Yale’s Rustic Kroon Hall Fits Carbon Neutral Technology

The new Kroon Hall at Yale University strikes a rustic note with its barn-like form and thick vaulting roof, as if made of thatch. It’s not about quaint, since it is among the few buildings in America that can claim to be almost carbon neutral — the Holy Grail in the battle against global warming. That “thatch” supports photovoltaic panels.

Yale’s Rustic Kroon Hall Fits Carbon Neutral Technology: Review James S. Russell Bloomberg 7/20/09

-Chris

Tsien and Pelli recipients of the 2009 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards

Minneapolic Public Libraries

Former Dean of the Architecture School, Cesar Pelli and visiting professor, Billie Tsien have both been named recipients of the 2009 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards.

The new Minneapolis Central Library is a vital civic landmark and cultural center for downtown Minneapolis. The highly sustainable design, which arose from a collaborative, public process, reinvigorates the idea of the grand urban library for new generations.

Read the full press release here.

-Chris

Two at the Yale Rep named Theater Arts Fellows

Jennifer Tipton, the Yale Repertory Theatre lighting design adviser, and Bill Rauch, the Rep associate artist, were named 2008 United States Artists Fellows in Theater Arts and will receive a $50,000 grant, a press release from the Yale School of Drama said Tuesday.

Briefly: Two at the Yale Rep named Theater Arts Fellows Esther Zuckerman YDN 11/12/08

Chicago architect Douglas Garofalo gets $50,000 grant for artistic excellence

So why are Garofalo’s buildings making the covers of architectural magazines? And why was he tapped last year for a coveted teaching position at the Yale School of Architecture, where he used to be a student?

Perhaps because he stands at a unique juncture between two conflicting worlds: the old world of hand-drawn blueprints and two-by-fours; and the new world of computer software that makes possible a dazzling variety of shapes. Even in his skilled hands, however, these twisting, bending forms sometimes look better on the computer screen than when they get built.

Chicago architect Douglas Garofalo gets $50,000 grant for artistic excellence Blair Kamin Chicago Tribune 11/10/08

Posted by Chris

MOS of New Haven wins Strip Mall Redesign Contest

1st Award of Excellence Winner, MOS, New Haven, Connecticut

Architecture firm MOS of New Haven has been announced the winner in Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’s Strip Mall Redesign Contest.

Via Interior Design: The Phoenix Metropolitan area is swathed in a post-war design trend many consider a blemish on the suburban landscape: the strip mall. Surveying the global architecture community, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) launched a competition in late 2007 to redesign these now aging, dilapidated shopping pavilions. Winners of the Flip a Strip competition were announced on October 4.

Thanks to Design New Haven!

Posted by Chris

New Haven Mayor’s Community Arts Grant

The Mayor’s Community Arts Grants Program has been designed to support the community by providing financial, marketing and technical assistance for arts and cultural related programs, projects and events which occur in New Haven neighborhoods.

Individuals who are presenting, teaching or practicing artists and non-profit arts organizations working with neighborhood-based community and/or youth or senior groups in the City of New Haven. Eligible activities include: festivals, parades, exhibitions, murals/public art, children’s activities, inter-generational programs, arts education, film, public performances, neighborhood collaborations and apprenticeships.

The application deadline is June 4, 2008. A total of $25,000 will be awarded through grants up to $2,000. The grant application package is available for download on the City’s website, visit this website. For more information about the program, please contact Kim Futrell at (203) 946-7172 or kfutrell@newhavenct.net.

Press release here.

Jean Nouvel wins Pritzker

French architect Jean Nouvel is the 2008 Pritzker Architecutre Prize Laureate. Recent project by Nouvel include the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minn. and an extension to the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain. He recently released a design for a 75 story residential skyscraper in New York City as well.

NYT slide-show of his work here.

Posted by: Ian

4 Yale staff members in “Images 2008″

‘Images 2008’ exhibition includes works by three Yale staff members Yale Bulletin February 15, 2008|Volume 36, Number 18

“The Yale affiliates and their works that are being showcased this year are Terry M. Dagradi, image specialist in Information Technology Services-Medical Media Group, ‘Low Light, Alexandria, Virginia’; Michael Marsland, University photographer, ‘Broken Horse, New Mexico’; and Joy Sherman, a coordinator in the Grants and Contracts Department, ‘Julianne.’”

According to the Shoreline Arts “Images” website, “This annual, juried photography competition is open to all residents of Connecticut and is highly regarded for excellence statewide.” Keep an eye on their website for “Call for Entry Guidelines” for 2009.

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Addition: Sharon Hirsch, associate manager of the Costume Shop and a lecturer at the Yale School of Drama, is also in the exhibition for: “Overlook at the Edge of the World.” Make That Four February 22, 2008|Volume 36, Number 19 Yale Bulletin

Posted by: Tanya

2 Opportunities for artists at ALL Gallery

8.5″ x 11″ Project

The 8.5″ x 11″ Project is a non-juried exhibition of original works that will fit within 8.5″ x 11″ clear plastic sleeves oriented horizontally. Works may be realistic or abstract, composed of any medium or combination of media, purely visual or combining visual and literary art. The exhibition will be shown in three phases. In Phase I, all works will be displayed in a site-specific installation at ALL. In Phase II, works will be organized and displayed in binders for up to one year. In Phase III, ALL will seek opportunities to exhibit the works at other venues.

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BLACK + WHITE

Black + White is a juried exhibition of black and white photography that reveals the truth that exists between two extremes through the medium’s unique ability to capture subtleties and nuances. Works can be film or digital photography, and may explore the theme through internal and personal experiences, human relationships and conditions, political or social issues, the environment, abstraction or other interpretations.

Posted by: Tanya

Ready, Set, Design: Work as a Contest

Ready, Set, Design: Work as a Contest
ROBIN POGREBIN New York Times August 19, 2007

Article on Architectural Competitions.

“…Relatively few architects can afford to opt out. ‘There are blue-chip architects who get work without competing, on their name alone,’ Mr. [Peter] Eisenman said. ‘We don’t get jobs just given to us.’

“’Ninety percent of our work comes from winning competitions — and losing competitions,’ he added.”

Posted by: Tanya

Artist Calls

Calling All Artists: The Greenwich Workshop’s First Annual SmallWorks North America Exhibition and Competition

Creative Arts Workshop: 2007 Installation Proposals: CAW’s Gallery Committee will accept submissions for the 2007 August Installation artist(s) beginning in Fall 2006.

Artist in Residence: The Milford Fine Arts Council’s Firehouse Art Gallery is now accepting applications for its Artist in Residence.

Find more Calls for CT Artists, Architects, and Theater People at Link To The Arts.

Posted by: Tanya

Sustainable Building Challenge 2007-2008

Via the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): “iiSBE [International Initiative for Sustainable Built Environment] invites all those with experience in designing, building or operating high performance buildings to take part in the Sustainable Building Challenge 2007-2008.

The SBC08 process will result in the selection of a broad range of high-performance buildings from around the world to be assessed by the proponents and then presented and discussed at the World Sustainable Building Conference in Melbourne, Australia in September, 2008. The process is open to any broad-scope assessment system, including LEED.”

Check out the official press release here. And read more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) here. Call for Expressions of Interest closes on 29 June, 2007.

Yale Drama Series Award

Irish writer’s play about Siamese twins wins Yale Drama Series award May 11, 2007|Volume 35, Number 28 Yale Bulletin

“‘The Boys from Siam,’ a play by Irish writer John Austin Connolly, has been chosen as the first winner of the Yale Drama Series competition.

“Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee chose the winning play from more than 500 submissions…The Yale Drama Series competition is a major new annual award for emerging playwrights in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

“…Submissions for the 2008 Yale Drama Series competition must be postmarked no earlier than July 15, 2007 and no later than Aug. 15, 2007.”

Competition Rules

Posted by: Tanya

The National Award for Arts Writing

Tired of overly academic/jargon-filled writing about architecture, theater, and art history? The Arts Club of Washington has begun a national contest to encourage better writing in the arts.  According to their webpage,

“The Award of $15,000, the only one of its kind the country, is given annually in recognition of excellence in writing about the arts for a broad audience.”

In their press release, they write:

“’Too much writing about the arts is academic or filled with jargon,’ says Sarah Browning, coordinator of the prize. ‘But we believe the arts are for everyone. We want to recognize writing that creates a strong connection with arts and artists.’ The Award celebrates prose that is ‘lucid, luminous, clear, and inspiring.’”

Books in all of the arts–including the ones covered by this blog– are considered.

The inaugural prize has gone to Scott Reynolds Nelson, author of Steel Drivin’ Man: John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend.

Barnes & Noble

Posted by: Tanya