By Matt Chaban and Elise Knutsen 2/07/12 7:11pm

It Takes a Village

The winning AIDS memorial design

AIDS Memorial Divides Village People: Tiny Triangle Tears Community Between Reflection and Recreation

Happy hour had just ended at the Stonewall Inn on Monday night (2-for-1 well, beer and wine). Rob (dirty martini) and Steve (Budweiser) were sitting at a table discussing the merits of Tom Brady and Eli Manning.

“Brady is better in the pocket, he’s better by the numbers, but Eli just always pulls it out for you,” Scott said. “No pun intended,” he quickly added.

“I think Brady’s better. He’s just past his prime,” allowed Rob.

So they were in agreement, a rarity, they said.

Among the things they disagreed on—Thai food (Rob prefers pad thai, Scott pad see ew), books (Rob thrillers, Scott histories)—was a recent proposal for an AIDS memorial on a triangle of land across from the shuttered St. Vincent’s Hospital. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 1/30/12 10:48am

It Takes a Village

"Infinite Forest" by design team at Studio A+i

A Forest Grows in the Village: Studio a+i’s AIDS Memorial Design Selected

With all the negative attention surrounding Rudin Managment’s plan to turn the old St. Vincent’s hospital into condos, there has been one piece about which people have been genuinely excited—even if it is not officially part of the plan: a new AIDS Memorial Park proposed for a triangle of land at the corner of 7th Avenue and 12th Street.

Today, the AIDS Memorial Park Design Competition jury announced the contest winner and selected a local design team from 475 submissions from around the world. The Brooklyn-based crew,  studio a+i, proposed a design called “infinite forest.” Stands of trees are set against polished surfaces reflecting the “forest” on-and-on as well as those inside. It creates a space of quiet contemplation that hides the busy city beyond. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 4:12pm

It Takes a Village

Sacred ground. (Architizer)

Is the West Village AIDS Memorial a Done Deal?

It’s official—well, almost—the West Village will be getting an AIDS memorial. After opening the design competition in November, the AIDS Memorial Park received 475 entries from architects, designers and gardeners the world over. The winner will be announced next Monday, and will receive a $5,000 prize.

The timing is appropriate, given that yesterday Bill Rudin’s development at St. Vincent’s received unanimous approval by the City Planning Commission. Several of the commissioners made mention of the AIDS memorial, including Chair Amande Burden, and stressed their desire to see a memorial included. Read More

By Matt Chaban 11/30/11 12:52pm

It Takes a Village

Picture 2

Healing Greenwich Village: Architects Planning AIDS Memorial at St. Vincent’s Site

Is a tiny triangle in Greenwich Village the next 9/11 Memorial? That’s what a pair of local activists are hoping, with their plan to turn a patch of land across from the old St. Vincent’s hospital into the city’s first AIDS memorial. They have even signed up Michael Arad, designer of the ground zero mecca, to lead a design competition for the project.

“The design process that happened after the events of 9/11… catalyzed this citywide discussion about an important historic event, and we think this design competition can do something similar,” Paul Kelterborn said in a video posted by the competition sponsors, Architizer and Architectural Record. Read More