Green is the New Black October 6, 2008

NEW YORK (September 22)— The Goethe-Institut New York, a branch of the Federal Republic of Germanyʼs global cultural institution, is pleased to announce the fall line-up for “What is Green Architecture?”. This season, we explore promising cities with zero-emissions pioneer Steffen Lehmann, the spectacular concepts that exist beyond “just a building” with avant-garde instigator Friedrich von Borries, and the campus of the future with Stefan Behnisch, who’s showing them how it’s done at Harvard. We’ll also discuss what radical solutions each of these innovators envisions to confront the unique challenges facing New York, considered one of the greenest cities in America for its density but not for its perpetual gridlock.

On Monday, October 6th, at 7pm, at Galapagos Art Space (now located at 16 Main Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn; www.galapagosartspace.com) in conversation with Andres Lepik, Steffen Lehmann (www.slab.com.au) will discuss how “Green is the New Black” in terms of emerging urban design principles and strategies for energy-efficient cities beyond the individual building. He will also speak about Australia's first zero-emission urban development, Taree Waterfront Masterplan. This pairing of event and venue is truly extraordinary because Galapagos Art Space has created New York City’s first LEED certified “green” cultural venue! Admission is free. Please see below for more information about the speakers.

On Tuesday, October 14th, at 7pm, at the Architectural League of New York (457 Madison Avenue; www.archleague.org), in conversation with Andres Lepik, Friedrich von Borries (www.raumtaktik.de) will discuss his perspective as general commissioner for the German contribution to the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale, and co-director of raumtaktik, the “agency for spatial investigation and intervention” in Berlin. Admission is free, and reservations are required ([email protected]).

On Thursday, December 4th, at 7pm, Stefan Behnisch appears as part of “What is Green Architecture?” at The Architectural League of New York (details forthcoming).

Steffen Lehmann, PhD, holds the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific, the professorial Chair in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle (NSW, Australia), and is founding director of the s_Lab Space Laboratory for Architectural Research and Design (Sydney-Berlin). He is editor of the US-published Journal of Green Building, and his book, The Principles of Green Urbanism is forthcoming (Routledge, London, 2009). After graduating from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London (1989) he worked with James Stirling in London and with Arata Isozaki in Tokyo. Prior to his current position in Australia, he ran his own ideas-driven practice in Berlin, where he designed numerous award-winning buildings and was instrumental in the urban re-development of Berlin’s city centre in the 1990s.

Friedrich von Borries studied architecture at the University of the Arts Berlin, the ISA St. Luc in Bruxelles, and the Technical University Karlsruhe, where he received his PhD in 2004. He is a member of the Young Academy at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. He is also the general commissioner for the German contribution to the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale, and in partnership with Matthias Böttger, runs raumtaktik, the “agency for spatial investigation and intervention” in Berlin.

“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 Artʼs 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?ʼ 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 Bloombergʼs plan for a ʻGreen New Yorkʼ 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.”

These events are presented with the generous support of Galapagos Art Space and 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.galapagosartspace.com