Last week, World Architecture Community reported that the famous American-Chinese cellist Yo-Yo Ma sent an open letter to the New York Review of Books to save Louis I. Kahn's 41-year-old giant floating concert hall from scrap. 

The famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma invited the readers of the magazine and Robert Austin Boudreau and his wife Kathleen (owners of the boat) to join the conversation to find a new home for the Point Counterpoint II and he gave an email through the magazine to discuss alternative places where would be transformed.

Yo-Yo Ma wrote that "at a time when our national conversation is so often focused on division, we can ill afford to condemn to the scrap heap such a vibrant ambassador for our national unity, so I humbly ask that your readers join Robert and me in finding a new home for Point Counterpoint II."

"After five decades, Robert Boudreau (who just turned ninety) and his wife, Kathleen, have decided that they cannot keep running the barge. Despite their best efforts, they have not yet found a new guardian for it," said Yo-Yo Ma.

After Yo-Yo Ma's this urgent call and open push, it seems that Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, New York may be a new home for this giant steel vessel, reports Blair Kamin from Chicago Tribune. Reportedly, some activists and officials will meet on August 4 to discuss the possibilities of transforming the Point Counterpoint II to the Illinois River in Ottawa. However, Steve Noble, the mayor of the Kingston, wants the vessel to be transformed to Hudson Yards in Kingston to create a reason for people to visit Kingston. 

The boat's owners is asking for $2 million for the boat but it still unclear where the funding for this giant boat would come from because the shipping price is not included for the Point Counterpoint II. This price nearly equals to 5 percent of Kingston's annual budget, according to the mayor.

 As a result, the overall project (including shipping) needs raising money, extra funds or gifts that need to be collected from other foundations. Can a kickstarter campaign meet the overall budget of Louis I. Kahn-designed boat? It is uncertain because we didn't see any initiative or hear any discussion regarding meeting the total budget of the project. Let's see, how will it proceed!

Top image Courtesy Sean Benham/Flickr

> via Chicago Tribune