First up: two Candela updates. Nothing on the scale of last week’s fantastic news, but every little bit helps round out the story, no? Here are two small images from one of the 1964 World’s Fair Progress Reports, which were issued three times a year in the years leading up to the Fair’s opening, to document plans, ground-breakings, and other ‘Hey, look how fantastically everything is going!’ type news.

We were tipped off that the Queens Museum of Art’s gift shop had some copies of a Progress Report that included some info on the marina, so naturally we sped on over to have a look. A mere two-page spread with no substantial text, but happily, two pictures we haven’t seen before, both of early conceptual models by Peter Schladermundt.

(click on either image above to see it bigger)

The image on the left shows a conceptual model for the structures—probably from quite early in the design process, since it is significantly different than the final structures (a central structural support, and what looks to be only three legs touching down). On the right is a meeting in which Peter Schladermundt (second from right) presents a model to a project manager from his office, a representative of Owens-Corning, and the president of Marinas of the Future, Inc., the client. Both photos are tantalizing hints to the design process.

……………………………………………………………………………..

In other Candela news, the Parks Department sign in front of the Candela Structures is no longer 100% inaccurate—entirely the reverse, as a matter of fact. We took matters into our own hands and updated the sign with a sticker (we’re going to monitor its weathering and modify our materials if needed) that gives credit to Peter Schladermundt, mentions the original glass walls, and gives the original number of pavilions at three. Wshew! So much better to have facts instead of fiction there.

We noticed that at least one other nearby sign (the signs are all over the huge Flushing Meadows Corona Park) has been replaced with a newer sign that includes the outline of the structueres and a label, but no background on either them or any of other points of interest throughout the park. The new signs are colorful, updated, and more accurate, but it’s a little sad they don’t give any information beyond the map itself, and it’s totally terrible that they use that dreadful font. Ick.

Here’s a recent picture she sent us of the structure in situ:

Look—it even has its original glass walls! The family is taking very good care of the pavilion, and was as excited to learn about its history as we were to discover its location. They are searching the family papers to see if they can discover anything more about its acquisition, and we will continue to research any new leads that come up. For now we know they won it in an auction after the 1964–65 World’s Fair ended. More updates as we get them on the Updates page over at the Candela Structures website.

Yay!

I think the Candelas look smashing against the deep green of summer leaves, don’t you?

In other news, the New New York Photography Corps show is still up, and there’s another review here.

For now, though, I’ll just have to be satisfied with some regular ice cream (maybe with the coffee liquor I just made on top…) and a look back at some of the Candela photos at Flickr…

UPDATE:  a few photos from the expedition are now online.

As you can see we got almost no snow in these parts (there’s more salt on the ground than snow), but we did get some frigidosity, and so spending all afternoon outside has revived the cold I thought I had kicked earlier this week. Thus, early to bed for me. Tomorrow night I have to map, edit and upload pix to the Architectural League NNYPC pool, so it will probably be a couple of days before I get back here to tell you the full story. In the mean time, though, you can see some pictures over yonder at Flickr.

For those of you in the vicinity, the City Reliquary is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 6p, and by appointment. Let us know if you’re coming and we’ll meet you there if we can!

Also, tune in to The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC Thursday June 11th (a bit after 11:30 am I think). We’ll be on! (Paul will also be talking about Uni Watch and the I’m Calling it Shea shirt project he’s doing in conjunction with No Mas.) Nervous!

OK, there’s two of them, and they’re not really blue. They look more like this IRL:

(Here’s an entire set of pictures of them.) Have you seen them? Do you know their history?

UPDATE:  another entry about the Candela Structures, and stay tuned for information about the opening of our show in May at the City Reliquary.

I’ll tell you the whole story another time, but Paul and I are doing a project about these lovelies, and we know some things about these structures, we believe some things, and there are a bunch of things we don’t know, but would like to find out. If you know anything in the latter category, I would very much like to hear from you.

And because this week is full of meetings with engineers, drawing sets being issued, and the generally dicey process of documenting existing conditions (i.e. I am tired), I will give you the Reader’s Digest (that is to say bullet point) version for now, herewith:

THINGS WE KNOW

• The structures were built for the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, as part of the “Marina of Tomorrow“
• They are made of reinforced fiberglass
• Only two were ever built, though more were planned originally
• They originally had flat glass walls under the fiberglass canopies
• One held a Coast Guard office/information center, the other an Evinrude/Johnson Motors exhibit/info center
• There is a plaque on site calling them “Candela Structures”
• They look a lot like smaller versions of some of Felix Candela‘s other buildings

THINGS WE THINK ARE TRUE, BUT WE’RE NOT SURE

• The architect of record is architect/industrial designer/inventor Peter Schladermundt
• They were manufactured by Owens-Corning, delivered in pieces, and assembled on site

THINGS WE DON’T KNOW

• Did Felix Candela have any connection with the design of the structures?
• If not, why were they called Candela structures?
• Whose idea were they originally?
• Were any similar small structures built elsewhere?
• Why were only two built for the fair?
• Why did they decide to keep the shells when most of the fair was torn down?

Here are some farmy, summery memories for a wet winter day: pictures from Public Farm 1 (the 2008 installment of PS1′s Young Architect series).  I’ll add some words tomorrow, but for now you can look below (and click to see bigger versions) or head to Flickr for the slide show…