Preservation of the Farley Post Office - Columbia University ...

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34 transition exhibition space Private sector development transition Train Hall USPS Lobby exhibition space transition Left: Diagram of spacial use. Image: Carlos Huber Right: Madison Square Garden signage. Image: Daniel Fox can co-exist. Unless there is a clear and definite transition between private arena space and public train hall space, travelers will encounter a train station hidden within a sports arena or semi-public mall. Transitional spaces between each venue are the key to properly managing the problem of flow. This may mean distinct entrances or neutral, undifferentiated sorting spaces to communicate discreet uses. Signage is a means of aiding circulation, but the signage must be designed in a manner that is appropriate for a historic building and cannot damage historic fabric. To be clear, signs are not enough to designate public and private space, and thus the character of the architecture should define these spaces. Signage If MSG relocates into the western extension of Farley, it will require colossal amounts of informative signs and advertising. After reviewing the history of MSG’s signage practices at its current location, it is clear that Farley’s entire interior and exterior will be vulnerable to inhospitable signage. MSG has proven that it has no qualms when it comes to advertising: earlier this year, it had a particularly obscene six-story vinyl banner for the movie “Norbit” stretched across the arena. Its marquee on Seventh Avenue is a similar detractor -- outsized and obtrusive. While this approaches the gray area of taste, this mode of signage is out of step with the old and dignified Farley building. Moreover, signage can physically damage the historic fabric, the character, and unity of the Farley Complex. Thus, great care should be exercised in the design of new signage. It needs to be dignified, separate from the Farley Complex, unobtrusive, and reversible. In a following section, we offer non-traditional signage alternatives that we believe to be both affective information tools and sensitive additions to the Farley Post Office. Reacting to the Developers Proposals We found that previous proposals for the Farley Complex did not devise thorough programs that considered a respectful and realistic use for the entire structure. The MSG plan to move into the Farley Annex is the most popular one to date, although it is far from official, thorough, or the best possible use. The developers and MSG have not provided detailed plans and models for the public, and the ones we were allowed to see seem rather rushed or leave out essential details. In light of questions about the feasibility of successfully locating MSG in the space, alternate uses for the space should be explored.
Left: Model of Moynihan Station/ MSG by Vornado/Related. Image: Radii Inc. website, http:// www.radiiinc.com/Portfolio.html Below right (two images): Computer renderings of potential exhibition space in Farley Building. Images: Carlos Huber We suggest that any tenant’s commitment should be long term, preventing the historic structure from continuous exposure to alteration work. In addition, this use should be compatible with the structure and the architecture with minimum intervention. One alternative might be an arts center. The large, open, loft-like plan of the Annex lends itself to performance, studios, or a large exhibition space. This building could serve as an extension of the Chelsea arts industry, bringing an augmented arts presence to the area. Or, could many small tenants, not big box stores, be coordinated in such a way that their use of the Annex is sympathetic with the civic intentions of this building? Perhaps the developers could organize a number of independent tenants as in Chelsea Market, the factory turned marketplace, to fill the Annex with an open market that supports small business and is more in tune with the preferred method of New York shopping. In other words, a more thorough exploration of retail options is necessary, rather than a default to corporate tenants. 35
Page 1: Penn Station Redux: Preservation of
Page 4 and 5: 4 Image: Google Maps, modified by D
Page 6 and 7: 6 After thoroughly considering the
Page 8 and 9: 8 Rendering of the Pennsylvania Sta
Page 10 and 11: 10 Left: “Day and Night” by Ado
Page 12 and 13: 12 Left: Post Office viewed from Pe
Page 14 and 15: 14 Left: Hudson Yards Rezoning Map.
Page 16 and 17: 16 The public deserves Farley’s e
Page 18 and 19: 18 Eighth Avenue The Eighth Avenue
Page 20 and 21: 20 West 31 st and 33 rd Streets The
Page 22 and 23: 22 Interior Post Office Lobby The i
Page 24 and 25: 24 Mail Sorting Room and Skylight T
Page 26 and 27: 26 Original West Facade The origina
Page 28 and 29: 28 Some of the damage has occurred
Page 30 and 31: 30 Woodwork The woodwork in the Pos
Page 32 and 33: 32 Diagram, first floor Material Si
Page 37 and 38: Competing Histories: Madison Square
Page 39 and 40: Left and right: The cable roof was
Page 41: Left: Signage on extant Madison Squ
Page 44 and 45: 44 Top: Northwest view, Eighth Aven
Page 46 and 47: 46 Interior perspective sketches. I
Page 48 and 49: 48 Diagramatic plans of Madison Squ
Page 50 and 51: 50 All images this page: The Sazka
Page 52 and 53: 52 1 Madison Square Gardena. Improv
Page 54 and 55: 54 Scheme B: Dia:Hudson Yards: If t
Page 56 and 57: 56 Right: Skylight in Farley Annex
Page 58 and 59: 58 Image: Carlos Huber The develope
Page 60 and 61: 60 3. Farley Exterior: Signage Ther
Page 62 and 63: 62 At right, examples of illuminati
Page 64: 64 4. The civic character of the Ei
Page 67: Conclusion With this document, we a

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