by: Margaret Castillo AIA LEED AP
(Continued from above)
Waterfront Initiative
As architects, our goal is to create a better place to live. Over the summer, the design communities of two “water cities,” New York and Amsterdam, will take on the challenge by addressing how we live on the water and how waterfront cities can think more comprehensively about quality of life issues. Together the Center for Architecture and ARCAM (the Amsterdam Achitectuur Centrum) will create an exhibition and cultural exchange, providing a glimpse into the future of what a sustainable, livable waterfront city might look like. We see major opportunities for Chapter committees and individual members to bring their expertise to this developing initiative.
Buildings = Energy
In October 2011, the year’s theme will culminate with a major exhibition, “Buildings = Energy.” Using full-scale installations, models, and interactive diagrams, “Buildings = Energy” will educate the public and design professionals about measures undertaken by architects, engineers, elected officials, and civic activists that aim to improve building performance and the environment. These include: energy code compliance, embodied energy analysis in resource selection, the benchmarking of buildings, use of renewable energy systems, methods of energy harvesting, and lifecycle cost and operations management. Through the presentation of these topics the exhibition will inform the public about critical choices made during the building process and provide a means and motivation for architects to design for a change.
2011 Inaugural Fund
All of these initiatives are possible because of contributions to the Inaugural Fund. In prior years the Inaugural Fund has supported major exhibitions such as “Going Public” in 2006 and “Architecture Inside/Out” in 2007; additional theme-related programs like last year’s Design Literacy for All conference; and unique projects like the Liquid Wall curtain wall prototype. We could never achieve the work we do at the Center without the generous support of the Inaugural Fund sponsors.
To date for 2011 we would like to acknowledge: Lead Sponsors: Arup and Buro Happold; Sponsor: Mechoshade; Supporters: Acheson Doyle Partners Architects, P.C.; the DeLaCour Family Foundation; KPF; and Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.; Friends: Brenda Levin; Capsys Corp.; Community Environmental Center, Inc.; Helpern Architects; Hugo S. Subotovsky A.I.A. Architects LLC; P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc.; Swanke Hayden Connell Architects; and Viridian Energy & Environmental, LLC.
We thank everyone who has contributed in the past and we continue to seek funding for these great projects. Contact Jen Apple for more information.
2011 Outlook: Energy
As many of you know, AIA has launched a national campaign for carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030. In NYC, we have begun and will continue to advocate for higher standards of energy efficiency. We won a NYSERDA grant to develop a curriculum on the 2010 Energy Conservation Code of New York State with the Urban Green Council, and conduct 80 course sessions over a 30-month period. These training sessions will take place at the Center and other locations around the city and state, and we look forward to partnering with other local AIA chapters to offer this important curriculum.
2011 AIANY Board
I would like to recognize the 2011 AIANY Chapter Board. I am excited to work with all you. I would especially like to acknowledge 2011 President-elect, Joe Aliotta, AIA, LEED AP.
Committees
I’m also looking forward to working with our committees. Our highly engaged program committees are poised to hold more programs than ever before in 2011, continuing an upward trajectory in the number, breadth, and depth of the Chapter’s programming.
The Architect’s Fast Track Leadership series will continue in the New Year with sessions on human resources, understanding clients, business development, and architectural law. New Practices will send an exhibition of its 2010 winners to São Paulo, and the Committee on the Environment is planning to adapt the AIA+2030 Professional Series, offering a 10-session course on designing for super-efficiency. We are excited to welcome the Design for Aging Committee to our ranks, and look forward to more programs joining the excellent roster already being presented by Architectural Dialogues, Architecture for Education, Architecture for Justice, Architecture for Hospitality, Banking and Finance, Building Codes, Building Enclosure Council, Cultural Facilities, Health Facilities, Historic Buildings, Housing, Interiors, Marketing and PR, Public Architecture, Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, Women in Architecture, and the committees we’ve already mentioned. Also, I look forward to Oculus Committee-organized book talks in the New Year. Committee members, I’m looking forward to working with all of you.
2011 Overview
In the upcoming year, I’m looking forward to a resurgent economy, a stronger and greener Chapter recognized for its intellectual, practical, and imaginative leaders. Together we will set an example for cities across the state, country, and world. I look forward to working with all of you toward these goals.