Esto

Albert Vecerka Getting Ready

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:32:09 -0400

Albert just sent this image made by his friend Julian Olivas, the helicopter pilot who is himself a photographer.

Albert was preparing for a NYC fly-over, photographing a number of sites around the city for WXY Studio including Pier 40 for a study on public access to the waterfront.

In addition to the job, they got to see New York from the cloudless sky on a beautiful August morning.

Jeff Goldberg in New Orleans

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:00:56 -0400

Jeff Goldberg was in New Orleans recently and photographed buildings and empty lots the Lower Ninth Ward.

As we prepare this piece, Hurricane Isaac is hitting Louisiana and causing concern about more devastation in the already-damaged areas.

When Jeff was there, the scars of Katrina were still clearly visible along with numerous new homes built with the support of the Make It Right Foundation and participation of many important architects including KieranTimberlake, Frank Gehry, Morphosis and others.

We’ve created an online gallery of Jeff’s New Orleans photographs. Â Have a look.

Sculpture by Dee Briggs, Photographs by Albert Vecerka

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:55:25 -0400

On a recent trip to Pittsburgh, Albert photographed a new sculpture by Dee Briggs at the Warhol Museum.

The exhibition, Factory Direct, will be on display through September 9. More information on hours and directions are the Museum’s website.

Dee’s piece is made of high-performance concrete by Taktl Â®.Â One of Albert’s close up images, shown here, appears in a Taktl advertisement in the August issue of Architect Magazine.

More of Albert’s photographs of Dee Briggs’ sculptures at the Warhol can be seen at EstoStock.

McCarren Pool Renovation, photographs by David Sundberg

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:17:34 -0400

The McCarren Pool RenovationÂ is featured in The Architect’s Newspaper.

The renovation by Rogers Marvel, brings back a public pool that was designed during the era of Robert Moses.Â The project is described by Thomas de Monchaux in AN:

The original pool was funded by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration. Â McCarren was one of ten city pools that opened in the summer of 1936, the hottest on record at the time. It closed in 1984, the victim of recession and a flashpoint for tension and crime in neighborhoods going through demographic change and economic decline. This summerâs reopening, following the well-known hipster-driven development of the area, is the first of eight large-scale park refurbishments planned between now and 2030 under the cityâs PlaNYC program.

The success of the pool in anchoring both neighborhood and communityÂ puts the McCarren Pool clearly in the realm of what designer Jonathan Marvel describes as âspaces that inspire community involvement and face time.â

And, an additional perk is that all the NY City Public Pools are free!Â Enjoy the end of the summer.

But, if you can’t get there to see it for yourself, more of David’s images of the McCarren Pool are at EstoStock.Â And there is an earlier post on EstoNews.

Ezra Stoller

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:47:28 -0400

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Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:26:45 -0400

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New Esto Gallery on Architect: Brutalism, with Photographs by Goldberg, Stoller, and Andrews

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:17:37 -0400

There is a new Esto Gallery at Architect Magazine.

This gallery looks at Brutalism, the genre that has recently been steeped in controversy. The gallery shows buildings by Rudolph, Kahn, Breuer, Saarinen and others. The photographs are by Jeff Goldberg, Ezra Stoller and Wayne Andrews. In addition to the buildings is the image of Paul Rudolph on the roof of his Miami parking garage.

While Ezra Stoller and Wayne Andrews’ images are older, Jeff Goldberg’s photographs of the Orange County Government Center were taken earlier this year. They show the strength of the project as well as it’s current condition as it’s never been seen before. These images have energized the preservation effort for the building. More of Jeff’s images of this Louis Kahn building are at EstoStock, and there is an earlier EstoNews post.

Accompanying the gallery Deane Madsen writes that “Given recent controversy over Brutalist buildings being put in the path of the wrecking ball, it seems appropriate to re-examine some of these structures that, while often lauded in their heyday, are currently demonized by the public. ARCHITECT Editor-in-Chief Ned Cramer, Assoc. AIA, noted in a recent editorial that “it’s a bad time to be a Brutalist building.” But as supporters of Paul Rudolph’s Orange County Government Center learned when they won a vote to not tear down the building (albeit by a narrow margin), the tide may be turning.

Brutalism as a concept evolved, according to architectural critic and theorist Reyner Banham, from “reference[s] to béton brut (raw concrete), which had been one of the most controversial features of Le Corbusier’s recently finished Unité block in Marseilles … and, not least, the art brut of Dubuffet.” [quoted from Reyner Banham’s Historian of the Immediate Future, page 125]

Admirers of the genre celebrate Brutalist buildings for their precast concrete walls with rough, unfinished surfaces; detractors tend to see only their massive forms, which can seem leaden, heavy, and overbearing. Take a look at these pictures, and decide for yourself whether you’re in favor of preservation or demolition.”

Wyckoff Exchange, Photographs by Francis Dzikowski, on Architect

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:17:31 -0400

The Wyckoff Exchange appears in Architect Magazine in the Project Detail Section. Francis Dzikowski photographed the renovated retail and cultural space in Bushwick Brooklyn, designed by Andre Kikoski Architect. The article includes a slideshow of Francis’ images, and the full project can be seen at EstoStock. There is also an earlier EstoNews post of the Wyckoff exchange.

The project is described by Andre Kikoski:

The Wyckoff Exchange is an economical and adaptive re-use of two abandoned warehouses to create 10,000 square feet of retail and cultural space in Bushwick, Brooklyn. This place is marked by the strong traces of a gritty industrial past, and is rapidly transforming into a center of art and creativity.

Our design solution offers an innovative response of what a modest retail building could be. We designed a trademark façade that responds to the place and purpose of this commission, paying careful attention to the resolution of formal and technical issues with extremely modest means. The choice of materials and technologies in this project is highly considered.

The design relies upon five pairs of motorized scissor doors/panels, whose technology is adapted from warehouses. The position of the façade panels creates a dynamic expression of purpose within: by day the panels fold up to create awnings for the stores and to shelter pedestrians; by night they fold down to secure the shops.

The panels consist of a steel frame that is clad in a double layered skin. The outer layer is textured Cor-Ten steel. The inner layer is shimmering light-gauge stainless steel. Each layer is laser cut with a different gradient pattern. And each double-layer panel is internally illuminated by LEDs.

While industrial in nature, the texture of the Cor-Ten steel responds to the modulation of daylight. The sun set transforms the richly oxidized surface into a Rothko-like canvas. At night these simple materials and technologies create a contemporary glowing mural of light, 100 feet long, eighteen feet tall, and only two inches deep.

The Wyckoff Exchange is dramatic and highly tactile. At once both simple and complex, the design uses a modest kit of parts of technology, material and light to create a sophisticated yet playful building, offering a fresh, bold, and different understanding of a retail venue.

David Sundberg Photographs in Casabella

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:50:36 -0400

David Sundberg’s photographs of the Signature Theatre in New York are featured in a 14-page story in the August edition of Casabella.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the complex houses new theatres, rehearsal studios, offices, a café and bookstore. In all three theatres, plywood is used to create distinctive walls with a craftsman finish. In its new home, the company continues it’s world-renowned, award-winning programs and productions. And best of all, tickets are $25 each.

More of David’s photographs of the Theatre can be seen at EstoStock and his full portfolio at EstoPortfolios.

Jeff Goldberg Photographs Rudolph's Orange County Government Center

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:53:44 -0400

Last month Jeff Goldberg ventured to the Orange County Government Center in Goshen, NY to record the endangered complex for the Esto archive.Â Jeff’s photographs appear on Docomomo and in an online portfolio.

The building, designed by Paul Rudolph, has been the subject of a bitter controversy surrounding its future.

The World Monuments Fund describes the building: “the structure is a testament to the era when civic architecture was forging new avenues in design and construction. From its textured concrete exterior to its open floor plan, the building has all the hallmarks of Rudolphâs unique architectural style. Preservationists see the artistic value of the building and the legacy of previous county administrators wishing to present Goshen as a thriving and dynamic community. The Orange County government should be responsible stewards of this legacy.”

DocomomoÂ has an update on the situation, writing that itâs been “relatively quiet on the Brutalist architecture front in Goshen, NY since the Orange County legislature failed to pass a $14.6 million bond resolution that would have funded the demolition of the Paul Rudolph designed Government Center (1967) and construction of a new building.”

Even in its current stateâyears of neglected maintenance, storm damage and vacancy since last Fallâthe Orange County Government Center embodies a caliber of Modern civic architecture rare in the 1960s and rarer today.

The World Monuments Fund has an online petition to support saving this important building.

Summer in NY, Photo by David Sundberg

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:24:54 -0400

Last week, on a humid July evening, David Sundberg captured this moment under the 59th Street Bridge.

Where there were once air-structure tennis courts, there is now a baseball field.

More images of the city are in David’s portfolio New York at Night.

Francis Dzikowski Spotted on Top of Julliard

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:28:53 -0400

We recently got this note from Francis Dzikowski:

“Dana Meilijson, a photographer who often works with me, took this photograph while on the roof of Julliard photographing H3’s new LCT3 Theater.”

A review by Paul Goldberger of the H3/Hardy Collaboration Architecture’s Claire Tow Theater appeared in Vanity Fair. Read an earlier EstoNews post about the project here.

And, you can see Francis’ most recent portfolio here.

Albert Vecerka's BBG Photographs in Architect Magazine

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:51:46 -0400

Albert Vecerka’s photographs of the new Visitors Center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden appear in Architect Magazine.

In addition to the article describing the interconnected sinuous pavilions, there is a slideshow which allows Albert’s images to describe the spaces.

An earlier post about the project is here and another post sharing other press coverage of the Visitor Center is here.Â Albert’s images of the project also appear in ArchDaily.

Olympics: New Esto Gallery at Architect.com

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:39:56 -0400

With the London Olympics beginning this weekend, Architect Magazine has posted a new Esto Gallery showing architectural achievements from past games. The gallery includes stadiums by Santiago Calatrava in Athens and the Beijing Bird’s Nest by Herzog and De Meuron with Ai Weiwei.

The full gallery and slideshow is at Architect Magazine.

Two Projects by Jeff Goldberg in Metal Fabrication

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:03:40 -0400

There are two of Jeff Goldberg’s projects in Metals in Construction.

The Spring 2012 issue includes the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies that Jeff Goldberg documented for the architects, Mitchell/Giurgola.

Jeff also photographed The Gateway Center at Westchester Community College for Ennead Architects. Jeff’s images run from pages 20 through 35.

Metals in Construction is published by The Steel Institute of New York and The Ornamental Metal Institute of New York.

Jeff Goldberg’s most recent portfolio can be seen at Esto Portfolios.

Albert Vecerka and David Sundberg in Architectural Record

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:45:33 -0400

Architectural Record has projects by both David Sundberg and Albert Vecerka in its most recent issue.

The new Brooklyn Botanic Garden by Weiss Manfredi was photographed by Albert Vecerka. The full article is here.

David Sundberg photographed Via Verde, the housing complex in the Bronx designed by the offices of Dattner and Grimshaw. The full Record article is here.

There are also earlier earlier EstoNews posts about Via Verde and the BBG Visitors Center.

Masonic Amphitheatre, Photos by Jeff Goldberg

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:39:20 -0400

The Masonic Amphitheatre in Blacksburg, Virginia is now open. Jeff Goldberg has been chronicling the construction of the project by the Virginia Tech design/build LAB.

John Cary writes of the Amphitheatre in Public Interest Design, that “even amidst our daily blog posts, it’s still a rare and special moment when we hear about or see a project that just takes our breath away.” You can read the full post here, which includes details about this project and the design/build LAB.

The Masonic Amphitheatre is also featured on ArchDaily and is onWorld Architects

An earlier post shows the students in the middle of the construction phase. There is also a post about last year’s studio project, the Covington Farmer’s Market.

In addition to the still images, that will be on EstoStock soon, Jeff made a video of the project:

Masonic Amphitheatre from Esto on Vimeo.

Anton Grassl in ArchDaily

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 09:00:01 -0400

Anton Grassl’s images of the Mandel Humanities Center at Brandeis University appear on ArchDaily.Â The project by Kallmann McKinnell & Wood ArchitectsÂ provides space for teaching, research and gathering to achieve three primary purposes:

â¢ provide a place which brings people together and fosters discourse
â¢ provide a place to foster interdisciplinary research among the Humanities and Sciences
â¢ bring together different disciplines and different peopleâ¦span all the communities.

Anton’s photographs are key to understanding how the program is brought to reality in the building.

Anton Grassl on ArchNewsNow

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:42:04 -0400

Anton Grassl’s image of the West Classroom Building at the University of Connecticut, is featured in an ArchNewsNow piece about Leers Weinzapfel’s campus work.Â Â John Gendall writes that “throughout the firmâs campus work, three themes begin to emerge: understanding the campus as an interconnected landscape and not simply a collection of buildings, maximizing classroom diversity, and creating spaces for collaborative learning.”

Anton has photographed a number of these campus projects including the MIT Media Lab, the Ohio State World Media/Culture Center and the Smith College Scott Gymnasium.

Later in the summer, Anton will be returning to the University of Connecticut to photograph a new residence hall.Â We will post those images when the job is finished.

In the meantime, Anton’s online portfolio shows a range of his work.

David Sundberg Photographs the Newly Renovated McCarren Pool

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:47:59 -0400

Located within the 35-acre McCarren Park, the McCarren Pool was one of eleven pools opened by Robert Moses in 1936.

The pool closed in 1984 and sat unused until the summer of 2005, when the empty pool basin opened as a popular venue for concerts, dance, and movies. In 2012, the renovated McCarren Pool opened as a center for year-round recreation for the residents of northern Brooklyn.

The renovation is designed by Rogers Marvel Architects. The rehabilitation of the Pool preserved the historic bathhouse building and entry arch.

It is forecast to be in the 90s all weekend. Stop by for a dip.

The pool, located at 475 Lorimer St. between Driggs Avenue and Bayard Street, is open from 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm. The best part: All NYC pools are free.

More information about the pool and park are at the McCarren Park Pool site.