Architecture columns from respected writers such as the great, late Joel Solkoff in the USA for e-architect – architectural thinking, articles about current building issues and built environment challenges.
Joel Solkoff (1947 – 2022)
Sadly he passed away on May 3, 2022 in his local Williamsport hospital, Pennsylvania, USA. He was passionate about architecture, especially disability rights and affordable housing.
He was a thinker, and for sure we need more of those in this world. He was born in New York City. He received his B.A. from Columbia University and was a graduate student from Penn State’s Rehabilitation Counseling program.
He started writing for us with a series of columns on Renzo Piano’s Morgan Museum and Library in New York City. He praised this Manhattan building for its good access.
United States Architecture, Brasilia Buildings, New Cities and Communities in the USA Joel Solkoff’s Column Volume II, No. 5 Architectural Column by Joel Solkoff, PA, USA Joel’s Column Vol. II, Number 5 Building cities in the United States—special Wyoming focus. Plus… Profile of the President of the Wyoming American Institute of Architects Building a new … Read more
What Herzog & de Meuron’s completion of the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) means to the revitalization of Downtown Miami.
The government of Miami approved a revitalization plan—a plan that includes the taxpayers of Miami paying costs to the Herzog & de Meuron’s firm. Miami taxpayers paid $100 million toward the cost of the museum.
Worthy of asking but not of discussion here: Are taxpayers getting what they paid for?
Where will I live? Plus…Writing on architects plus their role in the imminent global Baby Boom housing crisis, I have purchased two houses in my lifetime. The first was on Capitol Hill, in Downtown, Washington, D.C. which had a landmark plaque posted on the entrance. It was a beautiful house 100 years old where my former wife and I raised two children.
Zaha Hadid’s Miami compared to my life in rural “Rust Belt” Pennsylvania. “Miami has long been the economic and commercial capital of Latin America, both English and Spanish are commonly understood and it has been the place where many Latinos could be sure their money and their persons were safe from government takeover.”
–The Almanac of American Politics by Michael Barone and Chuck McCutcheon
If I were an architect eager to launch my career in the U.S., I would focus on three states: Texas, California, and Florida. Despite the incredibly exciting renewal taking place in New York City, the reality is that the wealth and power in the United States has shifted
Frank Gehry and my New York. “What is the most important piece of architecture built since 1980? Vanity Fair’s survey of 52 experts, including 11 Pritzker Prize winners, has provided a clear answer: “Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.”
This article covers a few buildings by Frank Gehry, but also Renzo Piano’s Menil Collection buildings in Texas including the Cy Twombly Gallery.
Joel Solkoff – on disability issues relevant to architects. Daniel Libeskind, master architect to rebuild Ground Zero, watched the original World Trade Center being built in the 1960s. Libeskind’s father worked in the neighborhood.
Joel Solkoff – on disability issues relevant to architects
The new Renzo Piano Whitney overlooking the Hudson River, adjacent to a really fun public park, has brought to near completion, another magnificent new Piano. Within the Gallery is the original photograph Edward Steichen took of Marlene Dietrich in 1931. The Whitney will soon be launching a new Exhibition of Steichen’s work.
On disability issues relevant to architects. ‘Renzo Piano Owns New York’. When Renzo Piano’s fourth architectural project in New York City is completed, he will have surrounded the Island of Manhattan dominating neighborhoods on the North, South, West and East sides. The project on the north is Columbia University’s Manhattanville expansion. For an alumnus of Columbia College Class of 1969, the Piano project is literally a mind blower.