LVHRD - Official Release                                       

 LVHRD MASTER or DISASTER ARCHITECT DUEL
MARRED BY BALLOT STUFFING

Questions of voter fraud force recount

Winner declared too close to call

 NEW YORK, NY JANUARY 19, 2004 - On Tuesday, January 18 the LVHRD Foundation continued its acclaimed series of monthly salons with Master or Disaster Architect Duel. Frigid weather did nothing to deter over 500 of the architecture industry’s leaders and fans packing Tribeca’s MI-5 lounge. The night proved a smashing success, with the architecture community rallying together to lend support for renowned architects Matthew Johnson of Diller Scofidio  +Renfro and Jason Carlow of Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects LLP. Unfortunately, the crowd’s fervor proved a hindrance, as rumors abound regarding some taking advantage of the time-honored ballot process to vote more than once for their favoured architect.

  Johnson and Carlow were invited to compete before a live audience in executing an original commission. Both architects were supplied with materials, tools and a brief describing the function of the building they were to design as being an American base on the moon in the year 2050. With a time limit of only one hour, the two had to rely on their wits and talent to create scaled models of their designs. Audience members voted via silent ballot for their favourite design. Jason Carlow’s winning design—a whimsical array of luxury terraces and towers—was to have been showcased at a prominent Ma Gallery in Williamsburg. Instead, suggestions of voter fraud have resulted in the two architects demanding a recount. 

A recount was conducted the following day at thehappycorp global offices resulting in a deadlock between the two competitors.   According to LVHRD co-founder Matt Spangler, “The voting process was marred by the size of crowd and the frenzied request for voting ballots. Alcohol and the long stressful night, coupled with the impassioned supporters of both parties and the unproven collection and tallying system provided a questionable outcome.  The recount has proven that the winning vote tally was too close to call.” Spangler vows that the LVHRD Foundation will amend its voting process to make for fair and smoother elections in the future.

About the LVHRD Foundation
Established in 2004 by bon vivant Beauregard H. Montgomery and currently shepherded by Doug Jaeger and Matt Spangler—partners in the creative-services company thehappycorp.com global—LVHRD gathers, supports, and inspires the leaders utilizing creativity in their respective fields. Says Jaeger, “We want to provide a place to network, while at the same time attempting to undermine the stereotypical and negative aspects of networking.” Membership to the foundation is free and available through www.lvhrd.com.

Press inquiries: