January 29th, 2026
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center
3002 Foster Ave, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Weston Walker (he/him) is a Design Principal and the Partner in Charge of Studio Gang’s San Francisco office. Prior to relocating to California, Wes established the Studio’s New York office in 2013, guiding its growth for over a decade to a team of 40 while developing a diverse portfolio of cultural, residential, and civic projects across the city and the Americas. Wes served as design principal for the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History, which the Wall Street Journal deemed “a rhapsody of flowing structure.” Further projects completed under his leadership include Verde, a mixed-use residential tower in San Francisco, Solar Carve, an office tower adjacent to the High Line, and Rescue Company 2, a fire station in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He is currently leading concept design for a new higher-education project in Southern California. Wes’ additional work includes design leadership for the David Rubenstein Treehouse in Boston, Harvard University’s first building with a mass timber structure, the first permanent home for Hudson Valley Shakespeare in Garrison, New York, and a new U.S. Embassy in Brasília. Wes is a graduate of Yale University, where he received his Master of Architecture and was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Medal. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Cornell University, graduating summa cum laude for his thesis work exploring systems of perception and meaning in both musical and architectural spaces. A frequent lecturer, Wes has spoken at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, the Boston Society for Architecture, and the Cooper Union with the Architectural League of New York. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Urban Design Forum—using his platform and portfolio of work to continually advocate for ways to use architecture to realize measurable positive change in the world.
Join us for a preview and tour of the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center with Studio Gang.
Later this year, East Flatbush will welcome the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center – the first new city-built recreation center in eight years. Named for the Brooklyn-born trailblazer who became the first Black woman to serve in Congress and the first Black woman to seek the presidency, the center carries forward her legacy as a catalyst for civic life. Serving Central Brooklyn, the facility designed by Studio Gang, with construction led by Consigli, offers a vibrant community hub with recreational resources and spaces including a gymnasium, indoor pool, walking track, media lab, teaching kitchen, and flexible rooms for fitness, learning, and gathering.
Forum members will be joined by Wes Walker, Design Principal and Partner at Studio Gang, for a preview of the recreation center ahead of its official opening.
How can civic infrastructure become a living tribute to the people and histories that shaped our communities?
Guest & Accessibility Policies
Urban Design Forum promotes conversations between invited civic leaders, designers, developers, and advocates. This event is open to Forum Members only.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
- This event is a tour and requires walking.
- If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. Face masks are encouraged, particularly if you have been recently exposed to colds, flus, or other illness. If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, a high-quality, well-fitting face covering is required at all times.
- Please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to accommodate guests with allergies or environmental sensitivities.
- If you have additional needs, we will do our best to accommodate. Please contact rsvp@urbandesignforum.org.
Continuing Education
This event has been submitted for AIA CES LUs.
About Public Works
Public Works is program that drives civic dialogue around new and forthcoming built environment projects and policies in New York City. Throughout the year, we invite government officials and private sector leaders to present design and development initiatives that shape the public good.
Support Our Work
Public Works is made possible through the support of our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, Company Members, and our Campaign for Courageous Leadership, and company and individual members. Our programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about supporting Public Works, please contact Miranda Bellizia, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
Photo Credit: Image by Studio Gang (c) New York City Department of Design and Construction
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