I attended the opening reception for the Harvard Club's new addition on November 3, 2003. I usually support building classical exterior architecture, but in this case, the building sits between two classical buildings already, so the modern design is a good choice.
This is the main hall on the 2nd floor. The windows look onto the street, and are probably 16 feet high--and it faces South--so this is a beautiful design choice. However, there is a small raised platform starting 2 feet before the window, so strangely you can't walk directly up to the window; you must stand 2 feet back. Strange.
This is the new building's lobby; it looks like any lobby, anywhere. It's cold, even with the Turkish rug, and probably a failure. A women with her graduate's degree from Harvard in Architecture (Class of '50), said the new addition was a clone of something from the 50's. She said that should not surprise anyone since Bond, one of the architects, was a student during the 1950's when the International Style (read: extremely plain, boxy design) was very popular .
This is the orginal lobby, and it's a winner. Complete with wooden stairwell--which delivers great energy--and fireplace. Also, the molding and split color paint add character. The new one lacks it
NYU's promotion for a conference. Notably, NYU promotes the Arch (built before 1900) yet continues to build no comparable monument for future generations. It steals from the past, and future.
The Hudson Yards development featured at the Center for Architecture. Notably, the picture shows a heavenly-like light shining down on it--totally distracting viewers from the planned development. Which is smart, because none of the buildings, even the new stadium, are any more notable than a grain silo in Nebraska.
Also part of Hudson Yard project, this is a silly drawing--and is featured in the window as if it were an accomplishment. It shows a bunch of people walking along a railing that looks over a highway. People don't congregate to see traffic. They avoid it.
SoHo, at Great Jones St. & Broadway, on a brisk November morning
