Thursday, March 25
American Design in the MoMA Collection
This year’s annual Gil Oberfield Memorial Lecture will be presented by Russell Flinchum, author, design critic and professor, who will address the topic “What Makes American Design American?” Flinchum’s familiarity with the MoMA collection might help answer this question. 6-8 pm. Free. The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, 212-683-0023.
Thursday, March 25
Modern Architects
The Paul Rudolph Foundation presents this conversation about Della Valle + Bernheimer Design’s work and renovation of Rudolph’s 23 Beekman Place residence. 6:45-8 pm. $15. Modulightor, 246 E. 58th St. For details, click here.
Thursday, March 25
Kevin Walsh Talk
Kevin Walsh’s blog, Forgotten NY, is a treasure trove of information about the less chronicled history, architecture, neighborhoods and infrastructure of New York City. A native New Yorker, he is the author of “Forgotten New York: Views of a Lost Metropolis.” 6:30-7:30 pm. Free. Columbia University, 200 South, Fayerweather.
Friday, March 26
Construction Industry Breakfast Forum
Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch is the featured speaker at this forum; he will discuss his New York State budget rescue plan. 8 am. Building Congress members, $75; non-members, $100. Hilton New York, 1335 Ave. of the Americas. For more information, visit www.buildingcongress.com.
Friday, March 26 to Saturday, March 27
Introduction to the Orders
Don’t know your Doric from your Ionic? Confuse Corinthian and Composite? Then you should sign up for this two-day classical architecture course, which begins with a comprehensive introduction to the vocabulary of classical and traditional design, with special emphasis on the orders, concepts, history and language used in the Greek and Roman orders. The subsequent session delves further into each order, its proportions and its use in architectural structures. Fri., 6–9 pm; Sat., 10 am–4 pm. $250. Institute of Classical Architecture, 20 W. 44th St., 212-730-9646.
Saturday, March 27
If Walls Could Talk: A Workshop on the Genealogy of Your Home
As part of the Brooklyn Historical Society’s Celebrating a Century event series, this two-hour workshop will help you uncover the history of your house using the Society’s resources. You will be introduced to the Society’s Othmer Library collections and the essential tools for house and building research. Then you will have the opportunity to use your new skills to piece together the architectural and social history of any Brooklyn home or block. 2 pm. $10. Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights. Call 718-222-4111, ext. 250 or e-mail vservice@brooklynhistory.org to reserve a spot.
Sunday, March 28
Gramercy Park to Stuyvesant Square
These memorable historic districts contain some of Manhattan’s most beautiful and varied streetscapes. Both were developed around parks in the mid-19th century and feature impressive homes, prestigious clubs and religious institutions. The origins of these neighborhoods will be discussed, as well as how these residential districts have evolved and resisted change. Highlights on this tour include the homes of interior designer Elsie de Wolfe and actor Edwin Booth. Municipal Art Society members, 11 am–1 pm. $10; non-members, $15. Meet outside 111 E.15th St. For more information, visit www.mas.org.
Wednesday, March 31
The New Urbanism of Mayor Lindsay: The Downtown Scene
Mayor John Lindsay (1966-73) ushered in a new era of creative urban planning and elevated it to a critical domain of public policy, with efforts to protect the microculture of neighborhoods during urban renewal. This lecture will consider the interplay between the resurgent Downtown art scene and New York’s new urbanism in the 1960s and ’70s. 6–8 pm. $10. The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, 212-683-0023.
Wednesday, March 31
The Sensual City
The Sensual City is a project that answers the urgent question of what urban planning should be today. Multiple cities with populations of more than 10 million people have developed in all the continents, and half the world’s population now lives in towns. This relentless expansion is not without consequences: it causes functional problems on an unprecedented scale, and it threatens both the planet’s resources and city life. Architect Jacques Ferrier will discuss his approach: thinking about a new relationship between design, planning and technology, and new ways of living in tomorrow’s city. 6-8 pm. $10. The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, 212-683-0023.
Wednesday, March 31
Barry Bergdoll: Mastering McKim’s Plan in the 21st Century
At this year’s McKim Lecture, Barry Bergdoll, professor of architectural history at Columbia University, will discuss Charles Follen McKim’s masterplan for Columbia University and its relevance in the 21st century. 6:15 pm. $55 for cocktail reception and lecture; $70 for optional dinner. College Hall at the University Club, 1 W. 54th St. RSVP required to 212-730-9646, ext. 109. (Note: Jacket and tie required for men; equivalent for ladies.)
SALES
FIND HOME FURNISHINGS
59 Ninth St., Gowanus, Brooklyn, 718-369-2705
Hours: Mon-Sat., 10 am-6 pm; Sun., 11 am-5 pm
Sale: Through April 15
This Gowanus-area furniture store, which features antiques and reproductions, is celebrating the spring season with 40 percent off all in-stock dining room furniture including tables, chairs and consoles.
STARK CARPET WAREHOUSE SALE
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St.
Hours: Thurs. and Fri, 10 am-9 pm; Sat., 10 am-8 pm; Sun., 10 am-6 pm
Sale: March 25-28
Get savings of up to 75 percent on area rugs, broadloom, remnants, fabric and wall coverings. There will also be fabrics and linens by Kravet, Scalamandre, Holland & Sherry and Pratesi.
THEODORE ALEXANDER
At ABC Carpet & Home locations in Manhattan and Hackensack, NJ
For hours visit www.abchome.com
Sale: Through April 4
Take 20 percent off the entire collection of Theodore Alexander fine furniture. Each piece utilizes fine materials and traditional craftsmanship.
TUCKER ROBBINS
33-02 Skillman Ave., Long Island City, Queens, 718-764-0222
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm; Sat., by appointment only
Sale: Through March 31
Think you can’t afford Robbins’ eco-friendly furniture? This warehouse sale makes his driftwood benches, ceramic and tropical wood stools/tables (like the Hollow Zig-Zag, shown) and wire poufs — sourced from all over the world — far more affordable, now that they are marked 50 to 70 percent off.
TUFENKIAN CARPETS
919 Third Ave., 800-432-9917
Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9 am-6 pm
Sale: Through March 28
Save 50-75 percent on artisan and designer rugs by Barbara Barry, Clodagh, Laura Kirar, Mark Pollack, Kevin Walz and Vicente Wolf at this annual sample sale. Rugs measuring 4′ x 6′ are now $430 – $2,027 (reg. $1,575-$3,975); 6′ x 9′ rugs now $840-$3,940 (reg. $3,075-$7,725).
If you’d like to have your event or sale listed, please e-mail jceaser@nypost.com.
