Culture

Somber skies and scattered rain showers didn't stop architecture enthusiasts from coming to visit Hunter's Point Campus for Open House New York (OHNY) Weekend this past Saturday. Now in it's twelfth year, OHNY continues to inspire, engage and educate the public about architecture, design and cultural heritage - this year with our very own Hunter's Point Campus.

Located on the East River in Queens with stunning panoramic views of Manhattan, Hunter's Point Campus has entered its second year of enrollment since opening last fall of 2013. Together, OHNY and FXFOWLE volunteers organized site tours throughout the day - showcasing the unique five storied campus that comprises three public schools - the Hunter's Point Community Middle School, the Academy for Careers in TV and Film, and the Riverview School. (Building Section w/ route stops below)

Hunter's Point Campus Section: Tour Route
For those who had the opportunity to experience the tour - it was quite intimate and exciting - as tour leaders and architects to the building; Eric Van Der Sluys, Mark Nusbaum, and Tim Macy weaved guests throughout the campus' special features. As guests arrived, they were greeted not only by the warm volunteers but also the vibrant orange splashed along the entrance walls - a thematic color that plays throughout the building. In addition to the building's orange highlights, there are several other engaging themes that the following series of images visualize. Additionally, these series of images take you along the OHNY tour route and capture the building's dynamic design.

Route Stop 2: OHNY guest admires view of Manhattan thru artwork by Natasha Johns-Messenger
The tour began at the terrace on the fifth floor - a space that conjures many inspirational feelings - and undeniably encouraging for students. Even the school's security guard, Morgan, had revealed she frequently spends her mornings on the terrace - reflecting. The view of the Manhattan skyline over the East River is truly a special site to behold, which immediately captured the OHNY guests.

Route Stop 3: Mark Nusbaum discusses how corridors were designed
Route Stop 4: OHNY group admires south facing view
Route Stop 4: Exterior volume of auditorium with view of Manhattan Bridge
Route Stop 5: Mark Nusbaum and Tim Macy discuss auditorium acoustics
The building's site is certainly unique and the design of the corridors capture those remarkably iconic views - facing south to Brooklyn and west to the Manhattan. At the heart of the campus is the auditorium - encased in a prismatic volume of orange tiles and steel ribbons that correlate to the interior seating. Even though the sky had a touch of gloom, the carved volumes in the distance allowed nice natural daylight to enter into the building. The unobstructed views, throughout the corridors, staircases and rooms created a strong connection to the city outside.

Route Stop 7: Natural lighting reflects staircase and railing
Route Stop 8: Mark Nusbaum discusses library's unobstructed views looking over East River
Route Stop 10: Tim Macy concludes tour in gymnasium
The tour concluded in the gymnasium - the base of the building facing east. The largest open space within the building seemed like a fitting spot for the tour to conclude - almost as if the building was exhaling and encouraging you to explore the outside. By the completion of the tour, it was evident the architect's intention of wrapping the inhabitants had been accomplished - as we all were enveloped by Hunter's Point Campus. Another successful OHNY Weekend indeed.

Images Courtesy of Coe Hoeksema & Howard Russell