Archinect - News

Greg Switzer is inaugurated as the AIANY’s first Black president

2024-01-03T16:30:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects' New York Chapter (AIANY) recently welcomed its new leadership team for the year 2024 via a special ceremony that also saw the inauguration of architect Greg Switzer as the first-ever Black president in the organization’s 167-year history.

Switzer will be actively engaging with the organizational theme Belonging and Beyond, which encourages the development of a human-centric approach to designing for better social cohesion and physical health in the built environment.

The AIA shares: “The 2024 AIANY presidential theme, 'Belonging and Beyond,' centers on a crucial aspect of human well-being that improves physical and social-emotional health and resilience for individuals and communities. 'Belonging' refers to a deep connection with social groups, physical places, and individual and collective experiences. This year’s theme calls for us to be intentional about inclusion by listening and workshopping ideas worth advocating for and amplifying. 'Belon...

Jesse Lazar announced as new permanent AIA New York and Center for Architecture Executive Director

2023-09-26T16:59:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects New York (AIANY) and the Center for Architecture (CFA) have just announced the appointment of Jesse Lazar as the new permanent Executive Director of both organizations, filling a void left by Benjamin Prosky after his departure this February.

Lazar had been serving in an Interim Executive Director role since that time and comes to the position with experience as the CFA's Development Director between 2014 and 2016. He has been instrumental in fundraising more than $20 million for both organizations since that time while also working to establish AIANY’s 2030 Fund, CFA Lab program, and other initiatives. Lazar also has previous experience with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and received his MBA from the University of Michigan in 2012.

“I’ve worked with Jesse Lazar on and off at the Center for Architecture since 2008,” AIA New York’s 2023 President Matthew Bremer said in a statement. “I also have the mindset that instit...

New York’s School Construction Authority is preparing for a school building boom

2023-08-25T17:41:00-04:00

The body in charge of K-12 planning and construction in New York City was recently profiled by the AIA New York as it prepares for a surge in student enrollment that’s expected over the next decade.

The New York School Construction Authority (or SCA) is a specialty city agency that employs 1,100 people and is tasked with the delivery and maintenance of school buildings in the New York City Public Schools arsenal, a charge which makes it directly responsible for the well-being, safety, and learning environments of more than 1.1 million students.

With a staff that currently includes 170 architects, Stephen Zacks for the AIANY writes the SCA has a unique talent when it comes to the delivery of high-quality structures within challenging construction schedules and have become national examples of the implementation of efficient project management at...

New York's Center for Architecture announces new leadership and chair

2022-07-29T17:19:00-04:00

One of the New York area’s most influential architectural institutions is getting new leadership after the AIANY's Center for Architecture announced its new board of directors positions on Friday.

The Center announced Sage and Coombe founding partner Jennifer Sage as the institution’s new chair, and Cornell University professor Peter Robinson as its new vice chair, in replacement of Columbia University’s Barry Bergdoll, who served in the position until June 30th. Marc Norman, a 2015 Harvard Loeb Fellow and the new director at NYU's Schack Institute of Real Estate, is joining the board as a trustee as well.

A graduate of Harvard College and the Yale SoA, Sage has enjoyed a strong tenure with the organization thus far. After joining the AIANY Board of Directors in 2013 as a Director, she went on to serve as Vice President of Design Excellence from 2016 to 2018 before finally joining the Center for Architecture Board in 2019. Through the work of her firm, she has been involved in majo...

Archtober Returns for its Tenth Year, Celebrating Design and New York City via Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Festival

2020-09-23T15:23:00-04:00

This post is sponsored by Archtober 2020

Archtober, a month-long celebration of architecture and design, returns this year as a hybrid virtual and in-person festival to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Organized by the Center for Architecture in collaboration with 70 partners and sponsors, the 2020 installment of the festival gathers events, exhibitions, resources, and activities that highlight the importance of architecture and design, even during the most challenging of times.

“New York City and New Yorkers have shown their resiliency through the pandemic and resulting financial crisis, said Benjamin Prosky, Assoc. AIA, Executive Director of AIA New York and the Center for Architecture. “We are proud to have an opportunity to celebrate the incredible strength of our city and its built environment, and the institutions large and small that contribute to its rich and vibrant cultural landscape.”

Domino Sugar Refinery. Courtesy Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU)

As Archt...

Archtober is coming! Here's what you need to know

2019-09-25T15:30:00-04:00

New York City's month-long architecture and design festival is upon us! Starting on October 1st, the city will be buzzing with a long list of design activities and events for the public to enjoy.

In its ninth year, the annual festival is a celebration organized by the Center for Architecture with over 80 collaborating partners and sponsors. In addition to lectures, film screenings, and design workshops, Archtober has launched a new initiative with three influential public library systems - Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library.

Image courtesy of Archtober.

Benjamin Prosky, Assoc. AIA, who is the Executive Director of AIA New York and the Center for Architecture, shares in a statement, "Archtober looks forward to showcasing the work of more of our collaborators than ever before! We are excited for our growing network of partners, both institutional and professional, to be bolstered by the addition of NYC's library systems, allowing us to reach a...

AIANY revoke 2018 Design Awards from Richard Meier and Peter Marino

2018-03-23T02:35:00-04:00

... given allegations of inappropriate and unacceptable behavior by two AIANY 2018 Design Award Recipients—Richard Meier and Peter Marino—the AIANY Board of Directors has made the decision to rescind the honors that were announced in January 2018 and were to be celebrated at the Honors and Awards Luncheon next month.

AIANY executive director Benjamin Prosky issued a statement on their decision to revoke Design Awards from Richard Meier and Peter Marino. Prosky states, “Our decision does not speak to the design quality of the projects or the contributions from the respective firms’ design teams, rather we cannot in good conscience confer these awards under these circumstances.”

The full statement by AIANY can be read here.

AIA New York announces 2017 Design Awards winners

2017-03-07T17:54:00-05:00

Every year, the AIA New York Design Awards recognize the exceptional work of its members, locally practicing architects, and New York-based projects. From large-scale urban interventions to temporary installations, this year's winning projects — which were granted either an Honor or Merit — were judged on design quality, response to its context and community, program resolution, innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.

Here are a few of this year's winners:

Architecture Category - Honor: Steven Holl Architects for University of Iowa Visual Arts Building

Photo © Iwan Baan

Architecture Category - Merit: Deborah Berke Partners for Cummins Indy Distribution Headquarters

Photo courtesy 2017 AIANY Design Awards.

Interiors Category - Honor: Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture for Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center.

Photo © Amy Barkow | barkow photo.

Projects Category - Honor: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism for Penn Palimpsest.

Image © Practice for Architecture and Urbanism.

Projects Category - Merit: StudioKCA for NASA Orbit Pavilion.

Photo © Chuck Choi

Urban Design Category - Merit: Studio V Architecture for Maker Park.

Image © Studio V Architecture.

(cover) Architecture Category: Best in Competition + Honor: D...

Get Lectured: AIANY New Practices New York 2016

2016-03-21T13:06:00-04:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Winter/Spring 2016

Archinect's Get Lectured is back in session. Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

The next poster features the AIANY New Practices New York Award lecture series, which starts this Wednesday. The 2016 winners will be in conversation with each other. See who's paired up with who right below.

Mar 23
Studio Cadena & SO-IL

Mar 30
Taller KEN & Michael Caton

Apr 6
MODU & estudio Herreros

Apr 20
Young Projects & ARO

Apr 27
Schaum/Shieh & TBA

May 4
stpmj & nARCHITECTS

May 12
New Practices New York 2016 Exhibition Opening

Lectures take place at 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Cosentino Showroom A&D Building. All events are free, but RSVP is required.

Check out ...

David Burney named interim Executive Director of AIANY and Center for Architecture

2015-04-03T18:50:00-04:00

While the search for a permanent director continues, David Burney, FAIA, will serve as interim Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture, taking the place of former director Rick Bell FAIA.

Burney currently serves as an Associate Professor of Planning and Placemaking at the Pratt Institute's School of Architecture, as well as the Board Chair for the Center for Active Design. Previously, he was Commissioner of the City's Department of Design and Construction (2004-2014).

The complete press release from AIA NY is as follows:

New York, NY (April 3, 2015)—The American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) and the Center for Architecture today named David Burney, FAIA, interim Executive
Director. Burney, an architect, urbanist, educator, and former Commissioner of the City’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC), will serve in the post until the organization hires a permanent Executive Director.

Burney is credi...

AIANY Executive Director Rick Bell resigns

2015-03-27T14:13:00-04:00

The AIA New York chapter released a brief statement today announcing the immediate resignation of Executive Director Rick Bell:

“AIANY and Center for Architecture Executive Director Rick Bell has offered, and the organization’s Board of Directors has accepted, his immediate resignation. An interim Executive Director will be named next week and a search to find a new Executive Director will also begin at that time.”

Bell became executive director in 2001 and helped found the Center for Architecture on LaGuardia Place in 2003. He is regarded as having an influential role in raising the architectural community's involvement on policy issues like affordable housing, accessibility, sustainability, and waterfront use. He was also heavily involved in post-disaster programs like New York New Visions, a design and urban planning coalition that prepares recommendations for rebuilding Lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks.

“Queensway Connection” competition exhibition to open July 17 in NYC

2014-07-07T20:09:00-04:00

Earlier this year, the AIANY Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) Committee revealed the winners of its biennial design ideas competition QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm (previously on Archinect). Now the public is invited to take a closer look at the winning entries at the upcoming competition exhibition opening on Thursday July 17 at 6:00 PM at New York's Center for Architecture.

The exhibition is accompanied by a symposium hosted by ENYA at the CFA on Saturday, July 19 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM to highlight the winning entries’ visions for future development of the site and neighborhood.

ENYA Prize, $5000: The Queensway Steps by Carrie Wilbert and Eleonore Levieux of Paris, France

2nd Prize, $2500: Queens Billboard by Nikolay Martynov of Basel, Switzerland

3rd Prize, $1000: Make It! Grow It! by Song Deng and Rene Biberstein of Toronto, Canada

Student Prize, $1000: EBB & Flow by Jessica Shoemaker, Paul Crespo and Jessica Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Honorable Menti...

AIA New York fires back at RIBA over proposed boycott of Israeli Association of United Architects

2014-05-09T14:17:00-04:00

Earlier this spring, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) passed a motion that demanded the suspension of the Israeli Association of United Architects from the International Union of Architects "until it acts to resist projects on illegally-occupied land and observes international law and accords."

This morning, the AIA New York Chapter published a statement denouncing the RIBA resolution, declaring "AIANY does not condone RIBA’s decision to request action based solely on disagreements over local Israeli policies."

Here's AIANY's full statement:

"The AIA New York Chapter (AIANY) has denounced the proposal submitted by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to suspend the Israeli Association of United Architects (IAUA) from the International Union of Architects (UIA).

On May 1, 2014, AIANY wrote to Harry Rich, Chief Executive of RIBA. In the letter, AIANY asks the RIBA Board to overrule its advisory council’s recent proposal to UIA that would seek to exclude IAUA’s ...

AIANY ENYA reveals winning ideas for QueensWay Connection competition

2014-02-17T13:57:00-05:00

Plans for building a new QueensWay are moving forward. The AIANY Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) Committee revealed the winners of QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm. The biennial competition brought in ideas from around the globe on how to transform an abandoned railway into an urban greenway as a community space for nearby neighborhoods in Queens, New York.

Out of 120 proposals from 28 countries, the jury selected the following winners:

ENYA Prize, US$5,000: The Queensway Steps by Carrie Wilbert (Paris, France)

2nd Prize, US$2,500: Queens Billboard by Nikolay Martynov (Basel, Switzerland)

3rd Prize, US$1,000: Make It! Grow It! by Song Deng (Toronto, Canada)

Student Prize, US$1000: EBB & Flow by Jessica Shoemaker (Albuquerque, NM, USA)

Honorable Mention: Upside Down Bridge by Hyuntek Yoon (Queens, NY, USA)

For more details, head over to Bustler.

Six winners for the 2014 New Practices New York competition

2014-01-31T15:28:00-05:00

The AIANY New Practices Committee officially announced the winners of the 2014 New Practices New York competition at the Center for Architecture in New York this week. The portfolio competition acknowledges young architecture and design firms and promotes their innovative work. Qualified firms had to be founded no earlier than 2004 and be based in New York City's five boroughs.

Out of 64 entries, the jury selected six winners:

Pictured project above: NAMELESS Architecture

Bittertang

dlandstudio architecture + landscape

Fake Industries Architectural Agonism

form-ula

PARA-Project

Find out more about each winner on Bustler.

Images courtesy of the 2014 New Practices New York competition.

Submit your proposal to the AIANY ENYA “Queensway Connection” competition by January 2014

2013-11-14T12:36:00-05:00

"Queensway Connection: Elevating the Public Realm," the sixth biennial competition from the AIANY's Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) committee is open for submissions until January 6th, 2014.

The competition will support the feasibility study — currently being conducted by WXY Architecture + Urban Design and dlandstudio — as part of the process to transform the abandoned railway into a recreational area for the surrounding communities in central and southern Queens.

"Queensway Connection" welcomes all design student and young professionals — not limited to architects, artists, engineers, landscape architects, urban designers and planners — to submit their ideas.

After the submissions deadline, the Jury will deliberate in February. Winners will be announced in March 2014.

The Jury:

Susan Chin, FAIA, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space.
Margaret Newman, FAIA, LEED AP, Chief of Staff to Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan at New York City Department ...

AIANY to host “Archinomics” discussion on Nov. 21

2013-11-13T15:26:00-05:00

Join the discussion on Archinomics: Effects of Predicted Global Economic Growth on the Architecture Profession on Thursday evening, Nov. 21 at The Center for Architecture in New York City.

Hosted by the AIANY Global Dialogues Committee, the two-hour discussion examines which countries are expected to experience the most economic growth and its effects on architectural global practice by the year 2020 and beyond. The event invites all architects, developers, and economists to share their opinions.

Attendants will get to engage on this pressing topic with featured speakers that include:

Joseph Brancato, AIA, Managing Principal, Gensler Architects
Giles Wrench, Managing Director international Desk, Jones Lang Lasalle
Jesse M Keenan, Research Director, Center for Urban Real Estate, Columbia University
Patrice A. Derrington, Chair, Global Real Estate Development Program, NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate

Archinomics is related to the exhibition Practical Global U...

2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Awards: Urban Design Winners

2013-03-12T19:05:00-04:00

To conclude our mini-showcasing of the 2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Award winners, here are now the two Honor and five Merit award winners in the category Urban Design selected by the jurors David Coomes, Kathryn Gustafson, PLA, ASLA, Hon. FRIBA, and Alex Krieger, FAIA.

2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Awards: Projects Winners

2013-03-12T19:00:00-04:00

In our previous posts, we have published the winners of the 2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Awards in the categories Architecture and Interiors. Here are now the eight award winners in the Projects category selected by the jurors Michelle Addington, Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Eric Höweler, AIA, LEEP AP.

Submitted projects had to be completed by architects/designers practicing in New York, or be New York projects designed by architects/designers based elsewhere.

All winning work will be exhibited in the Design Awards exhibition at the Center for Architecture beginning April 18, with an opening reception from 6-8pm. The exhibition will remain on view through May 31. Exhibition design by Kokoro & Moi.

Projects Honor Awards Winner: Kápolna Madaras in Madaras, Harghita, Romania by Christopher Johnson Architect with Ramona Albert (Image Credit: C.Johnson/R.Albert)

Projects Merit Award Winners: Webb Chapel Park Pavilion in Dallas, TX by Cooper Joseph Studio (Image Credit: ...

2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Awards: Interiors Winners

2013-03-12T18:56:00-04:00

Here are now the two Honor and four Merit award winners in the Interiors category selected by the jurors Amanda Levete, Andrew Wells, FAIA, LEEP AP, and Clive Wilkinson, FAIA, RIBA.

2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Awards: Architecture Winners

2013-03-12T18:51:00-04:00

The 2013 AIA New York Chapter Design Award winners have been unveiled, honoring 42 outstanding projects in the four award categories, Architecture, Interiors, Projects, and Urban Design. [...] All winning work will be exhibited in the Design Awards exhibition at the Center for Architecture beginning April 18, with an opening reception from 6-8pm. The exhibition will remain on view through May 31.

A different view of the NY waterfront

2012-09-18T22:57:00-04:00

It’s an eye-opening experience. I have lived in New York for more than 30 years. I have crossed the harbor on the Staten Island Ferry more than once and crossed the big-name bridges hundreds of times. But great swaths of the city remain as unknown to me as Patagonia. The architecture cruise helped fix that.

William Grimes reports back from a recent architectural cruise around Manhattan. The cruise organized by the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, features running commentary provided by experts and offers an easy opportunity to anyone wanting to get a good look at the complete skyline. The tour covers 156 site and a 32-mile journey in under 3 hours.