Presenter
Presenter
Mr. Forth Bagley
Principal Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (International) PA
Forth Bagley, AIA NCARB Yale University, BA + Yale School of Architecture, M-Arch Since joining KPF in 2005, Forth has led the design and management of some of the most impactful urban projects in the world. He brings a programmatic emphasis to every project he leads, utilizing a communicative, collaborative, and engaged approach. Forth has a particular interest in issues of density, the intersection of public and private space, and the intricate programmatic relationships within the contemporary city. His experience across sectors, from boutique residential and hospitality complexes to headquarters and commercial projects, is focused on the successful realization of complex, mixed-use lifestyle districts and developments. As the leader of a number of KPF’s most significant works, including the retail and master planning of Hudson Yards in New York, the continuous development of Hong Kong’s Landmark and Victoria Dockside districts, and the massive new Changi Terminal 5 in Singapore, Forth is an expert at assembling and leading large teams of architects and consultants to deliver complicated city-defining projects. Other mixed-use projects include Shanghai’s DreamCenter district, One Bangkok in Thailand and large masterplans in Santa Clara and San Jose, California. His residential projects in California, Texas, Florida, Washington DC and New York, and his luxury hotel projects around the world are guided by his appreciation of mixed-use program as the driving force of the contemporary global city. Forth is a frequent speaker for organizations and conferences such as ULI, MIPIM, New York’s Urban Design Forum and CTBUH, sharing his expertise and passion for architecture that enhances the vitality of its city. He co-edited Perspecta 38 through the Yale School of Architecture, where he is a frequent guest critic and where he has twice taught as the Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor. He has lectured at Yale a
Speaking at
Wed Apr 10
2:30 PM — 3:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
New York Hilton Midtown - Level 2, Sutton South
From Central Business Districts to Central Social Districts: Transforming America’s Downtowns to Save Them
Current challenges to America's office sector need not spell the death of the American city. In fact, urban office buildings and their surrounding downtowns have a distinct advantage over suburban or nonurban developments. Data suggest that while American office workers prefer the flexibility of work-from-home or hybrid work arrangements, they are still flocking to cities to recreate. This change began even before COVID, as miles of waterfront from Pittsburgh to New York were rejuvenated and activated with retail, restaurant, park, and residential uses. These well-programmed, lifestyle-focused urban developments have proven to be attractive alternatives to an increasingly online world and magnets for investment and urban innovation.
The office sector's headwinds are an opportunity to rethink America's downtowns by transforming single-use, commuter-focused blocks of office buildings into places where people want to spend their leisure time—replacing central business districts with central social districts. By thinking of our downtowns as homes for social activity, we can expand the realm of what's possible and fill city centers with activity, life, and commerce.
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