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, 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 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 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