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NYC’s beloved Hugh Hardy
Hugh Hardy is the quintessential New York architect. During his long and illustrious career, his contributions to some of the city’s most iconic and beloved cultural institutions have been indelible: Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the New Amsterdam and New Victory Theaters on 42nd Street, and the New York Botanical Garden. It would be difficult to pin him to a particular style or mode of designing. His approach is to derive the best solution possible from each project’s context and client’s needs. For example, at Radio City Music Hall, he restored the building to its original art deco elegance; but at the Harvey Theater at BAM, his restoration retains both new and old elements layered together in the same space.
Although Hugh Hardy is best known for the work he’s done in NYC, he has an impressive portfolio of projects from across the country. Hugh applied his knowledge of theatrical acoustics and sightlines to the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Jackson, MS, where he worked with the chief judge to design courtrooms that make it as easy as possible for the judge and jury to clearly hear every testimony and see each piece of evidence, which traditionally has been eclipsed by other concerns. The Botanical Research Institute of Texas showcases his innovation in landscape design, energy and water management, and materials.
Theater of Architecture features interviews with Hugh’s clients and collaborators, conducted by Mildred Friedman, which demonstrate his commitment to a shared practice. Hugh’s daughter, Penny Hardy, along with Carren Edward Petrosyan, of the graphic design firm PS New York, designed the book.
Sara Stemen, Senior Editor here at Princeton Architectural Press, was the project editor on Theater of Architecture and says that Hugh is “incredibly enthusiastic. He’s mad about the process of architecture, of theater, of language. The meticulous attention Hardy gives to his work and his writing are inspiring; it has been an honor to work with him. His body of work is impressive, and a gift to New York City and beyond.”
