Overlay: Architecture at the Intersection of History, Community & Culture

Designing at the intersection of architecture and the public realm, the work of Susan T Rodriguez | Architecture · Design distills the essence of cultures and communities to create architecture that is resonant with the unique characteristics of place and program and a tangible expression of our democratic values. Through work that ranges in scale and type, from interventions in historic precincts to new large-scale monumental buildings, STR | A·D brings an attitude about design that connects people to place and to each other through an architecture of interpretation. The work is inspired by the confluence of history, site, program and the relationship of interior and exterior space. Whether rural landscape, campus setting or a dense urban context, STR | A·D seeks to create an architecture that is fused with its surroundings and the natural world.

The work of STR | A·D’s research-based process is driven by a shared curiosity to explore and synthesize the unique array of issues and systems that surround a project. Weaving together program, context, structure, materials, textures, space, light and color, the studio collaborates to create formally resonant and meticulously detailed buildings that forge lasting connections to their sites. Underscoring the delicate balance between architecture and the environment, STR | A·D’s work is a model for the application of sustainable design principles and the creation of buildings that stand the test of time.

Through an exploration of STR | A·D’s current body of work, including the new Davis Center at the Harlem Meer in Central Park, Susan Rodriguez will discuss the concept of OVERLAY in the design process –an intentional act of creating NEW overlaid upon what is and what has been.