NEW YORK—Next month is your chance to explore and discover the intriguing world of architecture in New York City.
Archtober is a monthlong program that will explore the world of architecture and design in New York City. The Center for Architecture will bring together institutions and industry professionals who will host special tours, films, exhibitions, lectures, a book fair, and open houses throughout the month of October.
The program is in its second year and already has more than 180 planned events, aiming to “promote design excellence.”
Building tours
The Building of the Day series will take a look through some of New York’s premier historic architecture. The free noontime tours led by architects and other design professionals will shed light on a different building each day of October.
Among the selected buildings are the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, the restored Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and the recently restored Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse.
Film
A creative way to experience or get a feel for architecture and design is through film. This year organizers have incorporated an Architecture and Design Film Festival into the Archtober program. Film festival director Kyle Bergman, who is also an architect, said he finds a lot of similarities between architectural design and filmmaking.
The film festival will open Oct. 18 with the world premier of “Design is One: Lella and Massimo Vignelli,” a film based on the two graphic designers and their influential work. “Maybe you'll see the film and be inspired by it” said the film’s director Robert Guerra. “These films will give the spirit of design, to see how it is done.”
FDR Four Freedoms Park
Four decades in the making, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park is set to open Oct. 24. “FDR Four Freedoms Park will be to the East River what the Statue of Liberty is to New York Harbor,” said Gina Pollara, executive director of the park. A tour of the park, located on Roosevelt Island, will be included as part of the Archtober program.
“It seems that more and more people are taking an interest in design,” said Steve Kroeter, editor in chief of Designers & Books. Kroeter will hold a book fair as part of the program later in October.
The month will start off with two exhibitions about 21st century school design, which will be held at the Center of Architecture, just south of Washington Square.
“Why do people come to New York, it’s architecture, it’s about culture,” said Joseph Aliotta, American Institute of Architects New York Chapter president. “There’s a little something for everyone,” Aliotta said.
A full list of Archtober events can be found at www.archtober.org
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