designboom's guide archtober 2024: what not to miss during NYC's architecture month

archtober 2024: new york’s annual festival returns

The fourteenth-annual Archtober, a month-long tribute to architecture and design across New York City, is kicking off from October 1st to the 31st, 2024. The city is set to open its doors with a diverse lineup of events, exhibitions, and activities across the five boroughs to celebrate the built environment and the creative minds behind it. The platform has announced its 2024 theme, Tracing the Future, which explores ‘the evolving landscape of NYC through affordable housing, sustainable design, infrastructure, and more.’ This year the festival continues to partner with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, to offer the Archtober Guide.

‘Tracing the Future is more than a theme; it’s an invitation to explore how our architectural choices today will define tomorrow’s New York,‘ says Katie Mullen, Director of Archtober and Director of Exhibitions and Programs, Center for Architecture. ‘This year’s festival is a call to action for innovators and creatives to rethink established practices and explore new possibilities in improving our built environment.’

Archtober 2024, Tracing the Future, October 1st — 31st, 2024, image courtesy Archtober

For the first time in 2024, the Archtober festival will host a design competition, the “Greetings From…” Archtober Postcard Competition, which calls on designers of all backgrounds — from architects to illustrators, to enthusiasts — to envision the future of built space. The team at Archtober says: ‘We can imagine a focus on sensorial living or biophilic workspaces, or maybe you have an idea around accessible design or mass timber — whatever it is, we want to see.’ As always, Archtober’s popular Building of the Day series will take place daily, and will highlight historic buildings alongside both newly completed and in-progress works of architecture and infrastructure. 

‘As Archtober continues to grow each year, we’re eager to engage more New Yorkers from every borough in the discussion around architecture and design,’ says Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA, Executive Director, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture. ‘We are thrilled to partner with 100+ organizations under this year’s festival theme, Tracing the Future, to offer programs that invite new voices and begin to tackle key urban challenges such as housing, infrastructure, and livability. Our new postcard competition hopes to challenge our community and the public to imagine a city shaped by collective creativity, with sustainability and equity at the forefront.’

As a media partner of Archtober, designboom rounds up the must-see events and exhibitions where visitors can explore the city’s built landscape, meet the industry’s leading experts, and discover the creative scene which has shaped the iconic streets and skyline — see the full range of programs taking place on Archtober’s official website.

BUILDING OF THE DAY

Building of the Day, October 14th: Domino Sugar Refinery, PAU, images © Max Touhey

As part of Archtober’s Building of the Day series, the Domino Sugar Refinery, recently renovated by Practice for Architecture (PAU), will be featured. This historic structure is the sole remaining building from a 19th-century industrial complex. Originally comprised of three conjoined buildings with varying floor configurations, the renovation by PAU introduces a new structure within the existing masonry shell. By stepping back from the original walls, the design achieves standardized floor heights and creates a distinctive interstitial space between the old and new elements. See designboom’s coverage here!

what: Domino Sugar Refinery Building Tour (join the waitlist)

when: Monday, October 14th, 12:00 pm — 1:15 pm

where: 300 Kent Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York

Building of the Day, October 16th: Nine Chapel, SO – IL, image © Valeria Flores

Another highlight of Archtober’s Building of the Day series will be Nine Chapel Street, a new condominium building in Downtown Brooklyn. Developed by Tankhouse and designed by architecture firm SO – IL, Nine Chapel reimagines outdoor spaces for vertical living. The building’s distinctive perforated metal facade reflects light, providing privacy for the indoor-outdoor areas while maintaining transparency for ample light and expansive views. The project features twenty-seven residences, each offering at least two exposures and private outdoor space. See designboom’s coverage here!

what: Nine Chapel Street Building Tour (join the waitlist)

when: Wednesday, October 16th, 4:00 pm — 6:00 pm

where: Nine Chapel Street, Downtown Brooklyn, New York

PUMPKITECTURE

Pumpkitecture 2022, design by Architecture Research Office, image by Matthew Carasella

On the night before Halloween 2024, Pumpkitecture will return to the Center for Architecture, where teams of architects will compete in a live pumpkin-carving contest. In this sixth annual event, New York City-based firms will showcase their skills as they transform pumpkins into architectural creations, vying for the coveted Pritzkerpumpkin award. The competition will feature playful nods to architectural icons, as the Archtober team asks: ‘What firm will succeed in summoning the Brutal ghost of Marcel Booeuer or invoking the spirit of Michael Gravesyard?’ Attendees can watch the carving in action and vote for the People’s Pumpkin.

what: Pumpkitecture

when: Saturday, October 30th, 6:00 pm — 8:30 pm

where: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York

AIANY ARCHITECTURE BOAT TOUR

AIANY Around Manhattan Boat Tour, image courtesy Classic Harbor Line

Step aboard the elegant teak decks of Classic Harbor Line‘s 1920s-style classic yachts for a fully narrated architectural cruise around New York City, as part of Archtober, New York’s annual architecture festival. Led by expert guides from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) NYC chapter, this Around Manhattan tour offers insights detailed enough for locals yet accessible to visitors. The 2.75-hour cruise travels along the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers, with panoramic views of the city’s architectural landmarks, parks, infrastructure, and all eighteen bridges. Take in the sights from the climate-controlled observatory or step outside for fresh air and sweeping views.

what: AIANY Around Manhattan Architecture Boat Tour (find tickets here!)

when: Daily throughout October, 9:30 am — 12:15 pm

where: Pier 62, 62 Chelsea Piers, W 22nd St and the Hudson River 

GUIDED TOUR OF LITTLE ISLAND

Archtober will feature a guided tour of Little Island (see designboom’s coverage here!), led by landscape architect Signe Nielsen of MNLA and architect of record Fabian Jabro of Standard Architects. The tour will explore the transformation of a pier, destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, into an award-winning park that has since welcomed over five million visitors. Attendees will learn about the creation of the park’s winding pathways, vibrant plantings, and the iconic tulip-shaped planters that define its unique design. The tour begins under the South Bridge Pot Tunnel, and no RSVP is required.

what: Guided Tour of Little Island

when: Friday, October 11th, 2:00 pm & 3:30 pm

where: Little Island, Pier 55 in Hudson River Park at, W 13th St, New York

GREEN-WOOD ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR & AFTER HOURS

Green-Wood Cemetery, image courtesy Archtober

As part of Archtober, a special program of walking tours will be held at Green-Wood Cemetery. Grand Designs: Architecture at Green-Wood Walking Tour explores the cemetery’s rich display of architectural styles, showcasing design trends from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Visitors will encounter monuments and mausoleums created by prominent architects and artists of the era, with styles ranging from Gothic and Egyptian Revival to Art Nouveau. The tour also uncovers the stories of the individuals commemorated by these works, such as 17-year-old Charlotte Canda and John Matthews the ‘Soda Fountain King.’ 

Meanwhile, the Green-Wood After Hours walking tour offers the opportunity to explore its historic grounds at night. Participants will navigate the cemetery’s remarkable landscape, visiting the graves of notable figures from New York and American history. The tour concludes with a rare visit to the Catacombs, an area typically closed to the public.

what: Grand Designs: Architecture at Green-Wood Walking Tour (find tickets here)

when: Sunday, October 6th, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

where: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

what: Green-Wood After Hours (find tickets here)

when: Fridays — Sundays during Archtober, 6:30 pm — 8:30 pm

where: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

BROOKLYN NAVY YARD WALKING TOUR

Brooklyn Navy Yard, October 2018, image © Ian Bartlett

This guided walking tour of the Brooklyn Navy Yard offers a comprehensive look at the site’s past, present, and future. Established in 1801, the Navy Yard was once the nation’s leading naval shipyard, responsible for building and repairing vessels from the War of 1812 through the Cold War. Today, the historic site has been transformed into a hub for over 450 businesses, employing more than 11,000 people in industries such as manufacturing and technology. The two-hour tour explores the Yard’s naval and labor history through historical documents, oral histories, and visits to significant sites like Civil War-era machine shops, the museum and visitor center at BLDG 92, and an active dry dock still used for ship repair. Attendees will also learn about the Yard’s current business ecosystem, community programs, workforce development, and future plans. The Brooklyn Navy Yard will also host a World War II Tour on Sunday, October 13th, and an Architecture & Infrastructure Tour on Sunday October 27th.

what: Brooklyn Navy Yard: Past, Present & Future Walking Tour (find tickets here)

when: Saturday, October 5th & 26th, 2:00 pm — 4:00 pm

where: Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 77, 141 Flushing Ave

POLLINATOR LOUNGE

The Pollinator Lounge offers a space for rest and relaxation, designed specifically for insects, the Garden’s smallest visitors. This unique art installation, conceived by architects Joyce Hwang and Nerea Feliz, was brought to life by their students at the University at Buffalo and the University of Texas at Austin. The project prompts students to create three-dimensional artifacts that address the needs of insect pollinators, focusing on shelter from the elements and predators, as well as resources for their survival. The designs reflect a deep consideration for these nonhuman clients, featuring intricate details that create inviting habitats. Notably, each habitat incorporates UV paint to align with the visual perception of many insects, enhancing their experience of the space.

what: Pollinator Lounge

when: May 24th, 2024 — October 20th, 2024

where: Brooklyn Botanical Garden

PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION: HEDGEWORK

Hedgework, Brooklyn Navy Yard, image courtesy Archtober

Hedgework, an urban landscape intervention at Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 77, is a collaborative project created by Marek Walczak (CIVIC.SPACE), Mark Shepard (Center for Architecture and Situated Technologies), and Antonina Simeti (Timbre Consultants), alongside Robbie Lee and Wes Heiss. This installation takes the form of a sentient hedgerow, comprising a community of native plants and environmental sensors that foster a biodiverse habitat for both nature and human interaction.

Visitors can engage with the installation by sitting among the hedgerow’s plants and animals, using QR codes to interact with Hedgework through AI, or listening to the habitat’s unique soundtrack. The creators describe themselves as public artists, architects, and urban planners dedicated to enhancing the understanding and engagement between humans and nonhuman entities in the environment. Their work focuses on developing non-traditional educational platforms within urban spaces to elicit new responses.

Hedgework was constructed using materials sourced from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, including reused delivery pallets for weight, sand and stone from New York Sand & Stone, and a solar panel system from Voltaic Systems that powers the bird feeder and plant bed cameras.

what: Hedgework

when: May 18th, 2024 — November 10th, 2024

where: Forecourt at Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 77, 141 Flushing Ave

ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE TOUR

Alice Austen House, courtesy Archtober

Staten Island’s Alice Austen House will offer a tour tracing the architectural evolution of the historic building, from its early days as a Dutch farmhouse to its later transformation into a Victorian Gothic cottage. The tour will explore the blend of architectural styles that reflect the shifting tastes of different periods, while also offering insight into the life and work of pioneering photographer Alice Austen. The Alice Austen House serves as a space for encouraging creative expression and exploring personal identity, using the home and photographs of Alice Austen (1866–1952) to educate and inspire visitors.

what: Dutch Farmhouse to Victorian Gothic Cottage: The Architecture of The Alice Austen House (find tickets here)

when: Every Thursday during Archtober (October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31), 2:00 pm — 3:00 pm

where: Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd Staten Island, NY

SHIGERU BAN: THE PAPER LOG HOUSE

Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House, image courtesy Archtober

Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House at The Glass House marks the first exhibition of this innovative structure in North America in six years. In collaboration with The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at The Cooper Union, thirty-six architecture students will gain practical experience by assembling the Paper Log House, a 14 by 14-foot enclosure constructed from paper tubes, wood, and milk crates. This design, created by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, has provided temporary housing for disaster victims across five continents over the past 30 years. As part of a special project in the school’s Building Technology course, students will fabricate the components at The Cooper Union and then assemble the structure on the grounds of The Glass House. See designboom’s coverage of the Paper Log House here!

what: Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House

when: April 15th, 2024 — December 15th, 2024

where: The Glass House, 199 Elm St, New Canaan, Connecticut

JAMES CASEBERE: SHOU SUGI BAN SCULPTURES

‘T’ Space presents an exhibition of new sculptural work by James Casebere, titled Shou Sugi Ban Sculptures, on view from July 20th to October 13th, 2024, at the Archive Gallery in Rhinebeck, NY. Known for his exploration of architecture through model photography, Casebere has more recently turned to creating physical structures. This exhibition features a series of large geometric sculptures that engage with themes of synthetic nature and bio-design, evoking organic or inorganic growth.

The sculptures, constructed from sustainable bamboo plywood using the traditional Japanese wood preservation technique Shou Sugi Ban, offer a tactile, analog experience. The burning process imbues the surfaces with warmth, referencing both the destructiveness of fire and the passage of time. Casebere’s work for this indoor gallery setting draws connections to his past installations, blending tradition with technological innovation and engaging with notions of both past and future.

what: James Casebere: Shou Sugi Ban Sculptures

when: July 20th, 2024 — October 13th, 2024

where: ‘T’ Space, 60 Round Lake Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 

project info:

event: Archtober | @archtober

dates: October 1st — 31st, 2024

location: New York (various)