Archtober 2016 in New York.

October in New York City is dedicated to architecture with Archtober. The Center of Architecture of AIA NYC is working with more than 50 participating organisations and sponsors to present for the sixth time a full programme of exhibitions, tours, talks, film screenings and more.


October 1 was the kick-off date for the sixth edition of Archtober, New York City's architecture and design festival. One of the world's most iconic cities boasting so many landmark buildings including major museums, the Scandinavian consulates, the Goethe Institut will host a large variety of events focusing on architecture.





The “Building of the Day” series of lunchtime tours is ever-popular, although it's worth noting that not every site is an actual building. The Archtober 2016 tours include such highlights as the Lowline Lab, a prototype for an underground public park, and a schoolyard featuring a garden and greenhouse called Edible Schoolyard PS7. Newly renovated and reopened St. Patrick's Cathedral is also on the roster of tour sites, along with 520 West 28 Str, the first NYC project by the late Zaha Hadid.





The Archtober Lounge at the Center for Architecture in New York was designed this year by SOFTIlab in collaboration with Archtoberi graphic designer Pentagram. Here visitors are greeted by an immersive installation of polyhedral walls and ceilings, and they can experience this unique space when they drop in to pick up programming information. 



Other highlights of this year's festival include “Communicating the Unbuilt”, a series of events combining lecture and immersive interactive experience using virtual reality technology by IrisVR, plus “Insecurities: Tracing Displacement and Shelter” an exhibition at MoMA exploring the global refugee crisis; a walking tour of the hills of Governors Island and “Pumpkitecture!” an architectural pumpkin carving competition.



Archtober is a citywide festival, a great way to really get to know New York City and its architecture and design. The festival also aims to reach out to more and more people and engage them in architecture, given that it leaves a bigger mark on our environment than any other art form. 
 
Christiane Bürklein

Archtober, from 1 to 31 October 2016.
New York City, USA
Find out more: http://archtober.org/
Images: Building of the Day series - see captions - courtesy of AIA NY