 pages each since its Excerpts from the NYC/AJA Awards Each job is considered afresh and founding, and has been acclaimed as Committee letter of nomination valued on its own terms. Its unique the most scholarly publication on follow: aspects of program and site are fully architecture that is produced in this explored; the design is developed with country. Since Oppositions 3, Julia The New York Chapter of AIA is a rigorous concern for economic Bloomfield as managing editor has pleased to nominate Gwathmey Siegel feasibility, appropriate scale, and guided the quarterly. Editorial and Associates for the Architectural expression with a consistent advisors are Peter Eisenman, Kurt W. Firm Award. It will hardly serve any understanding of the technical and Forster, Kenneth Frampton, Mario purpose to review in detail the works environmental circumstances of the Gandelsonas, and Anthony Vidler. The of this firm. They are well known to all particular job. The jobs are detailed associate editor is Joan Ockman. of us, having received dozens of and supervised during construction Massimo Vignelli is Design Director. a wards over the years for design with utmost care and an almost fanatic excellence. Virtually all their concern for quality. Since Oppositions 5, the quarterly has buildings have been illustrated in been published for the IAUS by MIT major architectural publications. That The firm of Gwathmey Siegel Press. In its letter of nomination, in itself must signify that all the work, reaffirms in its work-and in its work NYC/AIA concluded, "Oppositions is a not just isolated examples, benefits process - a commitment to the highest remarkable magazine for both its from the same skillful and dedicated standards of architecture that we, as a superior visual quality and its literary concern. profession, have to offer. quality."

The partnership of Charles Respectfully submitted, Awards Gwathmey and Robert Siegel, old high Committee: Joseph Wasserman, AIA, school chums, was started in 1969. Chairperson; Hugh Hardy, F AIA; Today it consists of 25 persons, John Hejduk, F AIA; Barbara N eski, including the two partners, 14 other AIA; James Stewart Polshek, F AIA; registered architects (of whom 3 are Paul Rudolph, F AIA. associates), 7 draftsmen, and 2 OCULUS NYC I AIA JAN 82 CONTINUING EVENTS FRIDAYl Oculus welcomes information for the BERENICE ABBOTT: THE 20s AND 30s THE ARCHITECTURE OF ILLUSION SUBURBS calendar pertaining to public events about Exhibition includes Abbott's Exhibition highlighting the projects Exhibition on architecture of the architecture and the other design documentation of a changing New and proposals of Richard Haas for planned American suburb. Cooper­ professions. It is due by the 7th of the York between 1929 and 1939. healing urban scars. The Municipal Hewitt Museum, 2 E. 91 St. 860-6868. month for the following month's issue. International Center of Photography, Art Society in the Urban Center, 457 Closes Jan. 24. Because of the time lag between 1130 Fifth Ave. at 94 St. 860-1783. Madison Ave. 935-3960. Closes Jan. 15. information received and printed, final Closes Jan.10. THE MOVE TO IMPROVE: details of events are likely to change. It is MANHATTAN ADDITIONS BANANA KELL Y'S PIONEERS recommended, therefore, that events be THE MAKING OF AN ARCHITECT, Exhibition of drawings and mpdels of Exhibition of urban revitalization in checked with the institutions before 1881-1981 two apartment buildings by Diana the South Bronx. The Municipal Art attending. Centennial exhibition, Columbia Agrest and Mario Gandelsonas. The Society in the Urban Center, 457 Graduate School of Architecture at Lobby, 359 Lexington Ave. at 41 St. Madison Ave. 935-3960.Closes Jan. 30. Send Oculus Calendar information to: National Academy of Design, Fifth Closes Jan. 15. New York Chapter/AJA, 457 Madison Ave. and 89 St. 369-4880. Closes Avenue, NY. 10022. Jan.15.

MONDAY4 TUESDAY 5 WEDNESDAY6 THURSDAY7 FRIDAYS RENEWING NEW YORK: RUSSIAN AND OTHER ORIGINAL SOUTHERN COMFORTS THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT POSTERS OF THE AVANT GARDE IN 12-day workshop tour in Southern Lecture by John Hightower, first of a THE 20s AND 30s architecture, urban design, new lunchtime series to celebrate the Exhibition. Max Protetch Gallery, decorative arts, history, and regional city's successes, sponsored by The 37 W. 57 St. 838-7436. Closes Fe!:>. 6. culture, sponsored by Pratt Institute, Municipal Art Society at the Urban Jan. 8-20. Information: 685-3754 or Center,457 Madison Ave.12:30-1:30. 20th-CENTURY BOOKS ON 636-3453. 935-3960. ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGNS Exhibition. Max Protetch Gallery, 37 W. 57 St. 838-7436. Closes Feb. 6. (The Protetch Gallery has postponed the Venturi, Rauch, & Scott-Brown exhibition of architectural drawing from Jan. until Sept. 1982) MONDAYll TUESDAY12 WEDNESDAY 13 THURSDAY14 FRIDAY 15 AN OVERVIEW OF OLMSTED PARKS RENEWING NEW YORK: BANANA NATIONAL TRUST HONOR AWARDS Lecture in series sponsored by The KELLY, THE SOUTH BRONX Deadline for nominations to recognize Parks Council. 6 pm, Urban Center, Panel discussion in lunchtime series significant achievements in 457 Madison Ave. Reservations are to celebrate the city's successes, preservation, conservation, requested: 838-9410. sponsored by The Municipal Art restoration or interpretation of the Society at the Urban Center, 457 built and maritime environments and TAILORED IMAGES Madison Ave. 12:30-1:30. 935-3960. cultural landscapes of the U.S. 1982 New York photographs by John Honor Awards Program, National Albok. Muse um of the City of New Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 York, Fifth Ave. at 103 St. Mass. Ave. NW, Washington, DC Closes May 4. 20036. 202-673-4000. CITY CLUB BARD AWARDS PRESENTATION Guest speaker: Tom Wolfe. CUNY Auditorium, 33 W. 42 St. 5 pm. Wine and cheese $JO. For reservations: MONDAY18 TUESDAY19 WEDNESDAY 20 THURSDAY 21 FRIDAY22 ROBERT ADAM AND HIS STYLE RENEWING NEW YORK: ROLE OF THE BARRIER-FREE DESIGN Exhibition of original drawings, ST MARK'S IN THE BOWERY CONSULTANT IN International, interdisciplinary, 3-day furniture, and silver by the Scottish Slide lecture by Renee Woods, St. HOSPITAL PLANNING conference focusing on the concept of architect-designer and his circle. Mark's archivist, and Stephen Facey, barrier-free design, organized by the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, 2 E. 91 St. director of reconstruction, in TODAY National Center for a Barrier-Free 860-6868. Closes Apr. 11. lunchtime series to celebrate the Lecture by Joseph Environment, the Landscape city's successes, sponsored by The Blumenkranz, AIA. 12:30 Architecture Foundation, and the Municipal Art Society at the Urban pm, NYC/AIA, Urban Association of Collegiate Schools of Center, 457 Madison Ave. 12:30-1:30. Center, 457 Madison Ave. Architecture. United Nations 935-3960. Information: 838-9670. Headquarters. For information and registration forms: Sherry Barndollar, Landscape Architecture Foundation, 1717 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036. 202-775-9426.

MONDAY25 TUESDAY26 WEDNESDAY 27 THURSDAY28 FRIDAY 29 RENEWING NEW YORK: THE BRONX RIVER RESTORATION Slide lecture by Alex Horn, director of long-term planning at the Bronx River Restoration, in lunchtime series to celebrate the city's successes, sponsored by The Municipal Art Society at the Urban Center, 457 Madison Ave. 12:30-1:30. 935-3960.

MONDAYlFEB TUESDAY 2 FEB WEDNESDAY 3 FEB HIGH-RISE CONSTRUCTION MICHAEL C. ROCKEFELLER WING 2-day seminar sponsored by the ATTHEMET Construction Group Metropolitan Opening of the new wing, a 42,000 Section of the American Society of square foot exhibition space devoted Civil Engineers (Feb 1-2), 4-9 pm. to the arts of Africa, the Pacific United Engineering Center, 345 E. 47 Islands, Precolumbian and Native St. Information: Joseph Leavey, America. The Metropolitan Museum 972-0720. of Art, Fifth Ave. at 82 St. page 8 Oculus

Architects' Fees and New York City

At a meeting of the NYC/AJA City 1. While partners' allowable salary percent to 35 percent for upfront Agencies Committee with the NYC would rise from $35 to $50 per hour, it portions of work unfortunately has the Mayor's Office of Construction on still is based on "partner draw" and reverse affect on desired October 1, 1981, the efforts of the recognizes none of the normal compensation. Due to the escalation Chapter to improve conditions under overheads of partner participation in provisions of contracts, which have which architect-consultants work for City projects. The proposal is a traditionally underestimated the City came to a culmination. The nondecision. Few, if any, partners in construction costs, this provision will result, from the Chapter's point of the City draw at the rate of $2,000 per result in reducing the fees received by view, was almost completely week, and certainly none of the up to 2.5 percent. Until such time as unsatisfactory. In view of the impasse, individuals in the smaller firms, whose realistic budget estimates are the following letter was written by participation the City desires on its provided by the City, or until the Martin D. Raab, Chairman of the projects, receives this level of contracts are based on actual Chapter's City Agencies Committee, compensation. construction costs, this provision to Charles Smith, Director of the serves exactly the opposite purpose of Mayor's Office of Construction: The proposal does not accomplish the our discussions. It penalizes City's purpose of encouraging the consultants working for the City and I am writing you to summarize the participation of partner time in City further discourages their participation material that was presented to the work, fails to recognize the cost of in City projects. representatives of the AIA on October providing services, and fails to 1st by your Task Force Committee and encourage any further participation 3. The increase of the allowable to express the negative feelings of the by principals in the performance of multiple from 2.2 percent to 2.25 Chapter in regard to the outcome of consulting service for the City. percent was given without any data this current round of negotiations Continued shortsightedness and lack base as to actual costs of consultants, between ourselves and the City of touch with the realities of practice or justification. The agreed-to study agencies and our inability to support permeate this decision, and it causes has never been undertaken by the the decisions reached in these severe disappointment to the Chapter. Comptroller's office, which failed to matters. A point-by-point summary provide its format (see below and follows: 2. The increase of payments from 25 attached letter to you, dated

Comparative City Fees for Architects' Services

New York 1 Boston2 Buffalo3 Chicago Detroit5 Philadelphia6 San Francisco 1 Syracuse8 CS29B

Multiple of 2.2 2.5 2.8 2.65 2.5 Direct Payroll

Fee Based on% on Const. Cost 30,000 8.75 11.0 12.0'a 7.26 4b 10.0 100,000 7.22 11.0 12.0 7.26 10.0 300,000 6.23 10.46 9.0 6.84 9.15 1,000,000 5.42 9.0 7.8 5.93 8.0 3,000,000 4.73 7.8 6.2 5.07 7.45 10,000,000 4.23 6.33 5.7 4.76 30,000,000 3.87 5.3 4.6 100,000,000 3.33 4.6

Notes 1 Does not include construction administration. Reduce by from 10% to 25% for below average complexity. Increase by up to 10% for complex projects. Increase by up to 50% for alterations. 2 Fees shown are "B" rates (court houses, libraries, etc.) for "basic services," including periodic inspections. "A" 38% lower; "C" 20% higher; "D" 46% higher (these for $1,000,000 projects). 3 No published schedule; fees negotiated. •a Includes full supervision. •b Not including continuous on-site inspection. 5 No published schedule; fees negotiated. Maximum cap on hourly rate: $50. 6 For "basic services" similar to AIA contract. This schedule is used as starting point in negotiating for full service; only in unusual cases is 10% exceeded. Fees negotiated for alterations. 7 No published schedule; fees negotiated following selection of architect. 8 No published schedule; fees negotiated. Oculus page 19 An Update on City Fees from City Agencies Committee

by Terrance Williams and Arthur Rosenblatt November 3, 1980). How, in fact, this effort to establish the data base In response to Martin Raab's letter decision was reached is a mystery. It required for a study of the fee basis (this page), a meeting took place on fails to recognize specific data upon which New York City awards November 24 in the office of Charles submitted by the Chapter about the contracts for architectural/engineering Smith, the Director of the Mayor's multiple being paid by other work." This offer was not acted upon. Office of Construction. Attending the government organizations, and it is meeting, in addition to Mr. Smith and contrary to investigations made by 2. On June 24, 1981, I wrote a letter to the Chapter's City Agencies City representatives in Albany.·The Arthur Wrubel enclosing a chart Committee, were Walter Prawzinsky, resulting decision is contrary to the (facing page, bottom) that summarized 2nd Deputy Comptroller, and other facts presented about multiples and is information obtained by our representatives of City agencies. not compatible with the good faith organization regarding the fee policies that all parties appeared to bring to of seven other cities, compared with At this meeting it was mutually earlier meetings of this committee. CS29B. I pointed out a significant agreed that inequities do exist in the ·discrepancy between the compensation present City architectural fee 4. The failure to modify the provided in other cities and CS29B. schedule. It was further agreed to percentage schedule of CS29B is a This information was obtained by the continue these Chapter/City Agency cause of severest disappointment to Chapter at some effort and it was negotiations in the hope of making the us. The comment of one of the City's neither acknowledged nor, so far as City of New York's fee schedule representatives that consultants were we know, discussed at the City level. comparable to those of other major enjoying too high a profit on City work The figures speak for themselves and cities throughout the nation. As a flies in the face of the reality that City should not be ignored. result of this November 24th meeting work returns little, if any, profit and is the following observations should be the lowest paid work of any type done In summary, we can only express keen noted: by our members for comparable disappointment at the outcome of this organizations. We therefore would process. Knowing that it will not occur A) The Comptroller's office no longer continue to experience a fee erosion again for many years, I can but mourn initiates design consultant contract due to inflation, while City agencies the failure of those in decision-making audits. Therefore, the Chapter's offer demand added work as problems roles in the City to appreciate the of representative audits was of no become more complex and contribution that the profession value in these negotiations. technologically sop his tica ted. makes to realization of City goals. The Furthermore, Mr. Prawzinsky noted diminished ability of the City to obtain that no audits have been initiated in 5. Finally, the agreement provides the best services, and the best efforts the past 5 years. monthly payments to consultants on of those who do in fact accept contracts, contracts where present payments are must be a concern to those involved in B) Mr. Prawzinsky informed the stipulated by stages. This will relieve the process and a concern that extends Chapter that fee schedules established consultants of the current burden of beyond the financial arrangements. under CS29B, specifically the 2.2 financing City work, the cost of which overhead multiple rate and principal's has never been recognized by the Until the value of professional time at $35/hr, were not rigidly Comptroller's office, and is the only services is recognized, especially in enforced, and in fact were "violated welcomed outcome of this process. view of the fact that on a life-cycle regularly". All design professionals basis they involve less than 1/2 of 1 doing business with the City of New We have done all we can to cooperate percent of the cost of facilities, we do York are advised that negotiated fee with you, and we are seriously not believe that the City will be able schedules for "study contracts" are disappointed over the City's failure to to get the best available services and acceptable and are welcomed. respond to two efforts that the consequently the most for its Chapter has made toward resolving construction dollar. It is a question of C) Recognizing the fact that study the issues. These are: architectural excellence. Since you get contracts represent the smallest share what you pay for, and you pay less of City work, the primary focus of the 1. At a meeting in your office on than anyone else, we are disturbed by meeting was directed toward March 3, 1980, at which you and the continued shortsightedness that restructuring the percentage of Deputy Comptroller Prawzinsky were undermines the manner in which City construction cost design fee curve. present, it was tentatively agreed that capital funds are expended. The major problem before the a study of consultant's actual costs Chapter is to establish what, if any, was in order. Subsequently, at the If what we learned at the October 1 differential exists between the City's request, the Chapter, through meeting constitutes an accomplished inflation rate of construction in New my letter to you dated November 3, fact, which we in no way could York and the cost of providing design 1980 (attached), submitted a list of support, it is our suggestion that gains services. offices "willing to enter into might be achieved in other areas cont'd. p. 10, coL 1 discussions with the Comptroller in an cont'd. p. 10, coL 1 page 10 Oculus

Fees from the City Chapter Reports Names and News cont'd. from p. 9 cont'd. from p. 3 under your control. Of particular threatened by demolition to make way interest is the possibility of instituting for the long-delayed Portman Hotel procedures to accurately estimate the .... To mark the official beginning of cost of City work. It has been the construction of Battery Park City last continued experience of our profession month, Governor Carey, Mayor Koch, that consultant contracts are based on Battery Park City Authority chairman woefully underestimated construction and president Richard A. Kahan, and costs, and that no suitable Olympia & York president Paul methodology has been created within Reichman started a pile driver on the the City agencies to assure, in the site .... A study tour throughout early stages of planning, that costs of France this summer (June 1-30), will construction accurately reflect the concentrate on design problems that scope of work. This condition must be French architects have to solve within rectified to avoid consultants' fees At the conference "Midtown: Testing the Zoning a historical environment. Limited to being based on underestimated Propo s a~ "which was organized by Metropolis 27, the tour will cost $1 ,500. For construction costs. If you wish to magazine and co-sponsored by the Chapter, case application: Isabelle Gournay, 420 studies of how the proposed zoning would affect proceed on this particular matter, we development were included with a gaming Temple St., New Haven, Ct. 06511, shall be happy to offer any assistance exercise. Among the participants, Patrick Ping­ 203-772-1178 .... The Cooper Union for that you might deem appropriate. Tze Too of the City Planning Department, the Advancement of Science and Art Chapter President Joseph Wass erman. and honored the 90th birthday of Irwin S. Michae l Kazan of Gruzen & Partners calculate dayligh t exposure. Photo: S haron Lee R yder Chanin, architect of the 56-story Art An Update on City Fees Deco Chanin Building, by naming its cont'd. from p. 2 architecture school for him. Chanin spring-there will be an Awards was a 1915 engineering graduate of cont'd. from p. 9 Program to include built work of all Cooper Union ... . Doris Chanin In order to resolve this issue, the types. A distinguished jury is being Freedman, 53, daughter of Irwin S. Chapter and the City have agreed to named, and it is expected that the Chanin, died on November 26th. She review detailed data regarding the results will attract wide attention. had been in a coma since 1979 increase in real costs of office Watch for the formal announcement, following surgery. Chairman of the operation since the cost fee curve which will be mailed soon. Public Art Fund, Inc., the first adjustment by the City was made director of the New York City about a decade ago. Concurrently, the Architectural School Scholarships Department of Cultural Affairs, Comptroller's office will review the The Scholarship Committee, John former president of the Municipal Art impact of "bracket creep" as a means Hagmann, chairman, has awarded the Society and of City Walls, Inc., and a of justifying an adjustment to the fee 1981-82 Women's Auxiliary Eleanor member of Community Board 7, Mrs. curve. Allwork Scholarships totaling $13,200 Freedman was a major force behind to 29 students in the nine accredited the creation of the Urban Center. She This meeting represented an schools in the State. This program was was named an honorary member of important step forward in clarifying made possible by the remarkable the AIA last spring for rendering presumed misunderstandings and in $200,000 bequest of our late member "distinguished service to the restructuring the continuance of the Ronald Allwork. There were 29 $400 architectural profession." Chapter's negotiations with the City. awards, to students in each of the five It is now clear that there is, on the city schools and one each to the four part of the City of New York, a schools upstate. In addition, Ernie willingness to resolve the inequities of Glapion of the Columbia School of the existing fee schedules. Architecture received a supplementary $1600 scholarship for Thanks are due Martin Raab and his having submitted the best design of Committee's perseverance in the those whose school work was pursuit of this matter. submitted. The Committee is now ready to make regular annual awards and will invite candidates this spring for the 1982-83 school year. Oculus page 11

2 Current Views of Midtown Architecture

1. Edward Barnes 's IBM cantilever now hangs out dramatically over its corner.

2. Down Madison at 54th Street, Barnes has taken no chances with his other cantilever.

3. From the eighth floor across the street, AT&T's Pazzi Chapel entrance brings a new scale to Madison Avenue, as well as to Brunelleschi. All photos except as noted: Stan Ries

3 page 12 Oculus

The piece taken from the ground floor cantilever of Barnes 's George Klein Building at 595 Madison is on top of the tower.