New York Society for Ethical Culture

 museum, religion, Art Nouveau / Jugendstil (architecture), 1910_construction

5-story Art-Nouveau clubhouse building completed in 1910. Designed by Robert D. Kohn for the New York Society of Ethical Culture, it followed the school building adjoining it on the south side (The Ethical School), which opened in 1904, and was also designed by Kohn.

The New York Society for Ethical Culture was founded in 1877 as a modern religious movement which would work toward universal social justice for all. Dr. Felix Adler, the movement's guiding force, urged that the movement further the principles of ethics through education and that members express their religious consciences in moral and humane actions.

Kohn was a pioneer in his use of the Art-Nouveau style for this building. The limestone structure is situated so that the entrance facade fronts 64th Street. It is strikingly accented by a triple-window grouping with lights the auditorium. Each bay consists of a tall round-arched window set above three smaller window openings. The large arched windows are double-height and have lovely Art-Nouveau glass patterns with black metal mullions. Two windows flanked by short, round Doric columns are set above each large window. At this level each window group is flanked by shallow niches intended to hold sculptured figures of "Servants of Humanity" set on large corbels. Set below the center bay is the main entrance crowned by a pedimented panel with a group of sculptured figures by Estelle Rumbold Kohn, the architect's wife. The entrance has two sets of wooden double-doors atop a set of steps, each with a panel of leaded glass and a transom above. Two projecting flagpoles are mounted just above and outside the panel of figures. On either side of the entrance, below the outer bays of windows above, there is a small, square opening with a metal grille.

The end bays of this facade have secondary entrances atop narrower steps, each with a wooden double-door similar to those in the main entrance. The surrounds of both of these entrances are peaked at the center and have Art-Nouveau light fixtures on the sides. Above these are a single-window at the 2nd floor, and another single-window near the tops of the large arched windows. The main portion of the facade terminates in a massive dentiled cornice crowned by a low balustrade. The upper portion of the wall with three window openings terminates in a shallow pediment-like parapet.

The facade on Central Park West is very similar to that on 64th Street and such decorative features as the rolled molding at the base and the cornice are carefully placed so as to harmonize with the school building to the south. This facade was planned with a blind wall to shut out "annoying and confusing" side light and street car noise from the auditorium. Three large paneled sections terminating in window groups flanked by columns and niches, like those on the 64th Street facade, add interest to this side of the building near the top. The cornice and upper wall section are continued from the 64th Street side. The upper windows on both sides open onto smaller rooms above the auditorium.

www.nysec.org/