Category: AIANY – Message From the Executive Director

As we learn more about Hurricane Harvey’s devastating effects on Houston and beyond, AIANY members and our extended community may wonder what they can do to help.

Throughout the storm and in the aftermath, we were in touch with our colleagues at AIA Houston. Sadly, we found out that Hurricane Harvey delivered more than four feet of water and almost total devastation to the Architecture Center Houston, a new space under construction in the historic B.A. Riesner Building in the city’s downtown. The project, led by Houston-based practice Murphy Mears Architects, was just three weeks from completion when the storm hit. Unfortunately, flood mitigation systems had not yet been fully installed. Continue reading “Help the Architecture Center Houston”

Autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has the potential to create seismic shifts in not only how we transport people and goods, but the basic underpinnings of our society, culture, and economic structure. The combination of autonomous vehicles and connected technologies promises to make streets safer, reduce energy consumption, decrease congestion, and create dramatic changes in where people live, work, and play. Continue reading “Are We Ready for Autonomous Vehicles?”

Scores of AIA New York Chapter members joined me at my first AIA National Convention in Philadelphia. We were well represented by our speakers, board members, committee chairs, and many other members who participated in networking, information exchange, high-level workshops, and upwards of 35 daily tours. AIANY was especially proud to see 18 members inducted to the AIA College of Fellows at the annual Investiture Ceremony at the University of Pennsylvania’s Irvine Auditorium. Continue reading “Dispatch from the 2016 AIA National Convention: Phil-AIA-delphia”

The 2016 Architects in Albany Advocacy Day was on 05.03.16. AIA representatives from across New York State came together to meet with State Senators and Assemblymembers to advocate for some of the most pressing issues facing the architecture profession. Combined, the statewide group of chapter members and staff met with 76 legislators and their staffs (more than one-third of the Legislature) to inform them on how their decisions can impact architects and the profession. We were also able to use this as an opportunity to ask legislators about their interests and those of their constituents, and to offer insights into how architects can advance their causes. Continue reading “Advocating for Architects in Albany”

Towards the end of my first month on the job I had the pleasure of attending the AIA Grassroots Leadership Event in Detroit. Geared towards the leaders of AIA components from across the nation, I started to more comprehensively understand the diverse concerns that motivate the wide range of AIA chapters. Continue reading “Establishing Roots at Grass Roots”

On 02.03.15, Mayor Bill de Blasio outlined his take on the State of New York City after his first year in office. The program started with a timeline of achievements, such as the May 2014 announcement of the goal of 200,000 affordable housing units, and the pledge of a $210.5 million effort to reduce crime citywide, including at New York City Housing Authority sites. Along with housing, the Mayor noted that his primary goal was education, saying that there were now 53,000 kids in pre-Kindergarten classes as of this past September. He also reiterated his September pledge of 80% carbon reduction by the year 2050. The overview concluded with the refrain: “Together we’ve accomplished a lot, and we’re just beginning.” Continue reading “Statement of the City”