Author: Emma Pattiz

Hospitals primarily treat the sick, responding to patients with chronic illnesses. But what if they instead operated to prevent disease in the communities they serve? Hospitals have the potential to positively impact neighborhoods through healthier design and development practices, shifting their focus to preventing disease and promoting health among patients, staff, visitors, and entire communities. Continue reading “Promoting Healthy Living from the Nexus of Healing”

AIANY collaborated with the Public Design Commission of the City of New York on the second event in a series of panels discussing the role of design in bringing equity to the public realm. On 09.16.15, “Equity and Urban Development” brought together architects, developers, and representatives of city government and non-profit organizations who share a common vision. Continue reading “Equity and Urban Development”

In preparation for the 09.09.15 hearing on Intro. 775, AIANY and the four other AIA chapters in NYC distributed a response memo to City Council members last week. Intro. 775 would establish a maximum period of time for the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to take action on any item calendared for consideration of landmark status. The bill was created to address the issues of transparency and consistency at LPC, but it also establishes a moratorium on designations for projects that fail to meet the tight deadlines, which could threaten the effectiveness of LPC. Continue reading “Landmarks of Change”

In April, City Council members brought forward Intro. 775, a Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, establishing a maximum period of time for the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to take action on items calendared for consideration of landmark status. The bill was created to address the issues of transparency and consistency at LPC, but it also establishes a moratorium on designations for projects that fail to meet the tight deadlines. Continue reading “LPC Reform: Improving Important Processes”

This summer, AIANY leadership is meeting with a number of New York City Council Members who represent a variety of neighborhoods and interests. The summer tour kicked off last week with meetings with Council Member Margaret Chin, chair of the Committee on Aging, and Council Member Jumaane Williams, chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings. In addition to offering the expertise of our members in assisting the Council Members to advance their initiatives, we educate them on our political priorities that are coming to the Council floor in the coming months. Continue reading “Meet, Greet and Solve Problems: Meetings with City Council Members”

AIA members across the country are urging their Senators to oppose the proposal to repeal the Federal 2030 targets in the upcoming energy-efficiency package that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is assembling. Repealing energy-saving targets for federal buildings would set back ongoing efforts to save energy and reduce carbon emissions while also saving taxpayer money. Continue reading “Advocacy in Action: Building a Case for Energy Efficient Buildings”

Since first releasing the Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) proposal in February, the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) has received input from community organizations, elected officials, architects, developers, and other crucial stakeholders. After collecting comments, DCP rereleased the proposal in May, and began meeting with all of NYC’s Community Boards. Now, DCP is gearing up for the public review process this fall. AIANY supports the proposal, and is at work educating the design community and general public about how the changes will lead to better buildings and more affordable housing. We are collaborating with architects in all five boroughs to advocate for the proposal. Continue reading “Zoning Proposal Progresses”

The Public Design Commission of the City of New York (PDC) and the AIANY Public Architecture Committee hosted Design and Equity: The Community Parks Initiative, the first in a series of programs about the role of design equity in the public realm, on 06.17.15. According to the panelists, parks are not just playgrounds. They should be dynamic outdoor community centers. Under the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) is actively investing in underserved public parks in neighborhoods in all five boroughs desperately in need of public space. Continue reading “Equity in Process and Design: The Community Parks Initiative”

On 05.14.15, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) announced plans to embark on a comprehensive reform to the agency’s systems and staff. The updates, which will impact the lives of all New Yorkers, include public safety enhancements, streamlined processes, efficient oversight, and better customer service. A reformed DOB aligns with Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC sustainable development plans, and will assist in meeting the administration’s affordable housing goals. Continue reading “A New Age for DOB: Architects to Benefit”

On 04.28.15, representatives from AIANY headed up to Albany for the annual AIA New York State Architects in Albany Lobby Day. Joined by architects from throughout the state, AIANY advocated for a number of bills currently making their way through the legislature. AIANY supports the Emergency Responder Act and Due Process for Design Professionals, two of the most important items that were on the table.

Continue reading “Advocacy in Albany: AIANY Takes on the New York State Legislature”