The Center for Architecture in New York City is currently presenting a collection of "superior public building projects" via a wide-ranging exhibition created in collaboration with the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) that seeks to celebrate some of the city's most arresting public architecture. 

Public Works: Reflecting on 15 Years of Project Excellence for New York City, offers a refreshing take on contemporary design in New York City that subtly challenges the city's reputation as a place dominated by market-oriented development. Highlighting a collection of projects developed over the last decade and a half by firms large and small, Public Works seeks to show off building projects created for public use that "enhance communities while contributing to a thriving, healthy, sustainable and resilient City," according to a press release announcing the exhibition.

The exhibition includes projects designed by WXY Architecture + Urban Design, Dattner Architects, BKSK Architects, Ennead Architects, Grimshaw, Ammann & Whitney Architects, Andrew Berman Architect, Caples Jefferson Architects, nARCHITECTS, Sage and Coombe Architects, Marpillero Pollak Architects, WORKac, Snøhetta, Stephen Yablon Architecture, Rice+Lipka Architects, Studio Gang, Gray Organschi Architecture, Studio Joseph, LEVENBETTS, and Bjarke Ingels Group.

That includes WXY and Dattner's iconic Manhattan Districts 1//2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed, as well as Marpillero Pollak Architects' Elmhurst Library in Queens, Studio Gang's Rescue Company 2 fire station in Brooklyn, and BIG's 40th Precinct police station in The Bronx, and Gray Organschi Architecture's Joseph A. Verdino Field of Dreams baseball diamond on Staten Island. 

In a press release, DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo states, “For 15 years, DDC has teamed up not just with some of the country’s most well-known architecture firms, but also many small, emerging firms that are pushing the boundaries of civic design. The results of this effort can be seen in every borough [via projects] which make communities more vital while managing the critical issues of growth and environmental sustainability.”

To which AIANY and Center for Architecture Executive Director Benjamin Prosky added, "I hope that visitors to the exhibition will better understand the great impact that well-designed public projects have on our city and our collective well-being. I look forward to seeing how the program will continue to work with architects and other design professionals to create much-needed quality- and life-enhancing public projects as our city continues to grow and serve its diverse communities and their interests.”

The exhibition is on view through April 4, 2020.