AIA Offices
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A two stage competition to design the New York AIA (American Institute of Architects) new offices. The first phase of a competition for the AIA's new offices on LaGuardia Place, proposed giving the AIA a stronger street presence and bringing light into the lower levels of the building while leaving the majority of the existing space unchanged... Cuts made into the existing concrete floor become light-well walls bringing light into the two basements of the building. These curved polycarbonate walls are organized around key programmatic elements that are then revealed in the floor plan of the most public floor. The existing concrete frame of the building is left untouched. The second phase of the competition attempted to give the AIA greater presence by giving them a grand space that would be able to be used not only for AIA events but also as a space to rent out. This space is created by removing the floor plate of the two levels and opening the space up as a multi story space with a concrete framework. The ground level becomes a glass theater as a sheet of glass stretches from the side walk into the space to create a theater/exhibition space and then curves up to become a projection wall. This structure is completely supported on glass beams that are tied back into the existing concrete frame. Below this lecture/exhibition space is the main event space. The AIA offices are in a three story tower along the back wall, open to both the main space and the alleyway in the back.