During the inauguration of DORMA’s World of Access Design Center, designed as a resource for architects, designers, contractors and other members of New York’s design community, panellists took part in discussions centred on differences between the German and US architectural experience, from education to practice and government regulations to building quality.
Global manufacturer of architectural door hardware and glass wall systems – DORMA – opened its World of Access Design Center in midtown Manhattan, New York, 3 December. The 8,500-square-foot space has been designed as a resource for architects, designers, contractors and other members of New York’s design community.
The inauguration started off with a panel discussion, “Rebooting Europe: How Architects are Responding to Difficult Times on the Continent.” The panellists included David Piscuskas, of 1100 ARCHITECT, a New York firm with a practice in Germany, and Dr. Thomas Welter, Secretary General of the Federal Association of German Architects BDA, which represents 5,000 leading architects and urban planners in that country. The discussion centred on differences between the German and US architectural experience, from education to practice and government regulations to building quality.
The Germans lamented the degradation of educational requirements following standardization parameters among European Union countries, while Piscuskas noted the differences in how projects are bid. “In Germany, the architect’s fee is established based on the complexity and quality of the project,” said Piscuskas. “Here in the US, it’s a brawl.”
The day’s events include a tour of the new centre and a second panellist topic, “Made Here: German Architecture and Design in New York City” featuring Matthias Neumann, normaldesign LLC, a Germany-born architect who moved to New York City in 2000; Philipp von Dalwig, MANIFOLD Architecture Studio (MAS); and Juergen Riehm, 1100 ARCHITECT.
The Design Center’s features include examples of door systems and pullout cabinets to browse hardware and other options, as well as a media table that can upload spec materials and integrate them into images or drawings.
The World of Access Design Center provides accredited continuing education programmes, instructional sessions, and product and service introductions, with officials of the company available to host design consultations and other meetings with clients.