Jonathan Kirschenfeld, founder of the Institute for Public Architecture and principal at Jonathan Kirschenfield Architect PC, has been selected to receive the inaugural Henry Hobson Richardson Award. The award, presented by the New York State chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), lauded Kirschenfeld for his "contribution to the quality of New York State public architecture."
Kirschenfield specializes in environmentally and socially sustainable urban housing, childcare, recreation, and performance facilities whilst also developing one of a kind socially inclusive architectural installations.
"I have taken great pride in serving typically-forgotten clients and making contributions to the design of the public realm," stated Kirschenfield. "There were times, however, when I was ready to throw in the towel, when my sense of isolation from the profession itself was painfully real and when the idea of creating luxury buildings, with a decent salary, was very appealing." His devotion to public architecture, however, has not gone unnoticed.
Having studied under Peter Eisenman and worked for Aldo Rossi, Kirschenfield has taught at Columbia University’s School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, Pratt Institute, and most recently as a Visiting Professor at the University of Bologna at Cesena. His firm’s large-scale public project, The Floating Pool, was chosen as one of fifteen projects to be exhibited in the American Pavilion at the 2008 Venice Biennale, while he has been twice selected as first-alternate for the Rome Prize.
References: Public Interest Design
