Architecture is at the center of my life—it’s my career and the lens through which I see and experience many things. I choose to believe that architecture and design affect people’s lives, both directly and indirectly. Events of the past few weeks helped shore my belief, as I’ve witnessed the affect that Cincinnati’s design community/arts and designed environment has had on visitors.

Last night, May 10, the CAC celebrated Visionary Jay Chatterjee, who for 19 years served as Dean of UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (locally known as “DAAP” and formerly known as DAA). Jay’s influence has been key to the development of contemporary architecture in Cincinnati and, most notably, on the UC campus, during the past 20+ years. The CAC is one Cincinnati institution that benefited from Jay’s advocacy; he helped bring Zaha Hadid—chosen among a field of six renown architects—to design the center’s‘new’ building, the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, now five years old.

The lobby was overflowing with supporters, which included artists, architects, designers, and UC President Nancy Zimpher, with even a greater cross-section than is normally found at the popular Friday night exhibit openings at the CAC. Architects, in particular, were drawn to the CAC this evening. Yes, they were there to honor our colleague, Jay Chatterjee, but they were also there to honor the fifth anniversary of Hadid’s first and only North American building, and the first and only museum in the world to be designed by a woman. They also came for the exhibits, featuring ‘chairs’ designed by ten world-renown architects (including Hadid). Earlier that week, the Daniel Libeskind show closed, including drawings and photos of several of the architect’s recent work and featuring drawings, models, and photos of the Ascent condominium project now open in Covington.

This event demonstrates and highlights the increased appreciation for and interest in architecture as a contemporary art. The CAC is often at the center of Cincinnati’s eclectic arts community, a place where the mature and established meet the emerging and unknown….all of whom are essential in sustaining a creative—and productive—class of citizens.