Archinect - News

Meet NYC's Design Trust for Public Space: Your Next Employer?

2022-09-26T14:30:00-04:00

Following last week’s visit to precision craftspeople XTEN, we are moving our Meet Your Next Employer series back to New York City this week, where we meet the Design Trust for Public Space.

Founded in 1995 to champion and unlock the potential of New York City’s public and shared spaces, the group collaborates with architects, urbanists, city officials, and the general public on a variety of projects related to public space.

Archinect readers may already be familiar with the Design Trust. In May, the organization partnered with former Meet Your Next Employer subjects SITU on an architectural kit-of-parts for public cultural venues in New York City. The Design Trust has also previously sought architectural input on their “Public for All: Rethinking Shared Space in NYC” initiative.

From their base in Tribeca, the Design Trust is currently hiring for several positions over on Archinect Jobs. For candidates interested in applying for a position, or anybody interested in learning more ...

New arts initiative by SITU and Design Trust for Public Space builds architectural kit-of-parts for public cultural venues

2022-05-26T16:12:00-04:00

Brooklyn-based architectural design practice SITU and the Design Trust for Public Space have announced the launch of Turnout NYC, a community-oriented initiative that aims to transform underutilized spaces into vibrant and accessible venues for arts and culture, while highlighting underrepresented New York City-based artists.

The venture, supported by a $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, sets out to assist small arts organizations produce public programming despite the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. It will establish flexible and semi-permanent outdoor performance venues, one in each borough, in collaboration with cultural partners within each community. Set to launch this summer, Turnout NYC will host 150-200 events, featuring up to 1,500 artists throughout the season.

“Prior to the pandemic, people living in vulnerable areas already had limited access to cultural opportunities. Today, those scarce opportunities are at a higher risk of disappearing,” said Design Trust f...

Design Trust seeking proposals for “Public for All: Rethinking Shared Space in NYC” initiative

2017-05-01T16:19:00-04:00

“In today’s political climate, we must affirm and ensure that New York City’s public realm provides places of refuge and play, congregation and demonstration, and dialogue and exchange.”

In their latest community-driven effort, the non-profit Design Trust for Public Space recently launched “Public for All: Rethinking Shared Space in NYC”. The citywide call invites design firms, communities, agencies, and individuals based in any of New York City's five boroughs to send project ideas for planning and designing public spaces that are more accessible, resourceful, and can be sustainably maintained and operated.

Here are more details from the Design Trust:

The Brooklyn Bridge. Photo: Liz Ligon. Courtesy of the Design Trust for Public Space.

Proposals must be research, design, and planning projects that will unlock the potential of NYC’s shared spaces, including underutilized and under-resourced community assets. Projects may be site-specific but must potentially change the way NYC develops and manages public space citywide.

Although Design Trust efforts may eventually lead to built work, projects should demonstrate broad policy or programming goals, with potential for ...