Heritage Facades at the FTI World Congress

As the summer comes to an end and the Covid-19 pandemic rages worldwide, the Facade Tectonics Institute's virtual 2020 World Congress offered a chance to delve into lively discussions about facade design, materials, technology and heritage conservation. On August 26, 2020, the last day of presentations, AYON Studio Principal co-presented with co-author Uta Pottgiesser, PhD on their ongoing research on Reglazing Modernism. Later on in the afternoon, Mr. Ayón chaired the Heritage Facade session where Tim Brown from Clemson University, Christine Reynolds from WJE and Gerry Land from architectsAlliance presented on a variety of topics that, as Angel said during the introduction, ranged ”from the conceptual to very practical, and from monumental to modest buildings." To learn more about the Facade Tectonics Institute, go to https://www.facadetectonics.org/events/2020wc.

Virtual Talk on Reglazing Modernism with APT NE

On the 19th of March 2020, AYON Studio Principal and co-author Uta Pottgiesser, PhD gave a virtual book talk to the membership of APT_NE, the local chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) in the northeast region. Titled Reglazing Modernism: Intervention Strategies for the Renewal of 20th Century Icons the talk was watched by nearly 100 people. For APT_NE, "it was a huge success" that allowed them to stay engaged with their membership. Mr. Ayón and Dr Pottgiesser's talk was based on their book, Reglazing Modernism ― Intervention Strategies for 20th Century Icons (Birkhäuser, 2019). Watch a recording here. For more about APT_NE, visit them online here.

Podcast on Conservation of Modern Architecture with AYON Studio Principal

© 2020 Columbia University GSAPP. All Rights Reserved.

A new season of Columbia GSAPP Historic Preservation Podcast includes a conversation with AYON Studio Principal on the conservation of Modern exterior glazed enclosures. The exchange between Angel Ayón and Jorge Otero-Pailos, director of the Historic Preservation program at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation was recorded prior to Mr. Ayón's Spring 2019 lecture at the school. It also preceded the release of Reglazing Modernism ― Intervention Strategies for 20th Century Icons (Birkhäuser, 2019), a book co-authored by Angel Ayón. Clear here to listen to the podcast. For more on Reglazing Modernism, click here.

Discussing Preservation in NYC Beyond the Pandemic

On May 7, Pratt's Historic Preservation program and AIA Brooklyn held a virtual panel discussion about the effects of the ongoing public health crisis on the local Historic Preservation community. Titled "Historic Preservation in New York City Beyond the Pandemic" the panel was co-hosted by Pratt faculty members Rebecca Krucoff and Christopher Cirillo. The panelists included Lisa Ackerman from the Columbus Citizen Foundation and Pratt's Historic Preservation program, Molly Garfinkel from City Lore, Zulmilena Then from Preserving East New York (PENY), Simeon Bankoff from the Historic Districts Council and Angel Ayón from AYON Studio and Save Harlem Now! To learn more about Pratt's School of Architecture free online Executive Education series with AIA Brooklyn, click here.

The Cuban Artists Fund Follows Up with AYON Studio's Principal

The Cuban Artists Fund (CAF) is an arts and culture non-profit organization dedicated to raise global awareness and understanding of Cuban cultural achievements. Over the years, they have built an international network of support and partnerships for the Cuban arts community, and have played a leadership role in promoting better understanding among American, Cuban, and Cuban Diaspora artists, art professionals, academics, and communities. In 2004, AYON Studio Principal was the recipient of the coveted CAF Artist Grant, which he used to prepare a website summarizing the history and development of the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park. Sixteen years later, CAF catched  up with Angel Ayón on social media to discuss his whereabouts and the effect of the grant on his personal and professional development. To read the full exchange between Angel Ayón and CAF Executive Director Carlos Pomares, click here.

Discussing 50+ Years of Advocacy at the HDC Preservation Conference

On March 7, 2020 Principal Angel Ayón moderated a plenary session at the Historic Districts Council's 26th Annual Preservation Conference. The speakers included Pratt's Historic Preservation program coordinator Vicki Weiner, Historic Preservation consultant Gregory Dietrich and Real Estate salesperson and dedicated preservationist Christian Emanuel. Focusing on the next 50+ Years of Advocacy, the panelists discussed what future preservation efforts may consists of, including issues of cultural significance and underrepresentation; climate heritage and protection of historic properties along coastal communities; value-based historic preservation perspectives and community-based planning; reconciliation of historic preservation and real estate interests and perspectives; revisions and updates to designation report narratives; and the imperative to focus on salvaging and protecting not only buildings, but also people, small businesses and the communities they create, among other topics. For more about the Historic Districts Council, click here.

Angel Ayón, Gregory Dietrich, Vicki Weiner and Christian Emanuel at the HDC conference. Photo by R. L.

Reglazing Modernism Book Talk at AIA NY

AYON Studio Principal Angel Ayón and Uta Pottgiesser from Delf University of Technology gave a lively book talk on February 27, 2020 at the Center for Architecture in NYC.  Moderated by Kyle Normandin from WJE and sponsored by AIA NY Historic Buildings Committee and Docomomo NY / Tri-State, the presentation and following Q&A highlighted the findings and recommendations included in Reglazing Modernism - Intervention Strategies for 20th Century Icons (Birkhäuser, 2019). For more information on the book, click here.

Kyle Normandin, Uta Pottgiesser and Angel Ayón at the Center for Architecture. © AYON Studio, 2020.

Reglazing Modernism Launched at the TWA Lounge

Reglazing Modernism - Intervention Strategies for 20th Century Icons (Birkhäuser, 2019), a book on conservation of Modern architecture by Principal Angel Ayón, Uta Pottgiesser and Nathaniel Richards was presented at the TWA Lounge in Lower Manhattan. Mimicking the sunken lounge of Saarinen's landmark TWA Flight Center at JFK airport—one of the three local case studies included in the book—the TWA Lounge was an ideal place for the event. A unique mix of friends and family, clients and colleagues, came together on February 13, 2020 to celebrate the release of the book in the US. For more information on the book, click here.

TWA Lounge at One World Trade Center. Photo by AYON Studio.

Docomomo International Reviews Reglazing Modernism

Docomomo International, the leading organization dedicated to the documentation and conservation of buildings and sites from the Modern movement, has published an extensive review of Reglazing Modernism. Authored by AYON Studio Principal Angel Ayón (with Uta Pottgiesser and Nathaniel Richards), Reglazing Modernism - Intervention Strategies for 20th Century Icons (Birkhäuser, 2019) explores twenty international case studies of culturally significant Modern buildings in the US and Europe where the exterior glazed assemblies have been subjected to various types of interventions. Penned by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joseph Tomlow, the Docomomo International review deems Reglazing Modernism "a first class lesson for all who have to decide on Modern Movement heritage and who ask how they get a road map to meet [its] inherited complexities." To read the Docomomo International review, click here. To learn more about the book, click here.

Existing 1976 non thermally-broken replacement aluminum-frame curtain-wall at the Bauhaus Dessau workshop. Photograph by Angel Ayón, 2016.

New Year, New Horizons!

We are super excited to start the New Year facing new horizons! Here is our awesome view of the NYC skyline as seen from our new office on Union Square. We like this location, and our building, and we are lucky to get into a new office space as AYON Studio grows and expands. Happy 2020!

Reglazing Modernism Presented at APT Miami Author's Forum

Last Saturday, November 23, AYON Studio's Principal presented his forthcoming book on Reglazing Modernism at the Association for Preservation Technology annual conference in Miami. Moderated by Kyle Normandin from WJE, the APT Author’s Forum included presentations about new publications by (from left to right) Chandler McCoy from the Getty Conservation Institute, Rosa Lowinger from Rosa Lowinger & Associates, Ilene Tyler from Ann Arbor, MI (formerly with Quinn Evans Architects), Angel Ayón from AYON Studio, Diana Waite from Mount Ida Press, Janet Null from Argus Architecture & Preservation, P.C. and Michael Schuller from Atkinson-Noland & Associates, Inc.

Meet us in Miami

AYON Studio will be in Miami attending the APT conference where Principal Angel Ayón will be presenting his book on Reglazing Modernism at the APT Author’s Forum and chairing a session titled "Miami and Caribbean Case Studies" as part of the "Diversity, Population Change, and Gentrification in the Preservation Dialogue" track. See the full conference schedule here.

The Restored Harlem Fire Watchtower Opens

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver and AYON Studio Principal Angel Ayón at the Fire Watchtower opening.

AYON Studio Principal Angel Ayón celebrated the opening of the restored Mount Morris Fire Watchtower this past weekend with the Harlem community, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver and many colleagues, friends and family. Click here to view the live Tweet of the event by @NYC_Parks. (Forward to 3:25 for an interview with with Angel!)

Harlem Fire Watchtower Reopens this Week

This Saturday, October 26th, join AYON Studio and the Harlem community as we celebrate the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Marcus Garvey Park. Originally designed by Julius Kroehl and constructed in 1857, this cast iron structure is the last surviving tower of its kind in New York City. Since 2000, Principal Angel Ayón has been advising all stakeholders in the fight to save and restore this beloved neighborhood landmark. Read the article in the NY Times here.

Reglazing Modernism Presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Reglazing Modernism - Intervention Strategies for 20th Century Icons (Birkhäuser, 2019) was presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair this week. Co-authored by Angel Ayón with Uta Pottgiesser and Nathaniel Richards, the book explores twenty international case studies of culturally significant Modern buildings in the US and Europe. It takes a close look at the deterioration of the exterior glazed enclosures of 20th century buildings, and outlines intervention strategies—to either restore, rehabilitate, or replace their curtain walls, window walls and ribbon windows. Check it out online here!

Visit Westbeth during Open House NY

On October 19th and 20th, Westbeth Artists Housing, located at 155 Bank Street in the far West Village was open to the public as part of Open House New York Weekend. As the largest artist community in the U.S., if not the world, Westbeth has provided affordable housing and studios for artists and their families since 1970. Its 13 buildings were formerly the site of Bell Laboratories and now offers 384 live-work spaces. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009 and designated a NYC Landmark in 2011.

Click here to learn more.

Columbia University GSAPP lecture: Reglazing Modernism

On Thursday, April 18, Angel Ayón will present Reglazing Modernism: Strategies for Interventions on Steel Frame Glazed Enclosures at Columbia University. Part of GSAPP’s Spring 2019 Historic Preservation Lecture Series, Angel will share his analysis of the approaches followed for interventions on steel frame glazed enclosures in Modern buildings. The event will take place at 6:30 pm in 209 Fayerweather Hall and is free and open to the public. Visit GSAPP’s event page for more info.

Angel Ayón Talks Theater Plasterwork at APT_NE Symposium

Principal Angel Ayón once again addressed APTNE’s membership at its 2019 Annual Meeting. This year’s symposium, titled “Restoring Historic Theaters in the 21st Century,” took place on Friday, February 1, 2019 in Jersey City, NJ. Angel joined his colleagues François Furieri, Marie Ennis and Jay Cardinal to share their expertise in rehabilitating character-defining interior plasterwork as part of their presentation, “The Last Act: Temporary Plaster Removal and Salvage as a Conservation Measure.” He discussed two ongoing projects: Times Square Theater and the former RKO Keith’s lobby in Flushing, Queens. Check out the full program here.

Nitehawk Cinema Opens in Park Slope

The much-anticipated Nitehawk Prospect Park cinema in Park Slope opened to wide acclaim on December 19, 2018. Featured in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Bklyner, and Brownstoner, the former Pavilion Theater (debuted in 1928 as the Sanders Theater), experienced significant deterioration over the years and closed in 2016. AYON Studio advised the Nitehawk on the $15-million rehabilitation this former movie house, to make it watertight and help restore the theater’s most significant original details. We continue to work with the Nitehawk on coordinating the review and approval of additional exterior repairs by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.

LPC approves proposal for the Brooklyn Museum South Facade

At a public hearing this month, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved AYON Studio’s proposal for the partial removal of the existing pre-cast curtain-wall at the rear (south) façade of the Brooklyn Museum, an individually designated Landmarks. The project, which is been developed as part of the renovation of the museum’s Education Department, will include the installation of a new metal-and-glass curtain wall with a historically appropriate exterior finish, as discussed with the LPC Commissioners. Click here to read more about it.