Author: AIA New York Chapter

In this issue:
• From the Desk of the President: Superstorm Sandy Update
• e-Calendar

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From the Desk of the President: Superstorm Sandy Update
Joseph J. Aliotta, AIA, LEED AP
I would like to use this opportunity to update you on our activities in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. First, for those of you who have been hard-hit by this disaster, know that you are in our thoughts and I hope that everyone has resumed normal life with minimal disruption. I am pleased to report that our staff remained safe and the Center for Architecture was largely unaffected, aside from the power outage that occurred throughout lower Manhattan.

Despite that and the inability to operate out of the Center, AIANY staff and membership were able to mobilize a tremendous effort. In a true members-helping-members endeavor, the staff and volunteers put out more than 700 phone calls to members in zone A to offer assistance in finding temporary office space and access to other resources.

The Chapter issued a call to action to help City agencies assess damage to the nearly 35,000 buildings impacted by Sandy. Within hours, hundreds of AIA members volunteered their services. To contribute further, the Chapter, in conjunction with the Center for Architecture Foundation, raised money for the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City by hosting a forum at the Center. “Designing the City after Superstorm Sandy” was an informative panel moderated by New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman that brought to light many imaginative and resourceful ideas regarding disaster relief and resilient design.

This last week, the Chapter’s Executive Committee and Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee Co-Chairs Lance Brown, FAIA, and Illya Azaroff, AIA, took the first step in an initiative to develop short- and long-term recommendations to City agencies. Our hope is these ideas will lead to a more resilient city in light of climate change, sea level rise, and other natural and man-made phenomena in the century ahead. Our main objective is to promote new information to the public and private sector in areas such as codes and zoning, infrastructure, the waterfront, and housing. AIANY Committee Co-Chairs will be reaching out to their members and professional colleagues in sister organizations to discuss this in greater detail. The Chapter will provide updates and opportunities to participate on its website, through eBlasts, and of course, by making all space at the Center for Architecture available.

New York City has come a long way since the disaster, but there is much more work to be done. I would like to thank our membership for donating their valuable time and all the other resources that have been committed to helping the recovery effort.

If you have questions or comments on our recovery efforts or to find out how you can be involved with a particular committee, please be in touch with Jay B. Bond, Policy Director, jbond@aiany.org, at the AIA New York Chapter.

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eCALENDAR
eCalendar includes an interactive listing of architectural events around NYC. Click the link to go to to eCalendar on the Web.