Archtober 2019: Top 10 events and program highlights
Archtober is an annual architecture and design festival consisting of tours, events, films, lectures and exhibitions celebrating New York City’s love affair with the built environment. During the month of October, a full calendar of events puts a focus on the importance–and the future–of architecture and design. Organized by the Center for Architecture, over 80 partner and sponsor organizations across the city add their voices to the festival. Now in its ninth year, Archtober offers something for everyone—from the arch-intellectual with a love for concept to the armchair designer with a thing for waterways, parks or sustainable design—in the 100+ event roster. Below, we pick 10 intriguing highlights from this year’s offerings.
ADFF Films: Olafur Eliasson,”The New Bauhaus”
Architecture and Design Film Festival ↑
October 16- 20
Cinépolis Chelsea, 260 West 23rd Street
SVA Theater, 333 West 23rd Street
The Architecture and Design Film Festival celebrates the creative spirit behind architecture and design with a curated selection of films, events and panel discussions. Expect well-attended screenings, legendary panelists, vibrant discussions and events at what has become nation’s largest film festival devoted to the subject. Some highlights from this year’s ADFF include “The Human Shelter,” “The New Bauhaus,” “Masters of Modern Design: The Art of the Japanese American Experience” and many, many more.
Photo courtesy of Erik Bardin
Pumpkitecture! architectural pumpkin carving competition ↑
Friday, October 25, 6–8:30pm
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl, New York, NY 10012
$15
Get ready for Halloween at the Center for Architecture’s annual Pumpkitecture! competition! 20 New York City-based firms will go gourd to gourd to once again compete for the Pritzkerpumpkin. Come witness architects live-carve extraordinary structures and vote for the People’s Pumpkin.
Photo via Wikimedia cc.
Underground tour of the NYC subway ↑
Wednesday, October 2, 10am –12pm
City Hall Park, 43 Park Row
$35
Organized by Untapped New York, this cool tour will take you on a journey through the world’s largest subway system while you learn about its history and architecture and discover things even the most seasoned commuter might not know about. Register early, as there’s limited space available.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
A History of New York in 27 Buildings with Sam Roberts & Alexandra Lange ↑
Monday, October 21, 6:30–8:30pm
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Avenue
$15-$20
To honor of the launch of his latest book,”A History of New York in 27 Buildings: The 400-Year Untold Story of an American Metropolis,” former New York Times urban affairs correspondent Sam Roberts sits down for a conversation with Curbed architecture critic Alexandra Lange to share the stories behind New York City’s most transformative structures from the Empire State Building to lesser-known sites. Reception to follow.
NYBG Edible Academy, Cooper Robertson. Photo by Robert Benson Photography.
Building of the Day tour: NYBG Edible Academy↑
Friday, October 4 , 12–1pm
2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
$10
Conceived of as a collection of indoor/outdoor structures connected to expansive vegetable gardens and a dramatic wooded context, New York Botanical Garden’s Edible Academy (Architect: Cooper Robertson) is a year-round teaching center with a focus on the basic relationships between plants, gardening, sustainability, cooking, nutrition and health. The project’s site was chosen to highlight its magnificent setting and to provide educational opportunities on sustainable agriculture and native plants in an environment that emphasizes the relationships between cultivated and natural landscapes.
Beyond the Glass House. Pen and ink rendering courtesy of John Lee, Jr.. 
The Glass House. Photo by Michael Biondo.
Beyond the Glass House: New Canaan Mid-Century Modern Houses 1947-1979 ↑
Tuesday, October 22, 6–8pm
New Canaan Library, 151 Main St, New Canaan, CT
Study Tour + Glass House Schlumberger Building designed by Philip Johnson (1951-52) ↑
Friday, October 18, 1–5:15pm
Glass House Visitor Center, 199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT
Tour: $150
Take a short road trip out of the city and learn about one of the East Coast’s best collections of modern homes, anchored by Philip Johnson’s well-known Glass House. The talk at the New Canaan Library will feature Alan Goldberg and Michael Biondo in conversation with writer Gwen North Reiss, who will discuss the famed New Canaan houses. If you’re more of a seeing-is-believing type, the following Tuesday’s tour will visit the actual example of mid-century architecture designed by Philip Johnson in a one-day study tour of the Glass House (1949) and the recently-renovated Schlumberger Research Center Administration Building (1951-52).
Our Lifespan by Design: The Creative Challenge
Monday, October 14, 6-8pm
New York School of Interior Design, 170 East 70 Street
$17
Organized by the New York School of Interior Design. For nearly five decades designer and gerontologist Patricia Moore has embraced the challenge of “designing for all” as the mandate of her distinguished career. The 2019 recipient of the National Design Award, Moore is celebrated for her efforts to recognize people of all ages and abilities as equal in their right for the highest quality of life by design. The lecture will introduce Dr. Moore’s vision for delivering equity by design for the lifespan, today and tomorrow.
Special event: Bespoke Careers presents an exhibition of culture of practice and social media
Thursday, October 3, 6-11pm
305 Bleecker Street
$10
Join Bespoke Careers for an evening of food, drinks and conversation as global architecture and design firms discuss their workplace culture and what makes their firm a great place to work. Another key topic up for discussion is how these firms use social media to provide an in-depth view and give job-seekers an insight into the culture of practice.
Photo courtesy of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy.
Architecture & Design Pop-Up Library ↑
Saturday, October 14, at 11am-4pm
FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island, NY
Free
Organized by Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, this month’s pop-up library explores the magic of architecture and design in partnership with Open House New York. This family-friendly afternoon features books and hands-on activities from the ACE Mentor Program that help teach children and adults about architecture and design. Expect arts and crafts activities that encourage participants to observe, explore and design together, plus lawn games, and fun surprises.
Image: Wikimedia cc
Guided Visit to 101 Spring Street ↑
Wednesday, October 30, 5–6:30pm
101 Spring Street
$11.50-$24
Organized by the Judd Foundation, guided visits to 101 Spring Street offer visitors direct engagement with Donald Judd’s art and vision. In his later years, Judd worked with furniture, design, and architecture, though he was careful to distinguish his design practice from his artwork. Judd’s former private living and working space offers a first-hand experience of his concept of permanent installation in downtown New York.
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Learn more about Archtober here, and view the full schedule of events.
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