2009-06-15 18:00:52 -
Architects Invited to Submit Designs for a Newark Visitor’s Center
NEWARK, N.J. (June 15, 2009) -- The Newark and Suburban Architects section of the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ), in conjunction with its Emerging Professionals and Young Architects Forum programs, is sponsoring an international design competition for a Visitor’s Center for Newark, N.J.
The design competition will seek innovative, visionary and compelling designs for a structure that will be focused on enhancing the progress of future endeavors in Newark as well as celebrating its past, said Alok K. Saksena, Associate AIA, LEED AP, who is the competition’s creator and coordinator.
“Currently there is no method for way-finding or a comprehensive historical center for the revitalized city,” he said. “Every major city in the nation has
some sort of visitor’s hub that welcomes visitors and funnels them to restaurants, civic monuments and community and cultural events. Why not Newark?”
In an effort to make the competition as relevant to the city’s needs as possible, the competition committee is working with the city’s planners to locate a site that could actually be used for such a structure. The location will be announced in the near future on the competition’s Web site at www.visitnewarknj.com.
The challenge is to design a center that becomes a destination spot on its own and that also creates a clear identity for Newark, celebrates its unique heritage, reinforces the city’s image as a gateway to the wider metropolitan experience, brings the city closer to its residents and incorporates the city’s business interests, Saksena said.
In particular, the contest calls for a design for a 13,435-square-foot building with elements allowing for multi-faceted uses including an information center, an auditorium, an interactive display area, gallery space, a conference room, a café and a gift shop. In addition, the contest calls for the design to incorporate “green” or sustainable elements.
One of the main challenges of the design will be access. Although the site will be near Newark Penn Station, offering access to public transportation, the architects will be asked to take patrons who drive into consideration with innovative solutions for on-site parking, while also creating a pedestrian friendly site.
“The site should be considered as a threshold or transition between the urban fabric of Newark, the metropolitan area and the occupants of the site,” Saksena said.
This is the second consecutive year that AIA-NJ’s Newark and Suburban Architects section has sponsored a design competition. Last year’s competition, “Live the Box,” challenged architects to use discarded shipping containers as the primary design element in an urban, multi-family, mixed-use project for Newark.
One hundred and fifty participants from 26 states and 13 countries, including those from as far away as Turkey, South Korea and Romania responded to the Web-only design competition. The competition committee is hoping for an even bigger response for this year’s competition, which is also being held via the Web.
The design competition is still seeking sponsors. For more information, including information on sponsorship, as well as to register, please visit the Web site at www.visitnewarknj.com
In addition to Saksena, members of the competition committee include Melvin Williams III, Associate AIA, co-coordinator and Webmaster; Karen Duncan-Bonner, AIA, and Christopher Stone, AIA, sponsorship; Julie Pagnotta, section administrator; Carolyn Caste, Webmaster; and Matthew Bilow,
Gauri Shirvalkar,
Marcos Figueroa and Priya Shah.
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the local chapter of AIA. In 2000, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.
About AIA Newark and Suburban Architects
AIA Newark and Suburban Architects is a section of AIA New Jersey and a chapter and region of the American Institute of Architects. It is a non-profit organization that serves more than 500 members in Morris, Union and Essex Counties. Through public education and outreach, community redevelopment and government advocacy and partnerships, AIA Newark and Suburban Architects protects the professional interests of its members while working to create a responsive public environment for architectural and redevelopment projects.
