Three Notable Female Figures in Urban Development: Gae Aulenti, Ada Louise Huxtable, and Phyllis Lambert
Unsung Heroines: A Triad of Trailblazers Revisited
💡Did ya know? These iconic ladies, though mostly un acquainted, shared a common thread. A bond of progress woven tightly, as exhibited by the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, with their awe-inspiring showcase "Crossed Histories", till May 17.
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) — a trailblazing designer, — is renowned for her creation of the famous Pipistrello lamp, as well as the layout for the Musée d'Orsay in Paris (7th district).
💡Fascinating Fact: She helmed various iconic projects, including the National Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona and the revamp of the Objets Trouvés boutique into the museum shop for the Musée d'Orsey.
Ada Louise Huxtable (1921-2013), on the other hand, was a critic par excellence, taking home a Pulitzer Prize, and serving as the architectural chronicler for the New York Times for decades. Her thought-provoking reviews sparked debates and reflections that greatly fueled the public discourse on architecture and urban planning.
💡Riveting Tidbit: She became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her astute observations on the built environment.
Phyllis Lambert (1927-2023), a Canadian architect and philanthropist, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with greats like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, designing the iconic Seagram Building in the 1950s. This landmark skyscraper, spanning just three stories, is an embodiment of their shared vision.
💡Did ya know? The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) was brought into being by Lambert, to promote education, research, and dialogue around architecture, further enriching the urban landscape.
The "Crossed Histories" exhibition, at the Canadian Cultural Centre, 130, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8, showcases these formidable figures' separate yet interwoven stories, allowing us a peek into their impact on the present-day metropolis. The exhibits consist of archival images, drawings, and documents, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these little-known luminaries.
"Crossed Histories", Canadian Cultural Centre, 130, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8, until May 17.
Penned by Clement Ghys
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Reuse this Content, Credit Appropriately[1] "Gae Aulenti", Wikipedia.[2] "Ada Louise Huxtable", Wikipedia.[3] "Phyllis Lambert", Wikipedia.
- Phyllis Lambert, a Canadian designer and philanthropist, is one of the triplets featured in the "Crossed Histories" exhibition at the Canadian Cultural Centre.
- Interestingly, Phyllis Lambert, like Ada Louise Huxtable, has left a significant mark on the field of architecture and urban planning, contributing to the discourse through her roles and works.
- Despite not winning a Pulitzer Prize, Phyllis Lambert's contributions to the design world, such as her work on the Seagram Building, are no less noteworthy than Huxtable's achievements.
- The health-and-wellness sector, including women's health, could benefit from the reflections and insights gained from studying the lives and works of these unsung heroines, as their accomplishments show how science and design can impact our cities and daily lives.
