Cool Spaces!

We believe buildings are for people and that architecture can inspire. We are excited for the premiere of Cool Spaces! which is set to run in 48 of the top 50 US markets.

Last week Stephen Chung screened the first episode of Cool Spaces! at the Boston Society of Architects (BSA). Chung shared with the assembled crowd his process and journey; what it took to make Cool Spaces! He envisioned a show about architects and modern architecture for a general audience. Chung balanced broad appeal with a niche topic. Over the past seven years, Chung has brought this new show to fruition, from taking acting classes to learning to pitch stories to getting connected; he has been committed to every step. Chung’s primary message about the show is that it is not meant to be a private conversation among other architects; he hopes to broaden the dialogue and generate conversation.

I had the privilege of attending last week’s screening of the first episode of Cool Spaces!, which features three performance spaces: the Dallas Cowboys Stadium (HKS Architects), the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (Safdie Architects) and the Barclays Center (SHoP Architects). What the show does well is break down these public spaces and look at the process; how did this building come to be, what is the role of site and how the building form evolved.

Each building is featured in its own 15-20 minute segment and Chung spends that time talking to a number of key players in realizing the building; from the owner to the architect to the structural engineer to the acoustician. The subsequent episodes of Cool Spaces! highlight libraries, art spaces and healing spaces. Chung intends to continue filming the series with future themes. The project’s website features longer segments and interviews that didn’t make the final cut for broadcast.

While the Boston PBS affiliates have not yet published when Cool Spaces! will air, it’s worth keeping an eye out for. This project is a tremendous undertaking and is an opportunity to open a dialogue beyond the design community.

To keep track of the projects and its progress, you can follow Stephen Chung on Twitter (@coolspacestv), the project (@coolspaces) and check out your local listings.