walkableprinceton

The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced the rules for a design contest to find a possible replacement for the information kiosk that currently stands outside the ‘Garden Theater’ at 160 Nassau Street (map). There are currently two ‘kiosks’ on Nassau Street that serve as information noticeboards. They will be removed as part of an upcoming engineering project to make improvements to the street and sidewalks. At their meeting last week, Princeton Council endorsed the new design contest, which was conceived by local architect Joshua Zinder. Ideas that come out of the competition may be used to install a new, improved information kiosk at the intersection next to the Garden Theater, and potentially at other locations around the town, depending on future decisions by Council.

“Re-design, Re-invent, Re-envision”. That was the title on a poster pinned to an information stand on Nassau St in Princeton earlier this month. In fact, this poster promised something transformative: a design competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects in partnership with the town of Princeton. What could be the subject of this design competition? A new apartment complex? A fire station? An institute for Princeton University? No, it is for none of those things – instead, the contest will focus on *the information stand itself*. Yes, the ‘kiosks’ of Nassau Street are to be offered a makeover, by the nation’s leading architects!