New York City Public Design Commision is founded by the New York City Charter in 1898. The historical commision has always been an advocate for excellence and innovation in the public realm. They have been organizing the Awards for Excellence since 1983 to recognize outstanding public projects. This year, 36th award ceremony held in New York City Hall and eleven projects were honored with an award for their remarkable designs. 

Winning designs are selected among hundreds of submissions. They aim to boost civic pride and public service while brightening up the neighborhoods of New York with innovative designs. “These eleven winning schools, parks, libraries, museums, and artworks aren’t only beautiful – they enrich their communities by bringing revitalizing existing spaces and creating vibrant new ones,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. 

The Award Winning Projects:

Garrison Playground

A project of the Department of Parks & Recreation

Designed by Department of Parks & Recreation In-House Design

"As part of the Community Parks Initiative, the reconstruction of this park will benefit the previously underserved neighborhood of Mott Haven, creating a vibrant community space for a variety of users and age groups. With a permeable perimeter and  a diverse range of amenities,  the  park is designed to become a nexus  of community engagement and recreation."

The Studio Museum in Harlem 
A project of the Department of Cultural Affairs and The Studio Museum in Harlem
Designed by Adjaye AssociatesCooper Robertson

"The design draws Harlem into the museum with a porous and inviting street level frontage and a central grand stair that provides multiple lookout points from landings and suffuses the gallery spaces with natural light. The  Studio  Museum’s new home will establish a distinguished architectural presence that celebrates the legacy of  this critical cultural resource and will support and sustain the organization’s programming into the future."

New York State Pavilion Observation Towers and Tent of Tomorrow
A project of the Department of Parks & Recreation
Designed by Silman, Jan Hird Pokorny Associates, and L'Observatoire International

"The rehabilitation of the 1964 World’s Fair New York State Pavilion will provide stabilization, restored lighting, and maintenance access that will lay the foundation for future preservation and potential adaptive reuse of these iconic structures."

Reflecting Pool
A project of the Department of Parks & Recreation
Designed by Quennell Rothschild & Partners

"The reconstruction of the Reflecting Pool is the first phase of a larger project to adaptively repurpose a series of fountains from the 1964 World’s Fair. The design references the original use of the space as a water feature yet transforms the site into an enjoyable and sustainable focal point in the park."

Convergence by Shawn Smith
A project of the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program, the Department of Design and Construction, and the New York Public Library
Designed by Shawn Smith and Snøhetta

"Inspired by the New York Public Library’s collection of 19th- and early 20th-century illustrations, artist Shawn Smith chose 20 local songbirds for his artwork in the new Westchester Square Branch Library.100 sculptures will be constructed from individually painted pieces of basswood, the birds will converge at the children’s “story time” area. From outside,  the birds will be seen through the fritted glass of the building, which was designed by the architects as an abstraction of a tree canopy."

Brownsville Recreation Center
A project of the Department of Parks & Recreation
Designed by 1100 Architect, and MNLA

"The rehabilitation of the Brownsville Recreation Center will transform an outdated 1950s structure into a vital neighborhood resource with renovated fitness areas, a pool, and multi-purpose classrooms. The revitalized center will provide the Brownsville community with enhanced programming and recreation for years to come."

Aship, Aground, Anew by Saul Becker
A project of the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program and the Department of Design and Construction  
Designed by Saul Becker and Studio Joseph

 "Saul Becker’s painting for the new Snug Harbor Cultural Center Music Hall depicts an 18th-century sailing ship run aground and transformed by nature with mature trees growing out of its hull. From outside, the fritted gradient on the building’s large windows provides the mural with an otherworldly appearance. The artwork is an apt representation of a Staten Island community founded in a maritime tradition that is finding new ground and fostering growth."

Verizon Executive Education Center and Graduate Hotel
A project of the Economic Development Corporation          
Designed by Snøhetta and James Corner Field Operations

"As the northwest gateway to the Cornell Tech Campus, the education center and hotel will become an active and dynamic campus hub. The two buildings share a transparent podium that will house a mix of public and academic spaces, enlivening the exterior courtyard and campus and welcoming a diverse range of visitors from New York City and abroad."

Concert Grove Pavilion
A project of the Department of Parks & Recreation and the Prospect Park Alliance
Designed by Prospect Park Alliance In-House Design

"Designed by Calvert Vaux in 1874, the Concert Grove Pavilion is an open-air shelter comprising eight cast-iron columns supporting a decorative metal and wood roof with a stained-glass skylight. The restoration of the pavilion will repair water damage, reconstruct missing elements, and repaint the structure based on historic images, bringing new life to this charming historic gathering space."

Hamilton Fish Park Branch Library
A project of the Department of Design and Construction and the New York Public Library
Designed by Rice + Lipka Architects, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects & Planners

"The renovation of this 1959 library will restore and renew a modernist structure with energy-efficient systems and resilient materials. The goal is transforming this civic structure into a light-filled, accessible and active facility that is visually connected to the community it serves."

Prototypical Kiosks for Citywide Plazas
A project of the Department of Transportation
Designed by Billings Jackson Design

"The prototypical plaza kiosks will provide a cost-effective source of revenue for the continued maintenance of city plazas. The versatile design is aesthetically harmonious with the city’s street furnishings and will activate public spaces with amenities and lighting."

Top Image: Reflecting Pool Project

All quotes and images are courtesy of the NYC Mayor’s Office and New York City Public Design Commision

> via New York City Public Design Commision