Architects Help.
Rebuilding the City within the City

"... great architecture would be the poetic fusion of function and beauty ...
Architecture is not fashion; its not the flavor of the month. "
- Nancy Goshow, Goshow Architects
 

Nancy & Eric Goshow New York City: 9/11 claimed the lives of nearly 3000 people and took down two landmark buildings in New York City. So much has happened since that horrific morning ... so much war and death in a clash between modernity and the pre-modern world. We are all challenged to our very core to answer the basic questions about the meaning and value of life so we can attempt to build bridges between any type of fundamentalism and the really real fundamentals of life.

The founders of Goshow Architects, Nancy & Eric Goshow, have taken a day to tell us their story; and by doing so, challenge us all to look at the spaces that surround us; and, in the shadows of the World Trade Center, ask questions about the meaning and value of the places where we live and work.

From these two natural teachers, we are given many special insights.

Key Ideas: A Case Study Guide.

Shelter. One of the basics. In this week's show we look at how people take a space, some natural materials from the earth, and fashion an enclosure -- a place to sleep, a place to call our own, places to work, places to sell what we create, and, then places to congregate. We have come a long way from the cave, yet within this television show, we get a sense that we still have a ways to go.

From rather simple beginnings, architecture, interior design and construction have become art forms, a way of disclosing our perception of who we are. But in this show we'll take you to the front door of the oldest house in New York City - the Morris-Jumel House overlooking Yankee Stadium. Built in 1765, aspects of its design go back to the ancient Greek architecture of 1300 BC.

So one might ask, "What have we learned in over three thousand years? Where is this industry, namely architecture and design, taking us? Are they leading us? Are they giving us a deeper appreciation for meaning of space, and of how the physical boundaries interact with the intangibles, including our manifold understanding of spiritual realities (we see their work on the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church).

EXPLORE FURTHER: 
  • THE PHOTO ALBUM:  A picture is often worth 1000 words. Here are the faces of many people who study and dream about interface between form and function.
  • SELECTION: Nancy and Eric Goshow were recommended by many people and organizations. Besides receiving accolades in New York City for their leadership to support non-profit organizations, Nancy has also shared their mutual insights in articles in Architectural Record, Progressive Architecture (no web, only in libraries) and Interiors Magazine.
  • MORE CASE STUDIES ON ARCHITECTURE. It seems as though architecture, design and the arts all run together. Form-function, as Nancy says, "fusion of function and beauty." You may find it interesting to review shows in both categories: Architecture where you will also find Altoon + Porter. Ron Altoon was once the president of the AIA. And under the Arts, you will find Triplex Cinema where a retired architect demonstrates that doing is better than retiring.
  • LOOK AT STEP 5: EMPLOYEES.  Nancy says regarding the forty-year cycle of starting and growing your businesss, "In the last 10 years you look to the future of the firm, to bringing in new partners, and to mentoring those young people coming up in the field; and even now, we're trying to give the mentoring we did not have."
  • WATCH QUALITY TV.  Nancy and Eric's local station is NJN and NJN. But this show might be airing on stations around the country. Check here. To find out which Small Business School show is airing on your local PBS-member station, click here.

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