New at the New School: The Sheila C. Johnson Design Center

We promise to expand on our coverage of last night’s Saatchi & Saatchi awards bash (did we mention Lou Reed was there?), but first, the big news we teased you about yesterday. Our references to a parsons table, Tim Gunn, and BET were hinting at the impressive new design center at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. The new campus center, which rather mind-bogglingly combines the ground level of four historic buildings on the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 13th Street, was made possible by a $7 million donation from Sheila C. Johnson (founding partner of Black Entertainment Television and now CEO of Salamander Hospitality). The building’s galleries open to the public today, but we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the 32,800-square-foot space and the chance to chat with its designer, architect Lyn Rice. After the jump, check out the “urban quad,” the Kellen auditorium, and a seminar room we wouldn’t mind living in.

Urban Quad (photo: Noah Sheldon)

Urban Quad, 13th Street Facade (photo: Noah Sheldon)

Urban Quad (photo: Noah Sheldon)

Kellen Auditorium (photo: Noah Sheldon)

Seminar Room (photo: Stephanie Murg)

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