LVHRD - "Master-Disaster Architect Duel"

OnTuesday, Jan 18th, 2005, The LVHRD Foundation hosted the "Master-Disaster Architect Duel" at downtown's M1-5.

Matthew Johnson from Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Jason Carlow from Smith-Miller + Hawkinson were invited to compete in a battle of improvisational glory. They were given the same amount of materials, tools, and a brief outlining the rules and plans for their design. Upon hearing the brief, Johnson and Carlow had 30 minutes to plan and sketch their design. At the end of the 30 minutes, their assistants (Hayley Eber, DS+R and Aurelie Paradiso, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects) joined them on stage, and they had one hour to build their structures. When time was up, audience members voted via silent ballot on the best design.

View the official press release, or the model photos.

the event was published in TimeOut New York's issue no. 485. Click here to view the article.

photos by Youngna Park and Jen Dunlap (where noted) .

Charles Renfro and Matthew Johnson of Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Jason Carlow of Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects LLP

Jen Dunlap assists as Tim Harrington (Les Savy Fav) explains the materials and rules

Jen Dunlap explains the "mystery materials"

Matthew Johnson and Jason Carlow use RPS to decide upon cutting board and mystery materials

Matthew Johnson carefully planning his design

Jason Carlow explains his design strategy to assistant Aurelie Paradiso (Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects)

The crowd watches Carlow and Johnson building their structures (photo Jen Dunlap)

Matthew Johnson uses one of the tools to complete his structure

Jason Carlow completeing the top tier of his structure

Aurelie Paradiso assembles one of the main supports of the SM+H structure

Matthew Johnson and Hayley Eber assemble the base of their structure

Jason Carlow assembling the final touches of his design

Matthew Johnson and Hayley Eber demonstrate their design

Zach Klein and Doug Jaeger discuss the final designs

Doug Jaeger, Jen Dunlap, and Matthew Spangler count the ballots

Hayley Eber and Matthew Johnson

Matthew Johnson discusses his structure

Jason Carlow's final design (photo Jen Dunlap)

Final Designs: Matthew Johnson (left), Jason Carlow (right) (photo Jen Dunlap)