Center for Architecture

Quite an interesting place. Some of the other reviewers said that it is geared more towards architects or those who are studying architecture… I only have a passing interest in architecture and nothing in this museum was over my head.
I really appreciate how most of the museum centers around one theme of affordable housing and different ways to arrive at this goal.
This is a working space so you’ll be crossing paths with office workers. We missed out on part of the basement exhibit because they were setting up for an event.
Another improvement would be to see more of the interiors of the buildings/​models. I am interested in how people live so this would have been nice to see.
Overall this was an interesting couple of hours and I appreciate that it is free.

They were shifting exhibits on my visit, so I entered the northernmost of the 2 entrances (slightly off the exhibits with a receptionist) to reach the 3 floors (2 subterranean levels, the bottom without much to see, made smaller by copious AIA seating). FYI for those who trek here, restrooms were locked and the signage was minimal even for exhibits not being replaced, but hey it’s free.

The Center for Architecture can very well be a symbol for the salvation of our generation’s children. Why, you say? In a world in which kids find optimal stimulation in front of a computer, this little museum sparked the curiosity and imagination of my ten-​year old mentee, who usually finds science boring.
Thanks goodness for Archtober.
Archtober is NYC’s Architecture and Design Month and the Center hosted a kids’ day for artwork and pseudo-​design. It’s obviously during October.
Aside from making greenhouses out of popsicle sticks and coloring gargoyle masks, the exhibited work featured here is nothing short of fascinating. Models, blueprints, of cities real and imaginary, the good work featured here is both cerebral and entertaining enough for kids to drool over.*
*there were a handful if kids who needed pacifiers but their parents were presumably too fixated on the architectural works.

This place was pretty awesome, even though it was small — Right now they are featuring a lot of beautiful buildings and scapes that are in Asian countries. They also had a lot of explanations in the text descriptions of each «artwork» to discuss why these buildings were made like how they are. They also feature time lapse videos of some of my favorite cities in Asia. I can probably sit there all day to watch them repeat on and on. Museum is completely free and. surprisingly empty. Although you might not spend much time here because of its size, I still think it’s a great feeling to appreciate these huge buildings people take so much time and spend so much money to create! Amazing!

The exhibitions here aren’t the most informative – in fact, you’d learn more walking into the exhibition, picking up a free exhibition pamphlet, and walking out – but I am happy with any arts venue that is free and stays open late (i.e. past 6pm) on weeknights. Right now, if you check out the (admittedly paltry) FitNation exhibit, you can enjoy access to a ping pong table. It’s free and no one’s ever there! Go nuts!

Came here for a private events back in April, after many attempts to drop by for a visit on weekend. (Close on Sunday)
Great space for light wine sipping and chit-​chatting over exhibited projects. The Venue is divided into many rooms. I believe the lecture hall is in the basement.
Its not an exciting place if you don’t know what you’re looking at, so come prepare or bring a friend who is in the industry.
Staff are always very friendly, every time I walk in. Hope to be back for a lecture or another private event soon!

I’m a HUGE fan of architecture both old and modern so this place made me feel like a kid walking into a candy store!!. Photography of different architectures, projects, urban planning, skyscrapers, models of the «Hudson Yards» project, etc you name it! Loved the fact that it was free too! Too bad the galleries were closed due to a private event (not sure if that’s free though).
Will definitely return to check out new exhibits and projects!
**RESTROOMS AVAILABLE for those of you who need to «go”***

There’s a pretty cool mirror that’s circular with square mirrors around it. And there are some pretty neat digital renderings of potential future things to do with a pier in Harlem.
But I couldn’t really figure out the layout of the building… but maybe that’s ’cause I’m an architectural moron.
Oh, and you’ll be guilted into taking the stairs to burn calories and fat as the signs next to the elevator so kindly remind you.

A great space — I never knew that the Center for Architecture was right there on LaGuardia and I frequent that part of the Village a lot. I was impressed with the space and the exhibits. Last week I attended a screening of a documentary that featured in the Montréal International Festival of Films on Art, «A City Hall For All Occasions» Directed by Nils Vest (Denmark). It was introduced by The Consul General of Denmark, Ambassador Jarl Frijs-​Madsen. It was a documentary film about Copenhagen’s city hall, completed in 1903, which is one of that city’s emblematic monuments and a great achievement of the Danish architect Martin Nyrop (1849 – 1921). They have a lot of exhibits and presentations, most of them free of charge. Check out their website under the Calendar of Events section. Now that I know where it is and all the great exhibits they present, I will definitely be back.

The Center for Architecture is a great exhibit space and center for AIA and LEED professionals, and also those interested in architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, and transportation.
I really like how the center is open until 8pm on weekdays (until 5pm on Saturdays, closed on Sundays) and is free of charge!
I recently visited the center to view the «The Future of Transportation in Urban Life» exhibit. It took about an hour to view the 2030 transportation planning proposals for all ten cities. The proposals were of particular interest to me since I’m a LEED professional working in the transit industry.
I have visited the center two prior times, both for the AIA Design Awards (in 2007 and 2008). That is one heck of an event, but is invite only.
I applaud how the center’s «green initiative» of utilizing geothermal heating and cooling. They stated they are the first facility in NYC to do so. For this alone, I give the center a 5-​star rating!

Definitely a great spot of interest for those in the architecture profession or just browsing around in Greenwich Village. The exhibits they present change every so often and the calendar of events often hosts great lecturers and design development ideas for the community (and beyond). The space is nothing to too out of this world, but the current exhibition displaces commonplace architectural engineering and presents some marvels around the world that mankind had the audacity to dream up.
Also, for any people looking to get more involved in the design community, the center also hosts meetings for Architecture for Humanity… a nonprofit which supports integrated design into the urban landscape for the betterment of community interest.