“The Future of Fifth Avenue” Credit: Rendering by Field Operations, Courtesy of New York City Hall
The AIA NY Global Dialogue Committee, Co-Chaired by KPF Director Rutger Huiberts, partnered with New London Architecture (NLA) on a November 6 symposium featuring representatives from city government, local neighborhoods, and the design field—including KPF Director Leif Lomo.
“NYLON: Activating Public Spaces in New York City and London” engaged experts working in the two cities in a discussion on “rethinking streetscapes to prioritize people, create dynamic and sustainable environments, and enhance the public realm.” Focused on “globally famous streets” in New York and London, the conversation aimed to address ways that designers can reallocate space in favor of people. Retail and tourist destinations such as Fifth Avenue in New York and Knightsbridge in London face “significant transport and mobility pressures,” giving rise to recent efforts to reposition and re-pedestrianize these urban arteries.
The program opened with welcome remarks by Emily Gabb, Head of Strategic Partnerships, NLA, from London, and Larisa Ortiz, Managing Director, Streetsense, from New York. Cannon Ivers, Director, LDA Design, and Isabel Castilla, Principal, Field Operations, each gave a brief keynote presentation about the projects in both cities.
Speakers were then joined by Alexis Taylor, Vice President of Climate Resilience, New York City Economic Development Corporation; Madelyn Wils, Interim President, Fifth Avenue Association; and Leif Lomo, Director, KPF, for a panel discussion moderated by Larisa. The conversation emphasized the importance of partnerships and long-term strategies over the course of these high-impact projects. A Q&A session with the audience followed.
The event began at 1:00 pm EST / 6:00 pm GMT and was held at the Center for Architecture in New York and virtually in London. Learn more here.