Hunters Point, Astoria, Willets Pt. Projects Win Design Awards

Projects in Hunters Point, Willets Point and Astoria were among the winners of the Public Design Commission’s 29th Annual Awards for Excellence in Design, the city announced on Monday, June 20.

Honored were Steven Holl Architects and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, who helped create the plans for the Hunter’s Point Community Library at Center Boulevard between 47th Road and 48th Ave.; Leeser Architecture and Karlssonwilker, who drew plans for the renovation and expansion of the Museum of the Moving Image at 35th Avenue and 36th Street in Astoria, and nArchitects, who helped with the reconstruction of Harper Street Yard at 32-11 Harper St. in Willets Point, including the construction of a Diesel Monitoring Booth.

“As new public construction projects go up throughout the five boroughs, we have an opportunity to add innovative elements to the landscape of our city and we make the most of it,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Through the Awards for Excellence in Design we honor outstanding examples of creative design every year, and this year’s winners are no exception. These 11 projects in all five boroughs showcase how public projects can help enhance our city physically while adding to its cultural, civic and recreational life.”

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The Design Commission, formerly called the Art Commission, has given awards to exceptional public projects since 1982. The winning projects are selected by the Design Commission from hundreds of submissions reviewed each year, with the aim of honoring the highest standards of design.

Established in 1898, the Commission reviews permanent works of art, architecture and landscape architecture proposed on or over city-owned property. Such projects include new construction, renovation and restoration of buildings, such as museums and libraries; creation and rehabilitation of parks and playgrounds; installation of lighting and other streetscape elements; and design, installation and conservation of artwork.

The Design Commission is composed of 11 members, who serve pro bono, and includes an architect, landscape architect, painter and sculptor as well as representatives of the Brooklyn Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library. The other winning projects include:

 Construction of a rooftop pavilion at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, at 145 Brooklyn Ave., with plans drawn by Toshiko Mori Architects.

 Construction of a salt shed at 297 West St. in Manhattan, between Canal and Spring streets. Dattner Architects collaborated with WXY Architecture + Urban Design in the project.

 The renovation of and addition to the 122 Community Center at 150 First Ave. in Manhattan, including the installation of “Inhale/Exhale” and “Independent Lines” by artist Monika Goetz. Deborah Berke & Partners Architects led the project.

 The installation of a commemorative program at the site of the original Yankee Stadium, at Macombs Dam Park, located from East 157th to East 161st streets between River Avenue and Ruppert Plaza in the Bronx. The plans were drawn up by Doyle Partners and Cozzolino Studio.

 Rehabilitation of the Delancey and Essex Municipal Parking Garage, located at 107 Essex Street and 120 Ludlow Street between Delancey and Rivington streets in Manhattan, with plans drawn by Michielli + Wyetzner Architects.

 Reconstruction of the Staten Island Animal Care Facility, at 3139 Veterans Road West, Staten Island, with Garrison Architects leading the way.

Rehabilitation of the Sands Street Gatehouses in the Brooklyn Navy Yard Industrial Park, at 63 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn, with the firm Beyer Blinder Belle creating the plans.

A Special Recognition Award was given to Swanke Hayden Connell Architects for their work on the renovation of and expansion of the Office of Emergency Management Headquarters, at 165 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn.

In all the winning projects, the architects featured combined with the relevant city agencies to create the final product.