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Pleased Friday and glad lengthy weekend! Whether or not you’re staying put or heading out of city, listed here are a number of architecture- and urbanism-related tales so that you can peruse when you do you. From a proposal by Jay-Z to deliver a Caesars Palace to Instances Sq. to the newest on the seek for a brand new Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to some not-so-bright road lights in Los Angeles, relax, learn up, and luxuriate in!
Jay-Z touts a Instances Sq. Caesars Palace
Jay-Z has thrown his identify within the hat of traders vowing to construct a on line casino in New York Metropolis. In an open letter launched by way of his company Roc Nation, the artist strongly supported opening a Caesars Place in Instances Sq.. His assertion laid the muse that “the successful group will need to have a monitor file of turning phrases into deeds—of placing New York Metropolis and its residents first.” The assertion continues in saying that Roc Nation is dedicated to retaining Instances Sq. “related to all sides of tradition.”
The message helps a Instances Sq. on line casino claiming its means to learn New Yorkers, native companies, “make investments[ment] into sanitation and safety,” and the event of a transit plan. The proposal additionally commits $115 million for “numerous theater applications that embrace daycare for Broadway staff and their households.” Jay-Z and Caesars are up towards different potential casino-owners together with Mets proprietor Steve Cohen, who needs to construct one in Willets Level, actual property magnate Stefan Soloviev, and Hudson Yards developer Stephen Ross.
The seek for a brand new Architect of the Capitol is underway
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is serving to a Congressionally subcontracted govt search agency discover the subsequent Architect of the Capitol (AOC). The AOC, who’s “answerable for the upkeep, operation, growth, and preservation of the USA Capitol Advanced,” serves a 10-year-long presidentially-appointed time period. The present appearing AOC is Chere Rexroat, who assumed the place beneath President Biden after the previous AOC, Trump-appointed J. Brett Blanton, was fired for his actions in the course of the January 6 riot and allegations that he impersonated a police officer. Final month, Rexroat cleaned home, firing a swath of the workplace’s management.
The AIA is working with govt search consultancy Reffett Associates, who’s main the choice, and congressional workplaces, alongside promoting the place to its personal members. AIA CEO Lakisha Ann Woods stated: “We’re proud to have an lively advisory function within the collection of an skilled licensed architect for this vital place. Our objective is to assist discover the very best candidate who possesses the abilities and attributes to efficiently execute this prestigious function.”
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LA DOT’s shade and lightweight construction prototype underwhelms
Final week, the Los Angeles Division of Transportation (LADOT) held a press convention to unveil a brand new shade construction for bus stops, la sombrita. The venture, designed with the native Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), incorporates a curving piece of perforated steel connected to a road signal publish, with a light-weight on the high. Designers performed fieldwork in Quito, London, and Hamburg, taking design inspiration for the construction that might shade throughout daylight hours, and supply a safer feeling at evening with solar-powered synthetic lighting, which was framed as a response to gendered security considerations. The design initiative got here out of a 2021 LADOT research on how town may enhance public transit experiences for girls.
We noticed loads of dialogue about our “La Sombrita” pilot: the brand new shade and lighting construction design we’ve debuted at 4 bus stops. Right here’s how a small construction could make an enormous distinction for riders who rely on public transit. https://t.co/e7zgbKcFdP
— LADOT (@LADOTofficial) May 19, 2023
The venture instantly took flak for what critics alleged weren’t gender-specific options, with some noting that Metro Los Angeles had beforehand teased plans for a extra complete shading construction. Whereas the constructions are small, resulting in questions of whether or not this would offer extra shade to multiple individual, a Univision report additionally confirmed how little mild the construction offers at evening. Whereas defenders of the design have famous that it’s a prototype, and might be put in rapidly, this comes amid a bigger dialog round lapsed guarantees to enhance bus shelters, and bigger systemic failures of town’s bus system.
WMATA unveils new metro automotive designs
The Washington Metropolitan Space Transit Authority (WMATA) launched designs for its new 8000 collection automobiles, which will probably be in service over the subsequent few years within the Washington D.C. space. The operationally-deficient system, which has actually been on fire (although has seen enhancements), and opened a significant extension final yr, is shifting ahead with deliberate upgrades. Transit riders will be capable of go to a popup at Gallery Place – Chinatown Station, to supply suggestions on design proposals and options.
WMATA is touting a surveilled system, which may also embrace open gangways (which New York can also be experimenting with although is commonplace in lots of cities worldwide), charging ports, designated areas for riders in wheelchairs, and higher announcement programs. Within the design for the 8000 collection, seating will probably be rearranged, foregoing the Metro’s basic rows for a extra open plan, which may also accommodate labeled area for bikes and baggage. The digital show screens, that are already among the many greatest within the nation for a metro system, will probably be positioned in easier-to-spot areas, and be put in extra continuously inside automobiles. WMATA is ordering 256 8000 collection automobiles to begin, and has a contract with Italian-headquartered Hitachi Rail to order 800 in whole for a value of $2.2 billion.
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