Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to check out our favorite architectural articles of the month! Join us as we delve into the best of what we’ve read in January.
1) After 50 Years of Waiting, East Side Access Project is Finally Completed
Take a step inside the result of the $11.1 billion East Side Access project, which has finally been completed. The new Grand Central Madison station, which sits 150 feet below the existing Grand Central Terminal, provides a long-awaited alternative for Long Island-based commuters, who until now were relegated to arrive at Penn Station. The long awaited stop is quite beautiful if you can look past a spelling gaffe.
2) Turning Unused Offices into Homes: NYC's Ambitious Plan
New York City is embarking on an exciting journey to transform the city’s underutilized office spaces into desirable homes! With a new study and 11 actionable recommendations from the newly formed Adaptive Reuse Task Force, Mayor Eric Adams is targeting a total of 136 million square feet of office space for conversions. This effort could lead to a more lively, resilient, and affordable city.
3) The New LaGuardia Airport Terminal
The new Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport in New York has received a welcome renovation, replacing the old “hellscape” with a more standard airport experience. The food court and bathrooms are described as average and uninspiring, but the real story is about how the renovation came about. In 2014, Vice President Joe Biden made a joke about LaGuardia being like a “Third World country,” which prompted action from the New York Governor to leverage momentum and start the renovation project. The final design comes from a whitewashed merger of three different schemes, all of which had promise. In the end travelers will be happy for the small upgrade, but sadly a big opportunity was missed.
If you enjoy architectural infrastructure stories like this, take a look at our previously highlighted article on Penn Station’s Latest Development Plan.
4) Shaping the Built Environment: Materials to Watch in 2023
The architectural community is taking a stand against the climate crisis and finding innovative, sustainable materials to shape the built environment. Take a look at these 7 materials that are poised to take over the architectural lexicon in 2023 and don’t just build any old structure, build one that’s bio-based and boss!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our favorite architectural articles this month. If you’re interested in more, take a look at our favorite architectural articles from previous months.
