A remarkable exhibition showcasing architectural drawings and photographs is currently on display at Paul Rudolph's iconic Modulightor Building in Manhattan, New York. The exhibition, titled "Architecture & Art: The Susan Grant Lewin Collection," is being hosted by the Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture (PRIMA) and brings together an impressive collection of works by some of the world's most prominent architects and architectural photographers.
The exhibition features works by renowned architects including Eileen Gray, Daniel Arsham, Frank Gehry, Jesse Reiser, Hani Rashid, Steven Holl, Aldo Rossi, Michael Graves, James Wines, Stanley Tigerman, and John Hejduk, among others. Complementing these architectural drawings is a carefully selected collection of photographs by distinguished architectural photographers such as Ezra Stoller, Robin Hill, Norman McGrath, and Paul Clemence. The exhibition opened its doors on July 2, 2025, and will remain accessible to the public until September 20, 2025.
Approximately 50 architectural presentation drawings occupy two floors of the historic Modulightor Building, which takes its name from the lighting company that Paul Rudolph founded alongside Ernst Wagner in 1976. This building stands as a significant example of late modernist architecture in New York City and was originally conceived to serve dual purposes as both a showroom and workspace for the lighting company, with the upper floors designed as rental apartment units. In a remarkable display of architectural control, Rudolph took on the roles of client, architect, and contractor to ensure the project's completion in 1989.
The Modulightor Building itself embodies Rudolph's architectural philosophy through its distinctive features, including open, multi-level interiors and strategically placed reflective surfaces. These design elements perfectly demonstrate Rudolph's innovative ideas about layered space, interlocking volumes, and the sophisticated manipulation of light throughout architectural environments. The building serves as an ideal venue for this exhibition, creating a harmonious dialogue between the displayed works and their architectural setting.
Curated by Eshaan Mehta, the exhibited drawings represent both hand-drawn and digitally rendered works, focusing on conceptual and presentation pieces that showcase the essential role of drawing in an architect's expressive process. The selection thoughtfully represents multiple generations of architects and various architectural ideologies, emphasizing the persuasiveness and imagination captured in the drawings rather than their purely documentary value. The curatorial approach recognizes these architects as sharing a deep commitment to drawing as both a communicative tool and an artistic medium.
The photography component of the exhibition follows this same philosophical approach, with works described as "not merely records of completed buildings but carefully composed works that stand on their own as art." The curatorial vision highlights how these photographs express atmosphere, intention, and the emotional experience of architectural space, underscoring the crucial role that photography plays in shaping our understanding and appreciation of the built environment.
Susan Grant Lewin, the architecture and design collector whose collection forms the foundation of this exhibition, expressed her vision for the collection: "I want to collect architects, photographers, and designers who are at the top of their game and contributing to the field. These drawings transcend function. They are personal, poetic, and often provocative. They show how architecture begins with a bold visual idea." Her statement encapsulates the exhibition's focus on the artistic and conceptual aspects of architectural practice.
This exhibition is part of a broader cultural moment in New York City, with several other significant architectural exhibitions taking place simultaneously. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa's famous Nakagin Capsule Tower, running from July 10, 2025, through July 12, 2026. Additionally, the New Museum is preparing for its reopening in fall 2025 with an exhibition that explores the very definition of humanity, adding to the city's rich architectural discourse.
Looking beyond New York, the architectural and design community has several major events on the horizon. The 18th Istanbul Biennial, Turkey's largest international exhibition dedicated to contemporary art, is planned to unfold in three stages between 2025 and 2027. Meanwhile, the inaugural Copenhagen Architecture Biennial is set to open on September 18, 2025, promising to add new voices to the global architectural conversation. These events collectively demonstrate the vibrant and interconnected nature of contemporary architectural culture and exhibition practice.
