AIA New York | Center for Architecture - New York, New York

Charlotte S.

Took the AIANY architecture boat trip around Manhattan. Excellent! Highly recommended. Doug was our guide. Really knowledgeable, engaged with the audience, and helped us all understand more about the architecture and history. Great way to see and learn about NYC from a different perspective.

Mikołaj G.

The place may be interesting, but the way guests are treated is outrageous. During the tour, I had to constantly make room for the service gentleman who, regardless of anything else, covered the exposition with tables (he had previously hidden the most important model of the entire exhibition), then I could not go to one wall because an hour before closing the same gentleman began to ostentatiously wash the floor and told me not to enter because it's wet. Finally, I found out that the toilets are closed (even though the same guy left one of them a moment earlier). I don't understand a bit how you can carry out your mission in such an arrogant way.

Bryan

Very unique venue with curated presentation materials from multi-disciplinary architectural firms. I attended a few keynote presentations during a seminar day for a software I was interested in and was very happy with the event. There is a large auditorium downstairs with a mid-level balcony overlooking the space.

Manley B.

If you're interested in architecture, design and construction, the Center for Architecture is the right place for you. They usually have conference around the themes and other related activities.

I was there several times during Archtober (October) which is the month for architecture.

Fabrizio R.

Unfortunately, neither the website nor the social pages (including that of Google) are updated. it took us about an hour to get here to be told that the spaces are not open to the public and the exhibition cannot be visited, not even for a fee.
Even if all the web pages say "open to public" and we arrived during opening hours. Sin

A Z.

Realistically, unreliable.

I’ve came to this location for years, probably a decade now. I never really had too many questions and just wanted to learn. I never met anyone, no one really talked. I just sat and listened and left. 10 years later, I’m coming in with simple questions like can I get a copy of the slides from 3 years ago?

1) VERY slow service. It took months to get someone to tell me that they didn’t have it. I knew they did because it was about statistics so that just really upset me. I considered it rude to lie to me about facts.

2) I had to go through about 9 people just to get one to two things checked off my list of things I need from the Center for Architecture. Now I call it the Void of Architecture. Everyone I called, rerouted me back to this location. That is literally the definition of manipulation and ignorance.

3) After I finally got passed through to get facts (over three months of getting ignored) I, once again, have a list of things I needed to find. I was ignored again. I left emails, voicemails and even left comments online. Still ignored to this day.

If you’re trying to get information, go to NYS AIA. Save the time and effort and expect that NYC won’t respond back. They don’t know anything and everything just disappears. Every borough will tell you to go to this location. Well now you know this location is a dead end for information. Trust me, it took me months of arguing to get a copy of the slides.

They do not email, use their phone or use other platforms to communicate. They do not communicate. The most you can get out of this place are the credits. You walk in, checkin and walk out. There’s nothing else there.

Shanique N.

The center for Archirecture was a very nice place. Unfortunately one of the employee was very rude and disrespectful and the rest was no where to be found. I had never been in an establishment where there wasn't any associates around to assist me if I needed any help (bottom floor). I saw some supplies down the stairs and thought they were available for everyone to use. My daughter and I started to grab some to start building. After I waited for about 10 minutes waiting to see if anyone would come to give assistance. NO ONE CAME. A few minutes later a group of kids came down the stairs. I simple tried to explain to the employee that I was looking for someone to see if they would help us but I could not find anyone. He started getting his attitude. Told me to put the supplies back and that I would have to leave. WE WHERE THERE FIRST! he could have easily just said he would move us to the back and when we where finish we could leave quietly. I really wish someone was there to tell us we couldn't use it before me and my daughter started grabbing things. Could have saved me a huge embarrassment in front of the class. Overall my 3 year old daughter had a good time and he did suggest that they have family event for building on Saturday( that is why I bumped it up to three stars)

Michael C.

I stop by at least once a month. This is not only a crucial venue for architects and others in the broader world of construction, it is open to the public at no charge for its varied exhibits. Their seminars and lectures often come at a nominal cost to the general public, but they usually make up for it with a light smorgasbord of snacks and beverages. The storefront exposure makes it especially welcoming.