Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Kim Serafin (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Deputy Mayor Fran Reiter and Nicholas Quennell, President of the Art Commission today presented the prestigious Art Commission Awards for Excellence in Design at a ceremony held in City Hall's Public Hearing Chamber. The fifteenth annual event was attended by City agency heads, artists, architects, designers and conservators.
The award recognizes the artists, architects, City agencies and others who have exceeded the City's high standards for quality design in public works of art. The Art Commission of the City of New York was established in 1898, and is the City's design review agency. Each year the Commission reviews hundreds of designs for art, architecture, street furniture, and landscape architecture to be placed on City-owned property.
Mayor Giuliani said, "New York City sets the national standard in every arena, and public design is just one of the areas in which we excel. Congratulations to the award recipients, who have met and exceeded the City's high standards for excellence in design."
Deputy Mayor Reiter said, "I am especially pleased to recognize those in City government who have worked to improve design for public spaces, to make the public parks, plazas, buildings, and streets more attractive, and thus, more livable. These projects exemplify this administration's commitment to quality design as part of improving New Yorkers' quality of life."
Mr. Quennell said, "This administration and the Art Commission believe that good design does not just happen. It results from the public recognition of the importance of design in each project."
The award-winning projects and recipients are:
The Planetarium & North Side Project, American Museum of Natural History and Planetarium Authority, Central Park West at 79th Street, Manhattan; Polshek and Partners Architect, a project of the City of New York - Parks & Recreation, the Department of Design and Construction, and the Department of Cultural Affairs.
The Hollis Avenue Child Care Center, 201-30 Hollis Avenue, Queens; James Harb Architects (Rosenblum/Harb Architects), a joint venture collaboration with Architrope, a Project of the Department of Design and Construction.
The Concourse Village Child Care Center, 800 Concourse Village, Bronx ; Castro-Blanco, Piscioneri and Associates, Architects, P.C. , a Project of the Department of Design and Construction.
Rehabilitation of Four Fire House Stations, Brooklyn and Queens; Richard Dattner Architects P.C., a Project of the Department of Design and Construction.
Special Lighting Design for the Manhattan Bridge Arch, Manhattan; Edwards and Kelcey, Engineers, Inc. in association with Iffland Kavanagh Waterbury, P.C. and Kugler Tillotson Associates, Inc., a Project of the Department of Transportation.
The Ravine and the Binnen Bridge, Prospect Park, Brooklyn; Christian Zimmerman, R.L.A. Ralph F. Carmosino, R.A. Christopher Di Matteo, A.L.A.; a Project of the City of New York - Parks & Recreation and the Prospect Park Alliance.
The Wall Street Esplanade and Ferry Pier Project, East River Esplanade and Pier 11, Manhattan; Hayden-Wegman, Inc. Judith Heintz Landscape Architecture Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects , a Project of the Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Transportation.
"Human Spirit," Granite Sculpture, Foley Square, Manhattan; Lorenzo Pace, Artist. A project of the City of New York Parks & Recreation and the Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program.
Animal Sculptures, Graniteville Playground, Staten Island; Tom Cleveland, Artist and Assistant Landscape Architect, a Project of the City of New York - Parks & Recreation.
"Postcards from Sheepshead Bay," Ceramic Tile Murals and Architectural Ornament, Sheepshead Bay Station, Brighton Line, Brooklyn; DeBorah Goletz, Artist , a Project of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts for Transit and New York City Transit.
Special Recognition Award to Honorable John S. Dyson, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisors, for his work on the Restoration of City Hall.