Architecture is Art: New York Exhibition Celebrates Drawing as Masterpiece
Martin Cid Magazine
Lisbeth Thalberg - June 25, 2025
A select collection of architectural drawings, gathered by the influential Susan Grant Lewin, unveils the most personal and artistic side of world-renowned architects like Frank Gehry, Aldo Rossi, and Eileen Grey. The show will take place in an iconic New York building.
When an architect draws a line, are they simply designing a building or creating a work of art? A fascinating new exhibition at The Paul Rudolph Institute in New York argues that these two actions are inseparable. Titled Architecture = Art: The Susan Grant Lewin Collection, the show presents architectural drawing not as a mere technical step, but as a powerful form of artistic expression in its own right.
The exhibition features approximately 50 presentation drawings from the personal collection of Susan Grant Lewin, a longtime advocate for contemporary architecture and design. These works, some meticulously hand-drawn and others digitally rendered, will occupy two floors of the landmarked Modulightor Building, designed by the architect Paul Rudolph himself.
More than just technical documents, the drawings are a testament to imagination and the power of persuasion. Among the celebrated architects and designers represented are figures such as Eileen Grey, Daniel Arsham, Frank Gehry, Steven Holl, Aldo Rossi, Michael Graves, James Wines, and John Hejduk. While their work spans multiple generations and ideologies, they all share a deep commitment to drawing as both a communicative tool and an artistic medium.
“These drawings transcend function,” states Lewin. “They are personal, poetic, and often provocative. They show how architecture begins with a bold visual idea.” Lewin’s vision is backed by a distinguished career, having served as the architecture and design editor at publications like HFN and House Beautiful, and as Creative Director at Formica Corporation, where she spearheaded memorable projects like Frank Gehry’s Colorcore fish.
The exhibition is further enriched by a curated selection of photographs from masters like Ezra Stoller, Robin Hill, and Paul Clemence. Far from being simple records of completed buildings, these images are carefully composed works of art that explore the atmosphere, intention, and emotional experience of architectural space. They highlight the crucial role photography plays in shaping our understanding of the built environment.
The event will offer the public a unique opportunity to delve into the creative process behind great architectural works, in a space that is itself a piece of design history.
The exhibition Architecture = Art: The Susan Grant Lewin Collection will open with a reception on July 2, 2025, and will be on view until September 20, 2025. It can be visited at The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture, located in The Modulightor Building at 246 East 58th Street, New York.
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