Emerging New York Architects
Committee

Our third and last panel before summer, Communicating Architecture: How to Tell a Compelling Story featured a panel of fellows practicing across the public and private sectors. Their work has been recognized for design excellence so we invited them to share their ideas on presentation techniques, connecting with clients, and winning new work.

Joann Gonchar of Architectural Record moderated the panel with astute questions on how the panelists approach commissions and how they handle project stakeholders after it’s been awarded. One of the key points was understanding the stakeholders and what format a proposal will be received; presenting in person is a very different proposition than submitting a written document with images. Strategies for presenting good design don’t end after a proposal, they are also used during later project phases so the panel also shared advocacy strategies used to defend project elements threatened by value engineering. Depending on the scale and client you might justify a design through performance values and hard facts. You might also appeal to a client by suggesting that a piece of the program is critical to the future life of a building. However, it’s important to be selective in which parts are worth defending—sometimes a client’s insistence on making a change to the design can be well founded. In all the answers the panelists frequently agreed that listening first then answering with honesty is the best policy when dealing with clients on any scale.

Similar to previous panels, the fellows shared the importance of loving what you do. No matter how successful a design strategy is on one project, it will probably be different on another, but architects should bring passion and experience to each one. The design process is supposed to evolve and it’s important to challenge yourself as part of the reward of working in architecture.

Moderator:
Joann Gonchar, FAIA, LEED AP, Senior Editor, Architectural Record

Speakers:
Andrew Bernheimer, FAIA, Principal, Bernheimer Architecture
Katherine Chia, FAIA, Principal, Desai Chia Architecture
Frank Greene, FAIA, Principal, Ricci Greene Architects
Frances Halsband, FAIA, Principal, Kliment Halsband Architects

The deadline for the TORCH One-to-One Mentorship application has been extended one week, the new submission date is Tuesday, June 11th.

ENYA would like to encourage you to apply for one-to-one mentorship. It’s a simple application and we are looking for emerging professionals interested in developing communication and leadership skills and expanding their professional networks to advance their careers. 

Don’t hesitate, the extended deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, June 11 at midnight and can be downloaded from the top of our committee page or by clicking here.

ENYA are looking for volunteers to help in the construction of the City of Dreams Pavilion this week and next at Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island. This year’s winning team, Somewhere Studio, will be begin work this Tuesday, May 21 by staking the site and laying foundations. The rest of the week will see the assembly of the CLT panel modules. Don’t delay, please sign-up to volunteer here.

For more information more please email us at cityofdreamspavilion@gmail.com.

Do you have questions about how to find your passion in architecture, manage work-life balance, and advance your career? If you said yes to any of those, you should consider finding a mentor.

In January the ENYA Committee and the AIA College of Fellows launched the TORCH Mentorship Program. The goal of the program is to empower architects by fostering symbiotic relationships that share professional knowledge, culture and leadership strategies from one generation to another. The program includes two parallel components, firstly a series of panels where Fellows share personal stories that led them to successful careers, and secondly one-to-one mentorship experience between a Fellow and protégé.

ENYA would like to encourage you to apply for one-to-one mentorship. It’s a simple application and we are looking for emerging professionals interested in developing communication and leadership skills and expanding their professional networks. 

Don’t hesitate, the deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, June 4 at midnight and can be downloaded from the top of our committee page or by clicking here.

Last month on April 22, TORCH hosted its second panel at the Center for Architecture. The panel of former AIANY Chapter presidents shared aspects of their life and practice that led them to be successful architects and why they went on to serve our local AIA chapter.

The group shared the experiences that inspired their careers and how perseverance, mentors, and a variety of early jobs helped shape their personal interests and goals.  The panelists agreed that it is important to be flexible early in your career, not only to develop technical skills and personal interests, but also to find a work environment that you enjoy.  Being flexible early presents an opportunity to learn different approaches to architecture and improve your salary quickly with each change. The panel also identified that after gaining meaningful experience, it’s important to stay in one place long enough to receive promotions and grow within your position.  The early experiences offered insight each panelist’s own passion which directly influenced long term career choices.

Moderator:
Tomas Rossant, AIA, Founding Partner, Ennead Architects

Speakers:
Gerard F.X. Geier, II, FAIA, FIIDA, LEED AP, Managing Partner, FXCollaborative
Carol Loewenson, FAIA, Partner, Mitchell Giurgola Architects
Susan Chin, FAIA, Executive Director, Design Trust for Public Space
Margaret O’Donoghue Castillo, FAIA, LEED AP, Chief Architect, NYC Department of Design and Construction

The next TORCH Mentorship Program event will take place on Tuesday, May 21! More details here.