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Van Alen Institute Reveals Three Finalists for New Storefront

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[Proposal by Collective-LOK]

In anticipation of its 120th anniversary next year, the Van Alen Institute launched a competition to redesign its street level space at 30 West 22nd Street, which has been occupied by LOT-EK's bright yellow stadium seating installation since 2011. After receiving more than 120 submissions from young designers (out of school for 10 years or less) hailing from more than 20 countries, three finalists have been revealed. The goal was to create a flexible, interactive space that could be used for a variety of events.

The above design comes from Collective-LOK. Called "Screen Play," the proposal incorporates a variety of surfaces?a polycarbonate sliding wall, mirrored exterior screens, translucent room dividers?to create a range of "spatial, curatorial, and temporal scenarios."

[Proposal from Of Possible Architectures]

Of Possible Architectures created the "Van Alen Table," a play on the Van Alen Stairs that were inspired by the TKTS Steps. The system expands and contracts to accommodate different uses and create relationships between the users. The facade would be reconfigured to open up to create a large front porch, and the interior would be landscaped in three separate spaces to incorporate greenery.

[Proposal from EFGH]

The third design, by EFGH, reimagines the space as a grand hall that brings the street life inside. Three mobile components?a media wedge, bleacher seating, and hinge table?can be easily set up and moved to change the space from workshop to gallery to performance space in a short amount of time.

The Van Alen Institute invites the public to vote for their favorite design on Architizer, and the winner will be announced at the end of the month.
· Ground/Work competition [official]
· Vote For Your Favorite [Architizer]