What is Green Architecture? STEFAN BEHNISCH December 4, 2008

NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 5)— The Goethe-Institut New York, a branch of the Federal Republic of Germany’s global cultural institution, is pleased to announce the next edition of “What is Green Architecture?”, featuring Stefan Behnisch in conversation with Andres Lepik on Thursday, December 4, at 7pm, at The Architectural League of New York (457 Madison Avenue; www.archleague.org). This season, we’ve explored promising cities with zero-emissions pioneer Steffen Lehmann and the spectacular concepts that exist beyond “just a building” with avant-garde instigator Friedrich von Borries. For our final talk of the year, we’ll consider the campus of the future with Stefan Behnisch, who’s currently showing them how it’s done at Harvard, where’s he designing the university’s high-profile new Allston science complex.

In a recent interview with The Harvard Gazette, Behnisch discussed the sustainable aspects of the project as they relate to the university’s existing historic campus, noting, “What we have to do is look at this as a future campus, and the perspective we should take is over the next 25 years. Within the next 25 years our energy prices could quadruple, so we have to look at how we can make the science complex so efficient that the University can actually afford these buildings decades from now. We should also look at the master plan, at mixed use - the way that people will live, work, and study, [ways to] cut down on traffic, travel time, and energy used to commute. If you build a totally new campus, it is important to start building that campus with the first building. The sustainable Allston campus should be a showcase of what's possible, reasonable, and doable. My approach to sustainability is pragmatic. It should be affordable and add qualities... To build a sustainable campus is a great opportunity and a huge responsibility. After all, it is the University that sets the tone in research, in economy, in so many disciplines. The University should also set the tone in sustainability and architectural quality.”

Stefan Behnisch, who founded his architectural firm, Behnisch Architekten (http://www.behnisch.com) in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1989, specializes in public buildings, sports facilities, office and bank buildings, schools, and museums. He doesn’t consider himself a “Green Architect,” because for Behnisch, architecture and environmental responsibility are eternally meshed. “We can’t build these dinosaurs anymore,“ says architect Stefan Behnisch of the outdated structures that many designers and clients insist on building. Behnisch has brought creative environmental thinking to extraordinary architecture in Europe and North America.

“What is Green Architecture?” series curator and moderator Dr. Andres Lepik studied Art History and German Literature at universities in Augsburg and Munich, earning his Ph.D. in Rome. He has curated noted architecture exhibitions, including solo shows highlighting the work of Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas and Oswald Mathias Ungers at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, and the German venue for The Museum of Modern Art’s Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Die Berliner Jahre 1907-1938 at Altes Museum. He is currently Curator in the Architecture & Design Department of The Museum of Modern Art, where he recently worked on the Young Architects Program at P.S.1 and curated the new installation of the permanent architecture collection Dreamland: Architectural Experiments since the 1970s.

"‘What is Green Architecture?’ is a real question,” notes Dr. Stephan Wackwitz, Program Director of the Goethe-Institut New York. “German and international architects, designers and artists have much to say about the practical task of creating a sustainable future.” Adds Andres Lepik, Curator in the Architecture & Design Department of The Museum of Modern Art, “This conversation is more timely than ever. Mayor Bloomberg’s plan for a ‘Green New York’ in 2030 (www.nyc.gov/2030) is a perfect local example. While green design is still emerging in the U.S., ecological practices have been of vital concern in Germany since the first oil crisis in 1972.”

This event is presented with the generous support of The Architectural League of New York.

The Goethe-Institut New York is a branch of the Federal Republic of Germany's global cultural institute, established to promote the study of German language and culture abroad, encourage international cultural exchange, and provide information on Germany's culture, society, and politics. The Goethe-Institut worldwide is committed to the discussion and popularization of sustainable ecology and green values. Ludlow 38, created in collaboration between the Goethe-Institut New York and Kunstverein München, is a new art space on the Lower East Side. For details on upcoming events and to join the mailing list, please visit: www.goethe.de/newyork.

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Official Website: http://www.goethe.de/newyork