OHNY 2011

October 15-16 is the weekend of Open House New York (OHNY). This year I'm actually participating in the festivities with a walking tour in the Madison Square Park/Union Square Park area, focusing on contemporary buildings. I'd love to be announcing it now so readers could grab a ticket, but the tour is already sold out. Such is the popularity of OHNY that tours sell out even before the guide hits the newsstands.

Nevertheless, here are some of the highlights that don't require reservations or tickets, in alphabetical order. Check the links for days/times and locations. The ones marked with an asterisk offer access not normally available or a waiving of the normal entry fee.

» 505 Fifth Avenue by KPF and James Turrell (lobby)
» Austrian Cultural Forum NY by Raimund Abraham*
» "Automated Vacuum Collection System" (AVAC) System on Roosevelt Island*
» Battery Park City Public Library by 1100: Architect; in the same building is Poets House by Louise Braverman
» BMW Guggenheim Lab by Atelier Bow-Wow
» Bronx Museum of the Arts by Arquitectonica (addition)*
» Center for Architecture (OHNY Welcome Center) by Andrew Berman Architect; see also AIANY's Archtober
» Chrysler Building Lobby by William Van Alen*
» Docomomo US Modern Architecture Scavenger Hunt
» Duane St Live/ Work Loft by Marpillero Pollak Architects*
» Eagle Street Rooftop Farm
» East Harlem School by Peter Gluck and Partners*
» Ford Foundation by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo
» Holly Whyte Way Arcade Parade
» Hôtel Americano by TEN Arquitectos*
» Japan Society by Junzo Yoshimura*
» Kips Bay Towers by I.M. Pei & Associates*
» Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts/Public Spaces, hourly tours by architects
» New School: Sheila C. Johnson Design Center by Lyn Rice Architects*
» NYC Information Center by WXY Architecture + Urban Design; see also nearby Times Square Visitor Center by WXY
» Nitehawk Cinema by Caliper Studio*
» Noguchi Museum by Isamu Noguchi, addition/renovation by Sage & Coombe Architects*
» Nolitan Hotel by Grzywinski+Pons*
» George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal by Pier Luigi Nervi
» Pratt Institute: Myrtle Hall by WASA/Studio A*
» Queens Theatre in the Park, addition by Caples Jefferson Architects*
» SculptureCenter by Maya Lin with David Hotson*
» Sperone Westwater by Foster + Partners
» Storefront for Art and Architecture by Steven Holl and Vito Acconci
» Tenri Cultural Institute of New York by Marble Fairbanks
» Tenrikyo Mission New York Center by Marble Fairbanks
» Van Alen Institute
» Visitor Center and Nature Walk at Newtown Creek by Ennead Architects and George Trakas (nature walk)