CultureNOW | A Celebration of Culture & Community

Wendy Evans Joseph talks about the renovated central entry space of the Museum of the City of New York. The proposal included three main elements: a seating area, a temporary café on the 2nd floor and a light installation. Starlight replaces a 19th century chandelier, with the intention of not just providing light, but as part of a greater ideal of making the entry lobby the core experience for public gathering and to encourage visitors to use the monumental circular stair as primary circulation instead of elevators. But beyond these practical notions, the light sculpture symbolizes the museum’s engagement with modern life in the city. It links its great historic tradition with current technology and thinking.

John Woelfling, of Dattner Architects, discusses the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.  He explains how the ship was removed from the ocean, what they envisioned and what was accomplished when opening the ship to the public. The USS Intrepid (CV11) aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1943 for service in World War II, served during the Vietnam conflict, and went on to serve as a primary recovery vessel for NASA. In 1976, this ship was decommissioned and was set to be scrapped until real estate developer Zachary Fisher and the Intrepid Museum Foundation saved the boat and founded the museum. One of New York City's most visited attractions, the USS Intrepid Museum aims to "honor our heroes, educate the public, and inspire our young people."

Jeffrey Dugan, a partner at Dattner Architects, discusses the renovations done to the 59th Street/Columbus Circle Station. Dugan illuminates on the importance of bridging historical perspective and renovations. The Columbus Circle Station project organizes, rehabilitates and restores this sprawling station complex at the intersection of the original Broadway Line and the more recent IND subway, underneath the newly renovated Columbus monument and fountain. 

WIlliam Stein, a partner at Dattner Architects, discusses the new canopy that covers the station at Bowling Green. Sited between the landmarked Customs House and historic Bowling Green Park, the new station canopy is a dramatic, transparent, curved steel and glass structure sensitive to its historic surroundings. The project involved close coordination with multiple public agencies and community organizations.

William Stein and Jeffrey Dugan, of Dattner Architects, discuss the renovations to the Myrtle Wyckoff Station Complex and the empowering sense renovations can have on a neighborhood. This was a pilot project for MTA's Design for the Environment Program. Sustainable design features include daylighting and natural ventilation in the control house rotunda, lighting controls and energy-saving mechanical systems.

William Stein, of Dattner Architects, discusses the Bronx Library Center, which replaced the former Fordham Branch Library. The facility provides expanded circulation and reference collections, cutting-edge information technology, a full range of education, business and technology training for all ages, literacy classes, and English language proficiency programs. The BLC also houses the Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center, with extensive bilingual collections, educational and cultural programs, and multi-media exhibits. The project received LEED Silver Certification from the United States Green Building Council. It is the first publicly funded building in New York City and the first library in The New York Public Library system to receive LEED certification.

William Stein of Dattner Architects and Robert Garneau of Grimshaw Architects discuss the unique design elements of Via Verde. The award-winning design is inspired by the integration of nature and city. At the heart of the project is a dynamic garden and series of green roofs that serve as the organizing architectural element and identity for the community.

Joseph Coppola of Dattner Architects discusses the renovations to the Schomberg Library in Harlem, preserving its historic octagonal shape while incorporating light and sound dampening into the gallery and research library. The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture is a national research library devoted to collecting, preserving and providing access to resources documenting the history and experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world. The renovation of the Schomburg Center includes the creation of a new Center for Scholars, as well as the renovation of several key public spaces. 

Joseph Coppola, of Dattner Architects, discusses the renovation of Wave Hill, which was built in 1843 by William Lewis Morris. Famous residents include Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain and Arturo Toscanini. The estate was deeded to the City of New York in 1960 and Wave Hill, Inc., was formed in 1965 as a non-profit corporation. Wave Hill House is on the National Register of Historic Places. Dattner Architects was retained by Wave Hill to update their Master Plan and to design renovations to the House, funded through the NYC Department of Design and Construction. Designs were approved by the New York City Landmark Commission. 

Richard Dattner, of Dattner Architects, discusses the design tactics behind creating a learning environment for children at P.S. 234. At the time of its construction, P.S. 234 was the first new school built by the New York City Board of Education in almost 15 years, and the first public school in TriBeCa. It accommodates 700 children from Kindergarten through 5th Grade.