A Guide to NYC’s Rebellious, Inclusive Design Talks for Archtober

As the design community around the world continues to focus on more sustainable, forward-thinking projects, a new kind of dialog has emerged, one that’s focused on cross-disciplinary collaboration, inclusivity and democratic design. And as New York City gears up for Archtober 2018, an annual month-long celebration of design, those topics are front and center.

October 2, Tuesday
‘Rebel Architecture: How to Dismantle Power Through Design’
Urban Democracy Lab at NYU Gallatin
6.30pm-8.30pm

Led by Germane Barnes, Nandini Bagchee and Nicholas Korody, ‘Rebel Architecture’ discusses the ways in which the built environment replicates (and enforces) power, particularly within the urban environment. The panel, moderated by Louise Harpman, “will demonstrate ways we can – and do – counteract these prescribed meanings through alternate, collective, and collaborative forms, as well as through active resistance.”

October 3, Wednesday
‘New York’s Housing Crisis: Which Way Forward?’
Museum of the City of New York
6.30pm-8.30pm

It’s not news that NYC is experiencing an ongoing housing crisis, particularly in affordable housing for low- and middle-income individuals and families. With rent costs driving so many New Yorkers outside the five boroughs, what will become of the city when only the ultra-wealthy are left? Edward Glaeser, economist and author of Triumph of the City, joins sociologist Miriam Greenberg to discuss the political, social and economic challenges that play into this crisis, and how we can maintain affordability in NYC.

October 4, Thursday
Opening – ‘Toward a Livable City’
Center for Architecture
6pm-8pm

To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) is hosting an opening reception for a new exhibition, ‘Toward a Livable City.’ The event highlights the non-profit organization’s history of activism on core issues that affect the city, including inclusive urban planning and design.
October 6, Saturday
Symposium – ‘Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture’
Center for Architecture
1pm-6pm

Center for Architecture presents a symposium and workshop by BlackSpace on Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture, a new exhibition that looks at hip-hop’s influence on design and the urban built environment. BlackSpace, a collective of young black changemakers, aims to bridge the “gaps between policy, people, and place” by addressing issues of inequality and justice in New York City. Sekou Cooke, curator of Close to the Edge, moderates the panel, which includes speakers Nina Cooke John, James Garrett Jr, Andres L Hernandez and Craig L Wilkins.
October 11, Thursday
‘Walking a Tightrope: Balancing Historic Preservation and Public Engagement’
South Street Seaport Museum
6.30pm-8.30pm

Presented by South Street Seaport Museum, a panel of experts on culture, public engagement, historic preservation and more comes together to discuss the unique challenges faced by historic institutions. The talk will explore various perspectives on “how to balance between the needs of public engagement and preserving a site for future generations.” Speakers include Mary Jablonski, David Favaloro, Danielle Swanson, Chelsea Dowell and others. Doors open at 6.30pm at the Melville Gallery at 213 Water Street.

October 12, Friday
J Max Bond Jr Lecture – ‘Attaining Wakandan Utopia: Representation, Placemaking, and the Diaspora’
AIA New York/nycobaNOMA
6pm-8pm

Organized by AIANY Diversity and Inclusion Committee and nycobaNOMA, ‘Attaining Wakandan Utopia’ brings together Kunlé Adeyemi, Mario Gooden and Ade Obayemi to discuss the mythical North African nation of Wakanda for the annual design talk in memory of J Max Bond Jr.
October 16, Tuesday
‘Power to the People: Designing for Resilience Post Hurricane Maria’
AIA New York
4pm-8pm

The principal architect of Marvel Architecture, Jonathan Marvel, leads a discussion on the ongoing work of Resilient Power Puerto Rico (RPPR), which is striving to bring large-scale sustainability – namely solar power – to the island after Hurricane Maria.

October 17, Wednesday
‘Untold Stories: Women of Architecture and Interior Design’
New York School of Interior Design
6pm-8pm

Victoria Rosner (Columbia University), Mary McLeod (Columbia University), Mimi Hoang (co-founder of nARCHITECTS) and Tamara Eaton (Tamara Eaton Designs) discuss pioneering feminist contributions in the fields of architecture and design by women, as well as what we can expect for the future.

October 20, Saturday
‘FDR Four Freedoms Park, Louis Kahn, and the Democratization of Public Space’
Four Freedoms Park Conservancy on Roosevelt Island
11am-noon

From Archtober: “In 2012, FDR Four Freedoms Park was completed posthumously as one of the last great projects of the visionary architect Louis Kahn; this tour will discuss the challenges of creating public spaces today.”

October 22, Monday
‘Responsive Cities – Citizen Engagement’
Center for Architecture
6pm-9pm

Organized by the Consulate General of Switzerland, ‘Responsive Cities’ looks at “the new frontier in human settlement … based on smart city technologies.” The discussion will examine how data can help create inclusive environments in cities, and the role of cognitive psychology, complexity science and policymaking in actively responding to urban issues.

Panel speakers include Kubi Ackermann (director of the Future City Lab); Fabien Clavier and Panos Mavros (researchers at ETH Future Cities Laboratory); and Mike Aziz (director of urban design, Cooper Robertson).

October 30, Tuesday
‘Women in Architecture Forum & Awards’
Architectural Record
4.30pm-8pm

The fifth annual Women in Architecture Forum and Awards, presented by Architectural Record, honors the work of influential female leaders in design. The pre-reception symposium will include Elizabeth Diller, Peggy Deamer, Upali Nanda and more.
For Culture Trip’s curated guide to Archtober 2018, click here.