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Three of the First Honor Award winning projects in our Chapter’s 2006 Celebration of Architecture Awards Program were presented by the project’s Architects at April’s Chapter meeting in Mt. Kisco. Organized by Board member Peter Cole, the in-depth presentations were made by Barry Price of Barry Price Architecture, Lee Wright and Neville Epstein of Perkins Eastman and Erik Kaeyer of Kaeyer Garment & Davidson Architects & Engineers.
Barry Price began by discussing his research into traditional Japanese Architecture and his own past interest in sculptural roof forms as inspiration for the design direction of the “River House” in Germantown, New York. The project, made up of a 3,500 sf house and 1,200 sf studio for two artists, is set on a spectacular wooded site overlooking the Hudson River. The two elements of house and studio are arranged on the site in a linear north/south direction to provide maximum exposure to the river views. Subtle articulations of the plan and hip roof forms at each end create an implied courtyard entry and reinforce the reading of the house and studio as an integrated compound. The plan, organized around a 2 story timber frame “core” provides a datum around which the rest of the house wraps and relates. Presented in sketches, construction drawings and photographs, the Architect showed how precedents, program, organizational concepts and details were all integrated and successfully woven together in the design of this house.
Lee Wright, of Perkins Eastman, began their presentation of the Bet Torah Synagogue addition and alterations by showing the many different site organizations and configurations that they studied in the early phases of the project. As one of the largest synagogues in Westchester County, serving over 500 families, the final scheme added 12,500 sf to the existing 18,000 sf facility with a new 300 seat sanctuary being the centerpiece of the addition.
  
John Jay High School River House Bet Torah Synagogue
Neville Epstein continued with a summary of their design philosophy (both in general and as it related to this project): man as the measure of all things, creation of a relationship between architecture and the human body, reference to collective memory, recognition of the impact of contemporary culture and development of “architectural promenade” as a defining concept. The Architects described the development of the project in relation to these concepts, specifically the use of architectural promenade to inform the buildings circulation patterns and public / private organization as well as the impact of Jewish traditions on the form of the sanctuary. They concluded with the notion that a building’s design represents that institution’s position in society; in this case open, transparent and forward-looking.
Erik Kaeyer concluded the evening with a presentation of two projects for the John Jay School in Cross River, New York. The existing 1970’s campus was characterized by open “California style” breezeways connecting the various buildings which had proven to be less that ideal in this climate. Both projects shown were driven by the need to have a new enclosed system of circulation, both within the buildings and around the campus. The High School project, shown as a study model and photographs of the completed project, added 28,000 sf to an existing building on a challenging sloping site. The addition, consisting mostly of new circulation, clearly expressed this as a glass and steel bridge connecting old and new and cantilevering out over the edge of the building to form a pocket niche for informal student socialization and framed views of the wooded campus. The middle school project likewise was organized around a new enclosed circulation system, most dramatically expressed in the curving light filled lobby space.
This year’s Celebration of Architecture Awards Program is currently underway, with the Call for Entries scheduled to be in the mail next month, submissions due in September and the Awards Gala taking place at the acclaimed Dia Beacon museum on November 1. The galleries at the Dia will be open for an hour and a half before the program for our enjoyment and the Architect of the Dia renovations will be giving an in-depth tour. The Awards Committee is hoping for even greater participation by our chapter members in the program this year and hope to see some of you presenting your award winning projects at the “Design Excellence” chapter meeting next April.
Ray Beeler, Co-chair Celebration of Architecture Awards Committee
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