AIA New York Welcomes 2024 Leadership, Introduces 2024 Presidential Theme “Belonging and Beyond”
December 14, 2023
New York City, December 14, 2023 – On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, AIA New York welcomed its 2024 Board of Directors at the annual Board Inaugural. Executive Director Jesse Lazar, and 2023 President Matthew Bremer, AIA, NCARB, began the evening by celebrating this year’s achievements. Following the passing of the gavel, incoming 2024 President Greg Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, discussed his presidential theme, Belonging and Beyond.
2024 PRESIDENTIAL THEME – BELONGING AND BEYOND
Switzer’s 2024 AIANY presidential theme, “Belonging and Beyond,” centers on a crucial aspect of human well-being that improves physical and social-emotional health and resilience for individuals and communities. “Belonging” refers to a deep connection with social groups, physical places, and individual and collective experiences. This year’s theme calls for us to be intentional about inclusion by listening and workshopping ideas worth advocating for and amplifying. “Belonging” asks for us to focus especially on the areas of affordability, exclusion, displacement, homelessness, climate change, and other patterns preventing people’s sustained connection to physical places and each other.
We are creative professionals well-equipped to uphold standards of excellence and integrity while prioritizing widespread well-being. As the first Black leader to guide this historic chapter in its 167 remarkable years of influence, Switzer is filled with enthusiasm that belonging will be our focus this year. 2024 will be a year of reflection and exploration as we educate ourselves and initiate opportunities for visionary dialogue, solution-seeking, and sharing with clients and the wider public. Workshop forums will deepen members’ internal connections while also enhancing the visibility and impact potential of the Center for Architecture as a vibrant cultural institution in the heart of New York City.
CHAPTER RECOGNITION
The inaugural also served as an opportunity to recognize members and projects of the architecture and design community for their contributions. AIANY’s Vice Presidents recognized the Chapter’s program committees with Vice Presidential Citations for contributions in each of the organization’s mission areas: design excellence, public outreach, and professional development.
AIANY Vice Presidential Citations
AIANY Citation for Design Excellence: AIA New York recognizes Peter Bafitis, AIA, for leading the AIA New York Housing Committee for nine years and committing to over a decade of activism on housing advocacy efforts in New York City through the Chapter.
AIANY Citation for Professional Development: AIA New York recognizes the Building Science Committee (BSC) for reinvigorating regular programming and discourse at AIA New York around building performance and climate impact of the built environment, as seen through the lens of materials and systems.
AIANY Citation for Public Outreach: AIA New York recognizes the Architecture for Justice Committee for the resounding success of the program Reimagining Justice: A Conversation with Formerly Incarcerated Artists.
AIA NEW YORK 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
*signifies new members and roles
President
*Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB
SWITZER Architecture, P.C.
First Vice President/President-Elect
*Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Vice President for Design Excellence
Hana Kassem, AIA, LEED AP
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Vice President for Professional Development
*Peter Miller, AIA
Palette Architecture
Vice President for Public Outreach
Rocco Giannetti, FAIA, LEED AP ID+C, NCARB
Gensler
Secretary
Mark L. Garder, AIA, NOMA
Jaklitsch/Gardner Architects
Treasurer
Alex P. Lamis, FAIA
Lamis Architect
Director
*Victoria Benatar, AIA
EXD Architecture
Director
*Michael Caton, AIA
Juno
Director
Bruce D. Eisenberg, FAIA
New York City Housing Authority
Director
Ilana Judah, AIA, OAQ, LEED AP, CPHC
Arup
Director
Vivian W. Lee, FAIA, LEED AP
Gensler
Director
Michaela Metcalfe, AIA
New York City Department of Design and Construction
Director
AJ Pires, AIA, RA
Alloy Development
Director
Amanda Ramos, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, WIN
Gensler
Director
Gustavo A. Rodriguez, AIA
FXCollaborative
Public Director
Jha D. Amazi
MASS Design Group
Public Director
*Jennifer Graham, FIIDA, LEED AP
Perkins&Will
Public Director
*Vincent Lee, PE
Arup
Public Director
*Maria Perbellini
New York Institute of Technology
Public Director, Oculus Advisor
*Tami Hausman
HAUSMAN
Student Director
*Martina Duque Gonzalez
Cooper Union
Immediate Past President
*Matthew Bremer, AIA, NCARB
Architecture in Formation
About Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB
Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, founded SWITZER Architecture, P.C., as a uniquely positioned architectural practice with emphasis on design and the management of the design process in 2003 as a response to the ever-changing architecture and interiors marketplace, to provide design conscious projects with the highest level of attention to detail and cost. He is responsible for day-to-day firm-wide operations as Managing Principal and CEO. Switzer’s extensive and unparalleled experience in multiple project situations allows him to work with clients and project teams to establish and maintain overall project direction with clarity and focused direction.
Firm projects encompass the perfect balance between creative thought and the leveraged use of technology with a true sensitivity and appreciation of process and their effects on the built environment. Committed to guiding clients through the often-tedious tasks of organization and understanding the impact of the built environment with respect to their unique projects. He believes every client’s unique needs are always addressed during the firm’s true hands on process of implementation.
Switzer has extended experience with several notable architectural and design firms totaling more than 30 years of hands-on practical knowledge. He maintains memberships in organizations such as NYCOBA/ NOMA, where he served a two-year term as President (2021-2022), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, The American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, and the Borough of Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Board. He previously served as a member of Queens Community Board# 2 for more than 7 years with a stint as Vice-Chairperson and was active member of the Land Use Committee.
He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and a Bachelor of Interior Design from Louisiana State University. He was also a research fellow at Cornell University and has authored several sections of various books and publications which include the Interior Design Handbook of Professional Practice.
About AIA New York
Founded in 1857, AIA New York is the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Chapter’s members include 5,500 practicing architects, allied professionals, students, and public members interested in architecture and design. AIA New York is dedicated to three goals: design excellence, public outreach, and professional development. aiany.org