Architectural Explorations in Books - Old Buildings, New Designs - Charles Bloszies, William Menking, Michael Manfredi
FREE - Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The quest for sustainability will increasingly concentrate development in cities, fostering architecture that will be a fusion of new and old forms, especially as policy incentives are implemented that encourage major additions to existing buildings. San Francisco architect Charles Bloszies, joined by William Menking, Editor-in-Chief of the Architect’s Newspaper and Michael Manfredi, Principal at Weiss/Manfredi explore this topic as he presents case studies from his new book Old Buildings, New Designs | Architectural Transformations, released by Princeton Architectural Press. The evening’s conversation includes a discussion of why modern architecture when merged with old building fabric tends to be controversial and what underlying design principles can lead to successful outcomes in this often overlooked genre. 
Office of Charles Bloszies; Kearny Street, San Francisco, California; Photographer: Matthew Millman
Increasingly, architects are asked to design new work for existing structures. Whether for reasons of preservation, sustainability, or cost-effectiveness, the movement to reuse buildings presents design constraints and possibilities that differ from those encountered during the design of new buildings. Old Buildings, New Designs | Architectural Transformations reveals and explores the issues of working within a given architectural fabric—from the technical matters that arise from aging construction to the controversy generated by the various project stakeholders to the unique aesthetic possibilities created through the juxtaposition of old and new. The book features nineteen innovative case studies of built work by an international list of renowned architects including Daniel Libeskind, Renzo Piano, Foster + Partners, and Herzog & de Meuron, as well as an insightful foreword by noted architect and preservationist Hugh Hardy.
Foster + Partners; Hearst Tower, New York, New York; Photographer: Nigel Young
Excerpt from Hugh Hardy’s foreword: “This is an important book for anyone concerned about the future of architecture. Our media culture presents buildings from the perspective that their importance comes from being new, with a preference for works that are unlike anything seen before. Instead, Charles Bloszies has put together an incisive and broad investigation of nineteen projects from all over the world that show thoughtful ways in which new buildings draw their importance from their relation to old. His is a generous survey of an extensive and diverse range of design possibilities. More than a handsome publication of designs, however, it is also a considered exploration of a subject vital to the profession, one that should encourage great discussion.”
Copies of the book are available for purchase and signing at the event.
Renzo Piano Building Workshop; Morgan Library, New York, New York; Photographer: Michel Denance
Markus Scherer and Walter Dietl; Entrance Pavilion, Il Forte di Fortezza, Fortezza, Italy; Photographer: Rene Riller
Principal, The Office of Charles Bloszies, Ltd. Charles Bloszies is an architect, structural engineer, writer, and educator. He is the principal of an award winning practice in San Francisco engaged in merging both architectural and technical disciplines resulting in thoughtful, innovative, and economically executed work. His firm has completed various urban infill projects and major additions to old buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is currently adjunct professor of architecture at California College of the Arts, and has taught in the design studios at the University of California at San Diego, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Old Buildings, New Designs | Architectural Transformations, published by Princeton Architectural Press in 2011.
Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Architect’s Newspaper William Menking is an architectural historian, writer, critic, and curator of architecture and urbanism. He is professor of architecture, urbanism, and city planning at Pratt Institute and has lectured and taught at schools in the United States and Europe. He has been published in numerous architectural publications, anthologies, and museum catalogues. He has curated and organized international exhibitions on the visionary British architects Archigram, the Italian radical architects Superstudio, and contemporary English design, and he served as Commissioner of the U.S. pavilion at the 2008 Venice Biennale. He has participated in various juries including the 2006 and 2008 New York City AIA New Practices, 2007 and 2008 San Francisco AIA Honor Awards, and the 2007 Lumen awards for lighting.
Principal, Weiss/Manfredi Michael Manfredi is an architect and educator. He is a principal of a multidisciplinary design practice in New York City known for their integration of architecture, art, infrastructure, and landscape design. Weiss/Manfredi were named one of North America’s “Emerging Voices” by the Architectural League of New York and won the New York City AIA Gold Medal of Honor. He has been a visiting critic and professor at numerous institutions including Yale and Princeton, and has been a Gensler Visiting Professor at Cornell University. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a trustee and founding member of the Van Alen Institute, and a trustee of the Storefront for Art and Architecture.
In its third season Architectural Explorations in Books, initiated and organized by Arezoo Moseni, is a series of engaging programs delving into the critical role that architecture publications play in the understanding of contemporary urban developments and structures. The events feature book presentations and discussions by acclaimed architects, critics, curators, designers, photographers and writers.