2024-05-17T07:01:31-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/116669096/the-year-2014-in-architectural-activism Alexander Walter 2014-12-29T10:00:00-05:00 >2022-03-14T10:01:08-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/cf/cfhkrk9lss8c2bp1.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>Let's admit it, we architects much too often get lost in narcissistic own-horn-tooting, passionate ego-inflating, disillusioned navel-gazing, vile shit-flinging or simply in the mundane day-to-day operations for the paying clientele.&nbsp;</p><p>But all is not completely lost thanks to the tireless work and burning passion of individuals and groups around the world seeking the greater good, putting humanity first, improving this planet one initiative at a time.&nbsp;</p><p>Topics we had the honor of reporting about on Archinect &amp; Bustler this year ranged from the Israel-Gaza conflict, Syrian refugee crisis, Ukrainian revolution, climate change, historic preservation, #folkmoma, abortion clinics and affordable housing all the way to still very recent issues like the Ebola epidemic and Ferguson protests.</p><p>Following is my personal (and hopelessly incomplete) list of noteworthy and much-discussed examples of architectural activism on Archinect &amp; Bustler in 2014:</p><p><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/106870325/exhibition-explores-the-design-of-protest-movements" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>Exhibition Explores the Design of Protest Movements...</strong></a></p> https://archinect.com/news/article/72945230/moma-pulls-back-from-original-plan-to-destroy-award-winning-american-folk-art-museum-building folkMoMA 2013-05-11T22:08:00-04:00 >2013-05-11T22:08:17-04:00 <em><p>Thursday, MoMA director Glenn D. Lowry sent a memo to MoMA's trustees and staff announcing the museum had retained Diller Scofidio + Renfro to "work with us to design a plan that will integrate the Museum's current building with the property of the American Folk Art Museum. . . . We readily agreed to consider a range of options, and look forward to seeing their results."</p></em><br /><br /><p> Thursday, MoMA director Glenn D. Lowry sent a memo to MoMA's trustees and staff announcing the museum had retained Diller Scofidio + Renfro to "work with us to design a plan that will integrate the Museum's current building with the property of the American Folk Art Museum. . . . We readily agreed to consider a range of options, and look forward to seeing their results."</p> <p> A statement from Diller Scofidio + Renfro said the design firm would explore all possibilities, "which include, but are not limited to, integrating the former American Folk Art Museum building, designed by our friends and admired colleagues, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien."</p> <p> "My sense is they will try to save at least some of it. I can't imagine good designers destroying a great building for no good reason," said Quilian Riano, acting professor of design at Parsons The New School.</p> <p> Riano helped lead a digital battle to offer MoMA "alternative visions" to destroying the 12-year-old building that swept world arch...</p>