August 17, 2011
by Rebecca Parelman Center for Architecture Foundation

Dean Maltz and tour group tour the Metal Shutter House.

Tim Hayduk

The Center for Architecture Foundation’s tour series New Buildings New York took 30 architecture enthusiasts to tour Shigeru Ban Architect’s Metal Shutter House. Jeff Spiritos, Spiritos Properties, and Dean Maltz, partner of Shigeru Ban Architects, organized the private tour.

The Metal Shutter House is an innovative addition to West 19th Street, taking its form and name from the metal shutters that are integrated into the design and reflect the warehouses-turned-galleries that are predominant in Chelsea. Maltz and Spiritos provided visitors with a detailed explanation about Shigeru Ban, FAIA’s design intent, as well as about the execution and construction of the project during the past six years. Guests also had the opportunity to tour the penthouse, with its two floor-to-ceiling bi-folding glass doors on either end of the living room façade, three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and approximately 3,300 square feet of interiors with 2,000 square feet of terraces and balconies.

The tour raised approximately $2,500 to help support the Foundation’s Programs@theCenter — interactive gallery tours and hands-on workshops designed to engage youth and families in contemporary topics about the built environment.

The Foundation would like to extend thanks to Maltz for volunteering his time to lead the tour, as well as to Spiritos for coordinating the event on behalf of the Foundation. More New Buildings New York tours are planned for 2011. Visit the Foundation’s website for information, or e-mail info@cfafoundation.org and request to be added to the mailing list.