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The Architecture of Community:
Building a Connected Future
January 20, 2023 |5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
259 10th Avenue New York, NY 10001
In our lives–both online and offline, professional and personal–we often take architecture for granted. But when it comes to building real human communities, the structure and setup of the spaces in which we work, learn and socialize have a critical role to play.
This event brings together three industry leaders to discuss the role and transformative potential of architecture, brick-and-mortar as well as digital. In the 21st century, how can we harness the power of architecture to strengthen our sense of belonging, deepen our learning and support the growth of vibrant communities? In an age of siloed news feeds, headphones and downturned faces, how can we construct truly shared spaces, both virtual and physical?
Live attendees are invited to join us for snacks and refreshments at 5:00 PM in FOOD, Avenues New York’s cafeteria, overlooking the High Line. Our program will begin at 5:30 PM EST. After the presentation, drinks will be served in FOOD.
Live attendees will be given the opportunity to download the Membit AR app and access a unique set of AR experiences in and around our campus and the High Line.
Meet our Speakers
Aybars Asci
President Efficiency Lab for Architecture
President and founder of the award-winning firm Efficiency Lab for Architecture, Aybars Asci has over 25 years of experience as a practicing architect in New York and London, and has led projects in North America, Central America, the Middle East and Asia. As an educator, Aybars has taught seminars and studios on efficiency, high rise design and environmental systems at the City College of New York, Cornell University, the Pratt Institute and Northeastern University. As Avenues’ global design architect, he led the design of Avenues’ campuses in Shenzhen and Silicon Valley, its future campus in Miami, and the transformation of its campuses in São Paulo and New York. Aybars is passionate about research-driven and environmentally-sensitive design.
Kevin Rice
Principal Diller, Scofidio + Renfro
Kevin Rice has more than 25 years of experience in the design and management of cultural, educational and public space projects. Since joining DS+R in 2005, Kevin has led some of the studio’s highest profile projects, including the Museum of Modern Art’s renovation and expansion, and the design and construction of The Broad contemporary art museum in downtown Los Angeles. Currently, Kevin is the Principal in Charge for the restoration and expansion of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas, Wright’s only completed theater, and is working with the US Department of State to plan and design embassies around the world. He sits on the Historic Preservation Committee of the Municipal Arts Society in New York and has lectured on the integration of public space and architecture at colleges and universities around the country.
Jay Van Buren
Co-Founder and CEO Membit, Inc
Jay Van Buren is an innovator, artist, and augmented-reality evangelist with almost two decades of experience in interactive media, marketing, and PR. Jay was responsible for the look and feel of the Forbes-Favorite award-winning Multex Investor site in the late 90’s and went on to create interactive marketing and PR vehicles for companies like Conde Nast and Bayer Aspirin. In the past seventeen years, his interactive design studio, Early-Adopter, completed sites for clients such as the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Drawing Center, Twyla Tharp and Avenues the World School. Early-Adopter was acquired by The Glimpse Group in April of 2018. Jay holds an MFA in painting from Parsons, the New School for Design.