Context\ Contrast

An exhibition exploring the role and realization of new architecture in urban historic districts—examples from New York relevant to cities around the country—will open on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at the American Institute of Architects’ National Headquarters in Washington, DC.

NEW YORK CITY, January 27 – ContextContrast: New Architecture in Historic Districts, 1967-2009 investigates how new buildings and historic districts have learned to coexist in the country’s most culturally and architecturally diverse city. ContextContrast, which will be on view from February 4 until April 28, 2010, was organized by the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Center for Architecture Foundation, in partnership with the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation. The exhibition was on view at the Center for Architecture in New York City from October 2009 to January 2010 before traveling to Washington, DC and will be on view at AIA’s National Headquarters at 1735 New York Avenue, N.W. though April 28, 2010.

The 1965 Landmarks Law laid the groundwork for preserving the city’s architectural history. In that year, Brooklyn Heights became New York City’s first historic district; ninety-nine more districts have since been designated as neighborhoods which should be preserved as cultural assets to the city. But the intent of designating neighborhoods has never been to freeze them. How can neighborhoods evolve while maintaining their historical and architectural character and integrity? NYC Landmarks Commission Chairman Robert B. Tierney said that question “is what makes proposals for new buildings in historic districts so challenging, difficult and enthralling for the Commission.”

Whether contrasting with the celebrated structures around them, cloning the features of their neighbors, or finding some intermediary between traditional modes and contemporary trends, new architecture in historic districts requires nuance and sensitivity. These design efforts must go through an extensive LPC review process and public hearings, then be deemed “appropriate” for the district. ContextContrast considers the history of architectural “appropriateness,” new architecture and historic neighborhoods. “The debate about how historic neighborhoods can accommodate new architecture has sparked heated debate in communities of all sizes,” said George Miller, FAIA, 2010 President of the American Institute of Architects. “I am excited for our nation’s architectural and political leaders to see how New York has successfully addressed this ever-present issue. We can all learn from ContextContrast’s examples.”

The exhibition in Washington documents the cityscapes of three historic districts: Brooklyn Heights, SoHo, and South Street Seaport. Original photographs show the many ways new buildings have woven themselves into the fabric of their districts—one residential, one waterfront, and one retail neighborhood—through their character, scale and texture. “The Landmarks Preservation Foundation is pleased to support an exhibition that promotes its goal of educational outreach about preservation and architectural history,” said Christina Davis, Chair of the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation. “But ContextContrast equally emphasizes new architecture” explained Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, the 2010 President of AIA New York. “As an organization committed to both historic preservation and architectural innovation, I am glad that the our exhibition, which explores how New York’s architectural history and its future have learned to share the same city blocks, will travel to Washington. Hopefully, New York’s experiences can inform the District’s—and the nation’s—conversations about issues of architectural preservation and innovation.”

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Please contact Emily Nemens at enemens@aiany.org or 212-358-6126 or Scott Frank at 202626-7467or sfrank@aia.org. Exhibition images, press tours, and interviews for ContextContrast will be available for members of the press.

EXHIBITION ON VIEW

ContextContrast will be on view from February 4 to April 28, 2010. AIA’s National Headquarters are located at 1735 New York Avenue, N.W. between 17th Street N.W. and 18th Street N.W. in the District of Columbia. The galleries at AIA’s National Headquarters are open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

EXHIBITION CREDITS
Curator: Rachel Carley
Exhibition Design: Moorhead & Moorhead
Graphic Design: PS New York
Photography: Elizabeth Felicella
Exhibition and related programs are organized by AIANY, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Center for Architecture Foundation in Partnership with the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.