We are honored to announce a series of conversations with prominent architects about the state of design of cultural, moderated by New York Magazine critic Justin Davidson. In tribute and thanks to the bequest of Don Powell, esteemed interior architect and dear member of The Arts Club, this series delves into knotty questions about the opportunities and challenges created by a post-pandemic, climate-challenged, and socially -conscious environment.
Free and open to all.
All talks are from 6:00 – 7:15pm
Elizabeth Diller – February 28
The inaugural discussion welcomes Elizabeth Diller, Princeton University professor and founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, who designed New York’s High Line, The Shed, the renovation and expansion of MoMA, and the award-winning Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago.
Anupama Kundoo – March 30
Second in the series, we welcome Anupama Kundoo. Her rigorous research and experimentation in new materiality for architecture is the result of questioning basic assumptions and construction habits that humanity has adopted during the long process of industrialization. Rather than focusing on shortage, she sought abundance through investing in human resources and human resourcefulness, such as ingenuity, time, skills, care and sense of community. The act of building produces knowledge just as the resulting knowledge produces buildings. Her acclaimed projects include the Wall House, Urban Eco-Community and the Townhall complex in Auroville, and Volontariat Homes for Homeless Children in Pondicherry
Annabelle Selldorf – April 18
Third in the Don Powell Distinguished Architect Series, we welcome Annabelle Selldorf. Principal and design lead of Selldorf Architects, Ms. Selldorf has overseen museum projects such as the expansion and enhancement of The Frick Collection in New York, the redesign of the Sainsbury Wing and public realm of the National Gallery London, the expansion of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the revitalization of the Hirshhorn Museum with SOM, among others. With New York Magazine critic Justin Davidson, she delves into questions about the state of design of cultural spaces.
Joshua Ramus – May 23
For the final conversation in the Don Powell Distinguished Architect Series, we welcome Joshua Ramus. He is founding principal of REX, a New York-based architecture and design firm whose current projects include the Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center and The Lindemann Performing Arts Center at Brown University (both nearing completion). Joshua was a founding partner of OMA New York in 2001 and remained its principal until he re-branded the firm as REX in 2006. In that time, he was partner-in-charge of all the firm’s projects, including the Guggenheim-Hermitage Museum in Las Vegas and the Seattle Central Library. Ramus talks with New York Magazine critic Justin Davidson about the opportunities and challenges created by a post-pandemic, climate-challenged, and socially conscious environment.
