Greg Brown is Program Director for Dallas Center for Architecture, which was founded by AIA Dallas in 2008. It is part of a growing network of organizations devoted to bringing the public more actively into the conversation about the importance of architecture and design to transform the way we live–from sustainability and design excellence to preservation and urban planning.
The second week of Architecture360—AIA Dallas’ and the Dallas Center for Architecture’s version of Architecture Month—kicked off with a lunchtime tour of the Dallas skyline from Klyde Warren Park. A group of almost 30, including a school group from Lewisville, learned a bit about Dallas’ iconic architecture—from Old Red Courthouse to the just-opened Perot Museum of Nature & Science. If you missed it, there are additional opportunities to take the tour all month: Mondays at 12:30 p.m., Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. Meet in the park’s Games and Reading Room.
There’s tons more going on the rest of the week. Jump for a couple highlights:
You’re familiar with the classic childhood story, The Elves and the Shoemaker? Tonight, after everyone else has gone to bed, an architecture version of that story will spring to life at NorthPark Center as dozens of architects descend after-hours to install the 23rd annual Retrospect exhibit. Their work will be done by daylight, just in time for NorthPark’s first visitors Thursday morning. In total, Retrospect will include 19 three-dimensional displays created by Dallas-area architects that allow a glimpse of current trends in architecture not only in Dallas, but internationally. Located in the concourse connecting Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, admission is free. The exhibit runs through April 21.
Also on Thursday, we will celebrate the more “organic” architecture and design projects happening in Dallas. Come visit an example of “pop-up urbanism” at a parklet that is making appearances throughout downtown Dallas. This movable modular platform transforms concrete in to a place ready for lunch or relaxation. Created by bcWORKSHOP, it will be at Main Street and Ervay starting Thursday and then continue its journey throughout the month. Visit the parklet’s calendar site for exact locations.
On Friday, visit the Perot Museum and their Building the Building exhibition to get a behind-the-scenes look at how this building by Pritzker Prize laureate Thom Mayne was designed and constructed. You’ll need to purchase a general admission ticket, but won’t want to miss the chance to learn more about this newest icon on the Dallas skyline. More info here.
The “big event” for the week is Saturday. Main Street Garden will be filled with architecture aficionados looking for the opportunity to get into the buildings around the park for a VIP look. This great timeline of Dallas architecture includes the old Titche-Goettinger Building, the Statler Hilton and the Municipal Building, Dallas’ former City Hall. From 11-3, there will be periodic tours in the park with special timed tours of the interiors of those three buildings. Food and drink will be available for purchase and there will be live entertainment. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the cell where Lee Harvey Oswald was held in1963…as well as some of the best historic architecture Dallas has to offer. Go here for details.
