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Discover NYC’s Architecture and Design Scene During Archtober 2019

09.16.19 | By
Discover NYC’s Architecture and Design Scene During Archtober 2019

Get ready, New York. The annual Archtober festival, now in its ninth year, is just around the figurative and architectural corner. Organized by the Center for Architecture, this month-long event celebrates NYC’s architecture and design with 31 days of programs and events that will make you appreciate the sites you walk by every day.

You can head to archtober.org to see the full lineup of events, visit the Center for Architecture for Arctober guides, or keep reading to learn about some of our favorite highlights of the festival:

Solar Carve on 40 Tenth Ave by Studio Gang \\\ Photo © Tom Harris, courtesy Studio Gang

Put your walking shoes on and head out on an architect-led tour to check out the Building of the Day. Each day in October will take you around New York to discover (or rediscover) contemporary and iconic buildings, such as Solar Carve by Studio Gang, Hunters Point Library by Steven Holl Architects, Eleven Madison Park Restaurant by Allied Works Architecture, the Statue of Liberty Museum by FXCollaborative, and the Bronx Hall of Music by WXY. You’ll need to register for each tour (and sometimes they sell out!) so be sure to check out the full list and register for the tours you really want to see.

Rendering of Bronx Music Wall by WXY

29 – 121 E 22nd by OMA New York \\\ Photo by Laurian Ghinitoiu

Brooklyn Navy Yard

If you want to check out even more architectural tours, Open House New York Weekend will take you through the Museum at Eldridge Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Prospect Park Alliance, and more while the Classic Harbor Line will take you on an architectural boat tour of NYC’s lit-up skyline.

Classic Harbor Line

Once your feet get tired, take a break and attend one of the many film screenings, panels, and design workshops. At the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s “Responding to Wright: Architects Design for the Guggenheim,” hear from the architects who have designed exhibitions within the iconic space. The Architecture and Design Film Festival will be taking place at the Cinépolis Chelsea. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the National Design Awards, Cooper Hewitt will offer free admission to all museum visitors during National Design Week.

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum \\\ Photo courtesy of The Mediated Matter Group

Installation photo of “Nature—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial” \\\ Photo by Scott Rudd

Deborah Berke Partners

Every Wednesday, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the offices of architectural firms and design studios for Workplace Wednesdays. This year’s series includes Deborah Berke Partners, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, Ennead Architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Thomas Phifer and Partners.

Thomas Phifer and Partners \\\ Photo by Scott Frances

You don’t need to leave the kids at home during Archtober as there are several family programs that the whole gang can enjoy. The Cooper Hewitt, the Smithsonian Design Museum’s Teen Design Fair, the Build a LEGO City Family Day, and the Build and Wear Halloween Costume are just a few of the fun events where kids and teens can learn more about design and foster their creative thinking.

Pumpkitecture

In the spirit of the holiday, 20 architecture firms will participate in Pumpkitecture, a contest that involves carving pumpkins into creative architectural works. Winner gets bragging rights and the Pritzkerpumpkin award!

Pumpkitecture

Pumpkitecture

With events, tours, screenings, and workshops happening every day, you’ll need to plan in advance if you want to fit in everything you want to see! Visit archtober.org and get ready to rediscover New York’s architecture and design.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.