The AIA Conference on Architecture Returns to New York City After 30 Years
June 18, 2018
New York City, June 18, 2018 – This week, New York City will welcome thousands of design professionals from across the country for the American Institute of Architects Conference on Architecture 2018 (A’18), which runs from June 20 – June 23.
To AIA New York (AIANY), the conference represents a homecoming: ten years after the founding of AIA in New York City in 1857, the organization held its first conference here. The last time the conference took place in AIA’s founding city was 30 years ago, in 1988. “AIANY is excited to host the A’18 Conference on Architecture,” said Benjamin Prosky, Assoc. AIA, Executive Director of AIANY and the Center for Architecture. “As we all know, the city has changed a lot since 1988, and we are eager to show our colleagues why we are so proud to live and work in NYC!”
As host chapter, AIANY has organized more than 200 tours, around 8,000 individual tickets, across all five boroughs, representing the best of NYC’s built environment, past and present. These A’18-specific tours are offered in addition to the chapter’s expansive boat tours and walking tours, which are programmed year-round. More information on AIANY tours is available here.
Other AIANY initiatives include:
DAY OF SERVICE
To encourage architects to make a difference in their communities, AIANY has partnered with multiple local architecture firms to organize the A’18 Day of Service, which will take place on the last day of the conference, Saturday, June 23. Volunteers can sign up for one of six distinct service projects, each benefiting a different non-profit organization in the NYC area. Projects range from upgrading a supportive housing facility and temporary shelter to installing structures for a public school’s edible garden and sprucing up a youth community space. Participating firms include 1100 Architect, Cannon Design, FXCollaborative, James Wagman Architect, Murphy Burnham & Buttrick, and Perkins Eastman. More information is available here.
“AIANY’s presidential theme for 2018, ‘Architect|Activist,’ invites our members to get involved with pressing local and national issues,” said AIANY 2018 President Guy Geier, FAIA, FIIDA, LEED AP. “A’18’s Day of Service is a great opportunity to become civically engaged and give back to our communities.”
AIANY MEMBER SHOW
On view at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from June 20–22, AIA New York’s New York Designs 2018, showcases the work of NYC-based AIA members, providing a snapshot of our membership’s diverse contributions to the built environment. The exhibition highlights more than 140 projects of all scales and types, from built work to theoretical proposals, commercial to residential, new construction to historic preservation, and interiors to temporary installations. While more than half of the submissions are located in NYC, New York Designs 2018 also features work built internationally, in cities including Dhaka, Bangladesh; Beijing, China; Okinawa, Japan; Venice, Italy; and Mexico City, Mexico. This exhibition, designed by Natasha Jen of Pentagram, is installed in the South Concourse of the Javits Convention Center and is open to the public.
AIANY CITY GUIDE
To welcome the organization’s national membership to the city, AIANY create a City Guide, with curated recommendations about design, food, drink, recreation, and culture in New York City’s five boroughs. The guide includes event recommendations for the week of June 18–24, featuring programs organized by allied organizations, including the Museum of the City of New York, the Skyscraper Museum, National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Governors Island, Storefront for Art and Architecture, Architectural League, DOCOMOMO, Danish Cleantech Hub, Open House New York, Van Alen Institute, and more. More than 20 firms around the city will also be hosting Open Studios from June 19 through June 22. Events and open studios are posted at AIANY.org/A18 and are open to the public but attendees must RSVP online for certain events; conference registration is not required.
In conjunction with the City Guide, AIANY has created branded MTA MetroCards, also designed by Pentagram, to be used by A’18 tour participants and sold exclusively this week at the West 4th Station in Greenwich Village, near the Center for Architecture.
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. www.aiany.org