CELEBRATING ONE YEAR AT VAN ALEN BOOKS

Last April, over 700 people spilled into the streets for the launch of Van Alen Books—affirming our belief that New York City was ready, and just as excited as we were, for a space where architecture and design publications could be discovered and discussed. And not only that, but where people like you could join us in embracing the written word and its power to inspire and incite fresh ideas for how we shape the world around us.

Since then, we’ve been bowled over by your outrageous enthusiasm through over 70 public programs, thousands of books sold, and countless conversations. From buoyant book launches and thoughtful panel discussions to children’s activities and events across the city, you’ve provoked us, made us smile, and convinced us that a rich, wide-ranging dialogue about architecture and design matters now more than ever.

With the success of our first year, we’re embarking on a new season of hot-off-the-press titles, flourishing partnerships with publishers and institutions, and programs that engage our ever-growing community of friends and fellow-travelers.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of The J. M. Kaplan Fund and VAI’s Van Alen Circle members. We also want to thank the authors, editors, critics, curators, scholars, and designers whose vision and hard work fill the pages of our books and fire our imaginations. You can find just a few of them here, and more on our Facebook and Vimeo pages where we post our many memorable talks and events.

We especially want to salute the publishers and distributors who support us, including AA Publications, Actar, Birkhäuser, D.A.P., Gingko Press, Idea Books, Lars Müller Publishers, MIT Press, Monacelli Press, W.W. Norton, Prestel, Princeton Architectural Press, RAM Publications, Random House, Rizzoli, and many more.

And thanks to Brooklyn Brewery, who is helping kick off our second year by lovingly providing beverages for all Van Alen Books events.

Above all, we thank you—everyone who’s stopped by to climb the yellow steps and engaged, debated, browsed, and celebrated the act of reading and writing the public realm. By all means, keep your enthusiasm and ideas coming. We’ll look forward to seeing you again in 2012!

MAY 19: BRUNCH AND DESIGN SPEED DATING RETURN!

Don’t miss the latest round of our portfolio review series, kicking off this Saturday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. We can’t wait to present this edition’s panel of jurors, including Leslie Gill of Leslie Gill Architect, Scott Stowell of OPEN, Marc Turkel of Leroy Street Studio, and Bryan Young of Young Projects. They’ll be speed-dating four terrific emerging designers: Caio Barboza, Daphne Lasky, Caleb Lowery, and Leo Mulvehill.

If you haven’t yet been dazzled by Design Speed Dating, we invite you to take in this unique dialogue between razor-sharp critics and some of the brightest up-and-coming designers around. Come eavesdrop on the daters and discover how design ideas can be marshaled for maximum public impact. Plus, mingle with the Van Alen community over mimosas and festive brunch treats. Everyone is welcome! Just RSVP here.

READING THE CITY AT VAN ALEN BOOKS

We continue this month’s provocative conversations at Van Alen Books starting tonight, Thursday, May 17, with Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzan in conversation with contributor and Studio-X co-director Geoff Manaugh about No More Play: Conversations on Urban Speculation in Los Angeles and Beyond. Based on conversations with leading L.A. artists and intellectuals, Maltzan’s wide-ranging new title explores real-estate speculation, infrastructure, the urban experience, and more. Come back on Thursday, May 24 to celebrate the launch of Dirt, PennDesign’s publication looking at dirt not as filth but as a medium, a metaphor, a material, a narrative. Join dean Marilyn Jordan Taylor along with managing editor Cathryn Dwyre and designer K. T. Anthony Chan for this look at dirt from a landscape architect’s perspective.

Hit the streets for the last in our series with John Hill on Saturday, May 26 at 1:00 p.m., when the prolific blogger and author of the Guide to Contemporary New York City Architecture leads a walking tour of the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, including new work on and around the High Line. The tour is $15—and free for Van Alen members! Finally, we look forward to two more events in May: On Wednesday, May 30, City College’s Graduate Landscape Architecture Program launches its student-edited journal, PLOT. The debut volume, developed with faculty advisor Catherine Seavitt Nordenson and designed by Isaac Gertman, explores the fringes, cracks, and edges of urban terrain. Come toast the 2012 graduating class of MLA students! And on Thursday, May 31, MIT professor of landscape architecture and urban planning Eran Ben-Joseph joins Interboro Partners and City College professor June Williamson for a conversation about Ben-Joseph’s ReThinking a Lot: The Design and Culture of Parking, which explores the lowly parking lot as a zone of resurgent urban opportunity.

You can find full details, along with featured new releases and coverage of recent bookstore events, here.

AWARDS AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR DESIGNERS

The Rockefeller Foundation’s 2012 Innovation Challenges seek exceptional ideas in the categories of Decoding Data, Irrigating Efficiency, and Farming Now. As many as 9 finalists will be selected to apply for up to $100,000 in grant support to advance their concepts. Enter by May 25.

The international Morph My City Challenge rewards radical new approaches to sustainable urban planning. Submissions for the Greenfield Prize and the 2040 Prize are open until May 29.

The 2012 ONE Prize, “Blight to Might,” tackles the social, economic, and ecological regeneration of America’s cities through collaborative action and transformative design. Register by May 31.

Fast Company’s inaugural Innovation By Design Awards seek entries in nine categories, including Spaces, Transportation, and Concepts. Submissions are due by June 1.

Designing for Adaptable Futures calls on students and recent graduates to submit innovative design proposals that challenge orthodox ideas about adaptability in the built environment. Enter by June 10.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS AT VAN ALEN

Your generous support makes possible all the work we do to bring the best design ideas to civic life. Join us today, and you’ll be part of our diverse network of designers, planners, policy-makers, and urban thinkers—anyone with a passion for the public realm. Our current members are already enjoying benefits including 10% off purchases at Van Alen Books. Find out more about our membership opportunities and how you can join us here.