Fight! Fight! Starchitects on the Playground

Re: announcements that David Rockwell and Frank Gehry will be designing playgrounds in New York City, at Burling Slip and Battery Park, respectively.

I await to be impressed.

by Alec Appelbaum, New York Times magazine, 06.2007



THEME, PER CITY PRESS RELEASE:
David Rockwell, Burling Slip: "The feel of a working slip!"
Frank Gehry, Battery Park: "Where land and sea, history and modernity combine in a refuge!"

EXCITING DESIGN ELEMENT:
Rockwell, Burling Slip: “Adventure playground” gear, such as sandbags, with on-site staff to help kids make their own fun.
Gehry, Battery Park: “Green” restroom with "vegetal walls."

ARCHITECT'S PREVIOUS ATHLETIC-FACILITY COUP:
Rockwell: Pittsburgh Steelers Stadium, Coke-bottle-shaped playground in left field of Atlanta Braves’ ballpark.
Gehry: Brooklyn Nets arena.

ARCHITECT'S KIDDIE CRED:
Rockwell: Designed FAO Schwartz store; overhauled libraries for the Robin Hood Foundation.
Gehry: Has appeared on The Simpsons.

TARGET OPENING DATE:
Rockwell, Burling Slip: Fall 2008.
Gehry, Battery Park: Early 2009.

ANNOUNCED PRICE TAG:
Rockwell, Burling Slip: $2 million for "play workers."
Gehry, Battery Park: $4 million this year, more TBD once Gehry has a design.