This coming week, March 13th – 21st, New York is celebrating design!
Exhibitions, educational programming and special events about art, architecture and design. Including, the Architectural Digest Home Design Show and the AIPAD Photography Show. It is going to be great fun and we’re excited to go!
No, IKEA will not be here
Images from Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2010,
I’ve been anticipating the opening of Section 2 of the High Line since I moved to Chelsea 3 years ago. The promenade, build on top of old elevated train tracks and stretching 1.45 miles (2.3 km), is not just a beautiful recreational addition to Manhattan’s West Side – it is an indicator (and hopefully instigator) of modern urban planning.
The CO-OP team exploring the High Line Summer 2010
Section 2 of the High Line is under construction
The High Line is connecting a jungle of different cultures and experiences found along it – from new super constructions to old historic buildings, car repair shops and public housing to art galleries and the Meatpacking District. More than that, the urban investment is already showing to be a magnet for development, and proving the power of planning in igniting economic, cultural and community growth. Seeing how the High Line floods over its edges and along the streets its shadow covers to create opportunities inspired me to explore new ideas in urban planning. What are the new trends?
Jane Jacobs’ radical ideas of the 60’s seem to have merit in modern planning as well. Her planning ideals – multipurpose streets and districts, small block, variety in building personalities, and dense populations – finds parallels in the simple innovations of Anthony Lyons and David Green’s urban development in Gainesville Florida. Their focus – small blocks, walkability and a flexible structure – creates an “environment conducive to creative solutions” adaptable over time. Hopefully, their simple genius will inspire others.
In the US, two themes seem to be especially popular entering into 2011; bike sharing and livable cities. Bike Sharing is expanding across America building momentum in its attractiveness to the everyday commuter. Livable cities, a concept focusing on ecologic, economic and social sustainability, argues that “livable cities – easily navigated by foot and bicycle – foster happy, healthy, fit communities of people” while fostering growth in the economy and entrepreneurship. Both movements, with micro and marco benefits, are easily adaptable systems.
Bike Sharing Development in New York
It is not always urban planning or interest groups driving changes in a neighborhood. In Manhattan’s Financial District, economic and technological changes are forcing city planners to think in new directions. With more and more trading being done electronically, the need to be in a set location is diminishing and financial companies are leaving the financial district for more convenient locations. This gives space to residents, hotels, media companies, law firms, and tech companies who are increasing their migration to the area. As planners will begin to consider the change in culture and plan accordingly, how will the current trends in urban planning guide and affect changes in the Financial District?
How will the Financial District adapt to its new characteristics?
Images and movie from:
Books about design are increasing in popularity and selection
For many reasons people have become more curious about the design process. As design is becoming part of everyday vocabulary people have also increasingly become fascinated and want to understand it. The Curious are understanding that the designs they see are a result of a process more difficult to understand. The wish to comprehend it (good luck!) has increased the attention the design process receives.
The phrase design process is being used much more today, in all forms of medias and industries. The phrase receives more that 4 million hits on Goggle and likely almost as many attempts to define it. In addition to the demand for information, the access (aka the Internet) has made it possible to gain and share it.
We live in a world where design and the creative process no longer belongs to just the designers. The process is being shared – the magic of how great design is transferred from idea to outcome is adapted to new industries. For example, the Human Centered Design Toolkit is a free guide for NPO’s to create social innovation by adapting a design process. Giving NPO’s access to the Toolkit has resulted in revolutionary innovations for several NPO efforts.
The Human Centered Design Toolkit has instigated new thinking and great innovations in the nonprofit world
Furthermore, performance art, live-action painting, and open art studios are growing in followings. Ben Johnson invited us into his art studio and creative process this winter through a video online . Herman Miller is sharing its designs, research, and thinking with the world. Their process, focused on sustainability, efficiency, and good design I am hoping others will ‘steal’ because it is a design process we all should adopt.
Ben Johnson in his studio
The increase in openness and transparency is great and it can help center consumers’ attention upon who you are and the values you are offering as a company. It is interesting times we are living in.
Images from:
http://www.wallpaper.com/video/art/insidei-artist-ben-johnsons-studio/676057995001
http://www.ideo.com/work/human-centered-design-toolkit/
http://www.wallpaper.com/gallery/art/ben-johnson/17052199#38034
http://www.dwell.com/articles/dwell-labs-architecture-and-design-books.html
Content © CO-OP 2011.
