“All the Queens Houses”: Architecture Exhibition on Queens, NYC Explores Identity and Diversity

Mint Green Separated Twins. Woodside, NY. 2016. Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

The Architectural League of New York presents the exhibition All the Queens Houses, the results of an ongoing photographic survey of Spanish-born artist and architect Rafael Herrin-Ferri. The collection features 237 photographs on houses and apartments in Queens, showcasing not only the adaptability of the borough, but also how it reflects an incredible diversity, often noted for being one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse places in the world.

The project originally began in 2012, with over 5,000 photographs taken of at least a third of the borough. Rafael Herrin-Ferri ran a blog where he would post photographs of buildings, apartments, and houses in New York City, but upon noticing that the majority of the photographs were of buildings and residences in Queens, decided to do a more extensive survey of the borough.

Triple-Peak Row with Terraced Garages. Maspeth, NY. 2014 Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

While Queens has an incredibly diverse architectural style, the photography exhibition is based around central themes of identity, diversity, evolution, and adaption. Featuring different photographic subjects, like entryways, gardens, front doors, and porches, the architecture reflects the changes that have happened in the city, and show how residents and homes have adapted and evolved to exist in a condensed urban environment. Similarly, each building reflects the unique and diverse identity of the residents.

Technicolor Tudorized Row. Jamaica, NY. 2017. Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

Splayed Brick-and-Stone Rusticated Entry Porch. Maspeth, NY. 2015. Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

Inverted Green Bay Row. Astoria, NY. 2015. Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

In an interview with Urban Omnibus, Herrin-Ferri said, “I started seeing incredible juxtapositions of different housing types, especially the semi-detached typology where you have two neighbors who apparently started as identical twins then grew apart. Some of these are so radical — one of the most extreme and most comical features a brick wall extending above the two front doors, three different building materials, and four colors between the two units. It sort of looks like Picasso’s Three Musicians.”

“Three Musicians” Semi-detached Residence. Elmhurst, NY. 2014. Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

While the photographs are definitely something to see on their own, their titles add another layer, with names likes, Wedding Cake Condo, and Mint Green Separated Twins. The exhibition opens on October 20. There will be a talk with Rafael Herrin-Ferri in conversation with Joseph Heathcott, followed by a reception on November 9 to celebrate the exhibition.

Wedding Cake Condo. Astoria, NY. 2017. Photograph by Rafael Herrin-Ferri. Image courtesy of the Architectural League of New York.

The exhibition ‘All the Queens Houses’ is on view from October 20 through December 15. Hours are from 2-6PM every Friday, at The Architectural League of New York, 594 Broadway, Suite 607.

The talk and reception with Rafael Herrin-Ferri and Joseph Heathcott will be on November 9, from 7-8:30PM. For more information, please visit The Architectural League, or the artist’s website.

Next, check out the Untapped Cities Guide of Must-Visit Places in Jamaica, Queens and see 11 Abandoned Places to Discover in Queens, NYC.