Read our April 2012 Newsletter, with an update on Parks for the People design studio progress, terrific upcoming events at Van Alen Books, walking tours, funding opportunities, and more inside!
In This Issue
  • Parks for the People Moves Ahead
  • Action-Packed Month at Van Alen Books
  • Follow in the Footsteps of John Hill
  • Call for Summer Interns
  • Funding and Research Opportunities
  • Thank You for Making a Difference

Recent

PARKS FOR THE PEOPLE MOVES AHEAD

Last month marked a milestone for Parks for the People, our student design competition to reimagine America’s national parks.

You can now learn more about the studio projects by reading an overview of the winning proposals, following the progress reports from the teams, and looking at photo albums from the reviews, symposia, and park tours.

Over the spring semester, we traveled to schools across the country to conduct midterm reviews and participate in workshops and stakeholder meetings. We couldn’t be more excited about the visions these nine multidisciplinary teams are exploring—from designs that marry ecological stewardship with public access, to strategies that make parks broadly inclusive.

CCNY midterm review FIU midterm review Pratt visits Hopewell Furnace
City College of New York midterm review Florida International University students present to design advisors Pratt Institute visits Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Rutgers midterm review Rice visits Valles Caldera Nicodemus descendants visit KSU midterm review
Rutgers State University midterm review presentation Rice University visits Valles Caldera National Preserve Nicodemus descendants visit Kansas State University's midterm review
Penn midterm review and charrette UW meets with San Juan Island stakeholders Cornell visits Chattahoochee River
University of Pennsylvania midterm review and charrette University of Washington meets with San Juan Island stakeholders Cornell University at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

A big thank-you to the students: you demonstrated that your design research is already making an impact. Thanks also to all those who have helped contribute to the studios, including our Design Advisory Committee for their generous and insightful feedback, and our competition partners and supporters at the U.S. National Park ServiceNational Parks Conservation Association, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, National Endowment for the Arts, and all the partners in Designing the Parks.

The studio teams will be submitting their final designs this summer, with selected students awarded paid internships at national park sites. Stay tuned: We’ll announce the competition winners this fall—we can’t wait to continue this important conversation!

Upcoming

ACTION-PACKED MONTH AT VAN ALEN BOOKS

Find out about new titles available at the bookstore and upcoming events here. Unless otherwise noted, all events featured below take place at 7:00 p.m.

We kick off the month on Friday, April 6, with the launch of MASS Design Group’s Empowering Architecture, showcasing the Boston-based firm’s Butaro Hospital in Rwanda. We follow with two programs that focus on the evolving practice of architectural education. On Thursday, April 12, author, educator, and VAI Trustee Joan Ockman and Princeton Architecture School Dean Stan Allen discuss Ockman's new book Architecture School: Three Centuries of Educating Architects in North America. As the first comprehensive history of North American architecture education, the book surveys its origins in British, French, and German traditions, and evolution to today’s university-based design training. On Friday, April 13, we feature Service-Learning in Design and Planning: Educating at the Boundaries. Editors Tom Angotti, Cheryl Doble, and Paula Horrigan and contributors Laura Lawson and Sally Harrison discuss service-learning in architecture, landscape design, and urban planning.

Architecture School

Next up, on Wednesday, April 18, Suzanne Frank’s new book IAUS: An Insider’s Memoir sets the stage for a conversation between the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies alumni Suzanne Frank, Diana Agrest, Suzanne Stephens, and Frederieke Taylor, moderated by Julie Iovine of The Architect’s Newspaper, about the Institute as seen through the eyes of women who collaborated in the legendary architectural think tank. On Thursday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m., MAXXI senior curator of architecture Pippo Ciorra will be joined by VAI Trustee Mark Robbins, Elisabetta Terragni, and Ada Tolla to celebrate Re-Cycle: Strategies for Architecture, City and Planet, the catalog for MAXXI's recent exhibition. To conclude the month, on Friday, April 27, Andres Lepik and Sarah Williams Goldhagen discuss Moderators of Change: Architecture That Helps, a work exploring how innovative design solutions can transform society.

Moderators of Change

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JOHN HILL

Grab your walking shoes and join Guide to Contemporary New York City Architecture author John Hill for three Saturdays seeking out new additions to the city’s architectural and urban spaces. On April 7, take in the stretch between Madison Square and Bryant Park, discovering gems east of Broadway between 23rd and 42nd streets. On April 21, survey the changes under way in Chelsea and along the High Line. And on April 28, explore Madison Square to Union Square, including developments in and around Stuyvesant Park. Each tour is $15 general admission, and $10 for VAI members. Email us to reserve your spot.

 

Guide to Contemporary New York City Architecture
Inside VAI

CALL FOR SUMMER INTERNS

Van Alen Institute is seeking exceptional candidates for 2012 summer internships. Interns will be responsible for assisting the Institute’s staff with projects including design competitions, public programs, and communications. If you have a passion for the public realm, are self-directed and detail-oriented, and available to commit at least three days per week, we want to hear from you. Send a cover letter and resume in PDF format to jobs@vanalen.org. No phone calls, please.

Call for Summer Interns
In the Field

FUNDING AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR DESIGNERS

The Design Trust for Public Space is calling for research, design, and planning projects that positively impact public space in New York City. Submissions from New York–based government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups are now accepted on an ongoing basis.

The 2012 Core77 Design Awards are accepting submissions in 17 diverse categories, including writing and commentary. Submit your inspired work by April 10.

The Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship offers opportunities to work on affordable housing projects, developing leadership skills and expanding the capacity of local host organizations. Applications for 2013 fellowships will be accepted this spring. 

The Architectural League’s Deborah J. Norden Fund awards up to $5,000 annually in travel and study grants to students and recent graduates. Submissions are due by April 16.

The SOM Prize in Architecture, Design, and Urban Design awards a $50,000 research and travel fellowship to sponsor one outstanding student’s research, collaboration, and independent study, along with a $20,000 travel fellowship. Register by April 23.

Join Us

THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Thanks to all who responded to our spring call for membership! Your generous support makes possible all the work we do to foster excellence in public design. And if you haven't yet responded, 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. Join us today by signing up here.

Support Van Alen



Funders National Endowment for the Arts IMLS Environmental Defense Fund NPCA Jewish Communal Fund NYSCA Graham Foundation Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Social Science Research Council NYCulture



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