AIA kicks off annual architecture week on Oct. 6.

A diverse line-up of special programs will offer something for everyone interested in design during the week of October 6-11 at the Center for Architecture in celebration of Architecture Week 2005: the third annual six-day festival of architecture and design.

Whether its exploring green designs with kids, touring New York spaces not ordinarily open to the public or plunging into a six-hour dialogue on design with professionals from around the world, this year's Architecture Week will offer everyone--from children to seasoned professionals--the opportunity to discover and celebrate design through a variety of activities, many of them free.

The theme for this year's festival --"Architecture: Bringing Cultures Together"--is reflected in the Center's second major international exhibition, "Field Experiments in Art-Architecture-Landscape: Hombroich Spaceplacelab," which brings together designs by leading architects and artists for a 650-acre experimental community in Germany (on view beginning September 23rd).

Kicking off the festivities on Thursday, October 6, will be the exhibition opening for Two Columbus Circle, showcasing Allied Works Architecture's design for the proposed home of the Museum of Arts & Design. Offering the public its first look at one of the most closely-watched building projects in New York City, the exhibition will present. models and plans for the transformation of the long-derelict building into a state-of-the-art, light-filled museum. Later in the week on Monday, October 10, a related program--Exploring Columbus Circle--will offer a behind-the-scenes perspective of the making of one of New York City's most exciting intersections.

Thursday, October 6 will bring the Heritage Ball, the annual gala of the AIA New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture Foundation. Held at Chelsea Piers' Pier 60, the Ball draws more than 1,000 leaders in architecture, design, construction, real estate and public service. This year's honorees include will include J. Max Bond, Jr., FAIA, partner with Davis Brody Bond; Amanda M. Burden, Hon. AIA NY, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning; Frank J. Sciame, Jr., Hon. AIA NY, CEO of F.J. Sciame Construction; and the New York Restoration Project, recognizing Bette Midler.

After the Ball, celebration will accelerate with the annual Party@theCenter (located at 536 LaGuardia Place).

On Friday, October 7, a special exhibition reception will begin for "Field Experiments in Art-Architecture-Landscape: Hombroich Spaceplacelab" (on view September 23 to December 31, 2005). The evening will offer visitors a special opportunity to view projects integrating art, architecture and landscape, designed for an abandoned military base near Cologne, Germany, by such internationally-renowned architects and artists as Tadao Ando, Shigeru Ban and Alvaro Siza.

On Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, the Center for Architecture will be the official welcome center for the popular openhousenewyork tours. The free tours open the doors to more than over 150 fascinating sites in all five boroughs. Programs at the sites include conversations with designers, exhibits, performances and children's activities. Information on the sites, and on the not-for-profit organization openhousenewyork, is available at www.ohny.org.

As part of the openhousenewyork weekend, the Center will host the "Building Green" Family Day, on Saturday, October 8. Organized by the Center for Architecture Foundation in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration, this free, fun workshop invites family members of all ages to learn about green design through interactive, hands-on activities. The workshop also features tours of the Center's cost-effective and eco-friendly geothermal system, the only one publicly accessible in the region.

Following the Family Day workshop, design enthusiasts from all backgrounds are invited to attend the Center for Architecture's third annual Design-In Marathon, also scheduled for Saturday, October 8. This free event, running uninterrupted from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., will bring together more than 25 voices from around the world. This year's marathon will investigate experimental communities that integrate art, architecture and landscape, using the Center's current exhibition as a springboard for discussion.

Other events during Architecture Week 2005 will include Films! Films! Films!, an afternoon of films about architecture (on Sunday, October 9), co-sponsored by the Center for Architecture with Artists Space.

Architecture Week 2005 will conclude with an exhibition reception for the AIA New York Chapter Design Awards on Tuesday, October 11. Guests will have an opportunity to view the award-winning projects, announced September 19th, in an exhibition at the Center for Architecture from October 6 to December 3, 2005. The competition, organized by the AIA New York Chapter Design Awards Committee, recognizes excellence in three categories: Architecture, Projects and Interior Architecture. Also on view at the Center will be the annual exhibition of the 2005 AIA New York Chapter Housing Design Awards.