In 1981, Steven Holl unveiled a visionary proposal to repurpose an obsolete elevated railway in New York’s Chelsea district, which after four decades is now known as the Highline, into a fusion of housing and public space. Since his innovative “bridge house” concept, which intertwined the railway’s infrastructure with the ground, Holl has consistently delved into an architectural paradigm that marries landscape and structure, addressing the city’s intricate layered form. Over the ensuing 40 years, this exploration has given birth to an array of projects that echo the ethos of three-dimensional architecture in harmony with the land. This multifaceted architectural form not only unveils expansive green spaces for the public but also stands as an iconic landmark.
Steven Holl’s architectural journey underscores a profound relationship with the land and an enduring commitment to integrating landscape and architecture. This approach epitomizes how the principle of Parallel Grounds can manifest in urban realms, carving out public spaces and bestowing green lungs. Through this exhibition, Steven Holl Architects seeks to illuminate how the Z-dimensional architectural philosophy evolved in synergy with the terrain, with a vivid display of the firm’s sketches and projects.
- Steven Holl Architects is an internationally recognized, innovative architecture and urban design office with locations in the Hudson Valley, New York, and Beijing. Steven Holl founded the firm in 1977 and leads the office with partners Noah Yaffe, Roberto Bannura, and Dimitra Tsachrelia. Steven Holl Architects is internationally honored with architecture’s most prestigious awards, publications, and exhibitions for excellence in design. Awards include the Velux Daylight Award for Daylight in Architecture (2016), the Praemium Imperiale Award for Architecture (2014), the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects (2012), the RIBA Jencks Award (2010), the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2009), the Grande Medaille d’Or from the French Academie D’Architecture (2001), and the Alvar Aalto Award (1998).