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Matsue City is steeped in history, from carefully preserved samurai residences and tea houses to the majestic fortress of Matsue Castle. Completed in 1611, Matsue Castle is one of only a few castles in Japan to retain its original castle keep and is designated a national treasure. At this talk, Matsue Mayor Akihito Uesada illuminates the city’s fascinating samurai history, rich cultural heritage and culinary treasures. The program includes an exclusive viewing of a historical reenactment video of the construction and establishment of Matsue Castle. Previously only available on-site at the Matsue City Museum, this video is being shown for the first time outside Japan—at Japan Society. Attendees will also discover Matsue’s culture first-hand through special on-stage demonstrations by some of the city’s highly skilled craftspeople.

Emily Badger, the New York Times urban policy writer, will deliver this year's Lewis Mumford Lecture at The City College of New York on Thursday, April 27. Her talk, 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture's Sciame Auditorium, is entitled, "Pressing Change in the Increasing Inflexible City." It will focus on how cities must change as the nation emerges from the pandemic. To watch virtually, a Zoom link is available. Badger writes about cities and urban policy for The Upshot from the Times' Washington bureau where she covers the interconnections between housing, transportation, and inequality. Her Mumford lecture discusses how cities will respond to the changing dynamics of urban life. Buildings that once housed businesses will have to be modified to accommodate the needs of those who will soon live there. Hotels, once temporary lodgings for people on the road, will have to be adapted as single-room-occupancy spaces for those who need permanent addresses. Sidewalks will turn into eateries, and parking lanes will become bus corridors. Increasingly, roads dedicated to cars will be adapted as bicycle paths and walkways for pedestrians.

ECO Solidarity 2023 brings together emerging European designers and studios represented by EUNIC NY, the European Union National Institutes for Culture. This year’s edition focuses on design with empathy, addressing some of the world’s most pressing conditions of human health and wellbeing.

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), North America’s premier contemporary furnishing design fair, and WantedDesign Manhattan, a ‘show within the show’ dedicated to high-end North American studios and international emerging designers, return to New York’s Javits Center on May 21-23, 2023.

DIFFA by Design (DBD)—one of the design industry’s most celebrated fundraisers—is returning with an exciting new home at ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan, May 21–23 during NYCxDESIGN. DIFFA’s signature event promises to be spectacular—local and international brands and designers will showcase extraordinary installations in support of DIFFA’s mission to raise awareness and funds treatment, education, and assistance for people impacted by HIV/AIDS, homelessness, hunger, and mental health issues. DIFFA BY DESIGN will be open to ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan badge holders during all three days of the show, which is open to trade professionals Sunday, May 21 and Monday, May 22 and to both trade as well as consumers on Tuesday, May 23. There will be a ticketed entrance for consumers/non-badgeholders and a number of features including a pop-up shop, auction, and events, including a ticketed Gala on Monday, May 22 from 6-10pm. Tickets and more information are available at diffa.org.

“Building Faces Wrecking Ball.
So Does Couples’ Friendship” – NY Times (2015)

Beyond Architecture - A Symposium presented by Disrupt Media and Out of Architecture

Since Japan and the West began exchanging ideas in the mid-19th century, Japanese design sensibilities—from elaborate kimono garments and meticulously raked gardens to lavish compositions of ukiyo-e woodblock prints—have had wide appeal across Europe and the United States. Often ornate yet minimalistic, Japanese design embodies numerous visual approaches underpinning the notion of “just right” or “just enough,” known as hodo-hodo. While no single element characterizes the entirety of Japanese design culture, many scholars attribute the spectrum of Japanese design to cultural, social and spiritual practices deeply grounded in Japan’s history that continue to be observed in Japanese design practices today. Featuring a discussion with Taku Satoh, one of Japan’s most critically acclaimed contemporary designers, alongside two internationally recognized authorities on Japanese design sensibilities, Linda Hoaglund (bilingual filmmaker and cultural producer) and Sarah Teasley (Professor of Design, RMIT University), this live webinar will explore the underlying aesthetic and cultural roots essential for understanding the essence of Japanese design.

Geo-Conversations: Nature and Technology in Architecture

AIA New York Center of Architecture open its doors to the public for a very special book launch by Alper Derinboğaz. He is founder of Salon, the internationally renowned architecture studio based in Istanbul, Berlin and recently Los Angeles known for its award-winning projects such as the Museum of Istanbul, pandemic-resistant office design Ecotone and zero-emission Villa Topos.

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban is renowned for his innovative use of wood. Natural and beautiful, timber construction can also be a key tool in the fight against climate change through the creation of environmentally responsible buildings. Ban’s new book, Shigeru Ban: Timber in Architecture presents an in-depth examination of 45 of the architect’s works demonstrating the versatility of timber, from the undulating curves of the Centre Pompidou-Metz in France to the playful inversion of Japan’s Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre. At this talk, Ban examines the awe-inspiring use of wood throughout his career, shares his long history of humanitarian work, and offers insights on working toward a more sustainable future through architecture. Moderated by Matilda McQuaid, Acting Director of Curatorial and previously Head of Textiles at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Followed by a reception with a sale of autographed books. Program is the official U.S. book launch for Shigeru Ban: Timber in Architecture.

Title: “Contemporary DNA”
Date: 10:00 AM March 2 to 6:00 PM April 22, 2023
Venue: Friedman Benda New York
Address: 515 W 26th St 1st Floor
Subway: C or E train to 23rd Street
Event Website: www.friedmanbenda.com

January 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Roe v Wade ruling, just a year after this landmark legislation was overturned by the Supreme Court. In recognition of this historic event, and in response to the damaging repercussions of the recent Dobbs decision, the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation is convening the panel discussion, “Where Are We Now: 50 Years After Roe.“