Author: Justin Pascone

State and local elected officials have been quick to react to the election of Donald Trump and his continuing transition into the White House. Governor Cuomo, an early supporter of Hillary Clinton, vowed to work with Trump while assuring New Yorkers their state would remain a “refuge.” Cuomo expanded in a post declaring: “The State of New York has a proud legacy as the progressive capital of the nation, and that is more important today than ever before. As New Yorkers, we have fundamentally different philosophies than what Donald Trump laid out in his campaign.” Continue reading “Policy Pulse: New York Elected Officials Weigh in on Trump Administration”

On 10.25.16, The Office of the City Clerk issued a favorable advisory opinion to clarify language from the 2013 Lobbying Law impacting architects, design professionals, and engineers. The opinion was prompted after AIANY and other trade organizations requested clarification about whether applications for work permits from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and preceding communication about those permits or other documents that are part of the normal construction process are considered lobbying. Continue reading “Lobby Law Update”

On 10.13.16, the New York City Council unanimously voted on a trio of bills to expand the reach of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan to even more of New York’s buildings. This will extend many of the components of the plan to mid-sized buildings and thus nearly 60% of the city’s built area. Continue reading “City Expands Building Energy Plan”

On Tuesday, 11.08.16, America will vote to elect the next President of the United States. AIA is providing comprehensive, non-partisan information on where the candidates for President stand on key issues in their 2016 Presidential Candidate Profiles. AIA does not endorse candidates but encourages all members to exercise their right to vote. Continue reading “AIA Presidential Candidate Profiles”

Last week’s United Nations General Assembly saw more than 20 world leaders formally binding their governments to the 2015 Paris Agreement, all but ensuring that the climate accord will go into force by the end of the year. In the fight to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and earnestly address global climate change, architects are on the front lines. In the United States, the impact of our current urban design approach is the source of about 70% of GHG emissions. Continue reading “Architects Advocate for Climate Change Action”

On 08.24.16, the Mayor’s Office, along with Urban Green Council and NYU’s Center for Urban Science and Progress, released New York City’s Energy and Water Use 2013 Report, citing an 8% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from 3,000 of the city’s largest buildings between 2010 and 2013. In those same buildings, energy use decreased by 6%. The encouraging report shows where the city is excelling at reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, while also highlighting areas for improvement, including updating heating and lighting systems as well as securing areas around A/C units and windows to stem energy loss. Continue reading “New Energy Report Highlights Architects’ Role”

With nearly 1.4 million adults age 60 and older living in New York City, a number projected to increase by 40% to almost 2 million by 2040, the need for age-friendly residential buildings has never been greater. Architects and the building community play an increasingly important role in ensuring that the city remains a safe place to grow old.

In collaboration with the NYC Department for the Aging, the AIANY Design for Aging Committee released the Aging in Place Guide for Building Owners this past July. A 21-member advisory panel of city agencies, design professionals, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and businesses assisted with the creation of the guide. Continue reading “Aging in Place”