Emerging New York Architects

On Jun 25, 2025, our AIANY | Emerging New York Architects is honored to collaborate with the Architecture Research Office, in the panel discussion ” Architecture Research Office (ARO) on Insights for Practice” at AIA New York | Center for Architecture.

This flagship event was inspired by the firm’s recent book, Architecture. Research. Office. (2024, Artbook | D.A.P. . and DelMonico Books), began with introduction of the firm’s diverse projects across three decades, and the principles that guide ARO’s work, which seeks a more responsible practice of architecture grounded in both people and process.

We are heartily grateful for our distinguished panelists, Stephen Cassell, FAIA, ARO Principal, Megumi Tamanaha, AIA, ARO Studio Director, Neil Patel, ARO Project Director,​ Elizabeth Levy​, ARO Designer, and Jane Lea​, Principal of Lea Architecture, formerly of ARO, as they in conversation of varied professional trajectories, from student to practice, to leadership, to hire, to start a firm, and diversity of works, research based practice, and office culture.

The panel discussion was followed by an interactive breakout group with attendees, led by our panelist, for better communication and engagement. We got very positive feedback, and glad our attendees loved this session.

Special thanks to Kim Yao, FAIA​, for advocacy for this collaboration for our emerging professionals, and Alex Caban, for the logistic coordinated and brilliant panel discussion question brainstorming.

This event is moderated and coordinated by ​Hao-Yeh Lu and ​Fahir Burak Unel, RA, AIA, Co-Chair of AIANY Emerging New York Architects, supported by AIANY Program Director ​Salmata Kaba, photography by Chia-Han Lin.

Thanks to everyone who attended this event, looking forward to seeing everyone at our next ENYA events!

On May 2, 2025, our AIANY | Emerging New York Architects was pleased to organize the Beyond the Boards building tour, to the newly completed award-winning New York City Police Department 40th Precinct, designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group. The project is an excellent showcase of the NYC Department of Design and Construction’s Design and Construction Excellence program for public works.

The tour was led by Aran Coakley, Associate and Project Architect at BIG, and New York City Department of Design and Construction representative, Amanda L. Miller Amankona, Senior Strategic Planning Coordinator, Office of the Commissioner, and Owen Xie, Junior Project Manager, shared their efforts and insights to achieve this astonishing works.

It’s a great chance to experience firsthand how the city works in partnership with creative and experienced design professionals to deliver high-quality public buildings. Also we have some emotional moments, to have Bjarke Ingels Group design architects came reunioned, to visit this work they devoted into.

Our AIANY ENYA committee’s heartfelt thanks to each firm and city agency’s advocacy and support, to BIG—Bjarke Ingels Group partner Kai-Uwe Bergmann, FAIA, Global Communications Manager Alyssa Snyder, New York City Department of Design and Construction Associate Commissioner Jeff Margolies, Chief Strategy Officer Becky Yurek, and New York Police Department Capital Construction Unit Director Amr Eldin.

This tour was organized and photographed by Hao-Yeh Lu, the co-chair of ENYA.

Thanks to everyone who attended this workday afternoon event. Looking forward to seeing you at our next ENYA events!

On April 22, 2025, the AIANY Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) was pleased to host a lecture from NYC Department of City Planning named “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity: Insights for Emerging Architects”. Presented by NYC Department of City Planning, Frank Ruchala Jr, Director of Zoning, and Christopher Hayner, Deputy Director of Zoning, who shared their insight with the emergent professionals community.

The largest zoning amendment since 1961 makes it possible to build more homes across the city; alleviating the ongoing New York housing crisis. This program was a great opportunity for professionals to better understand the zoning intent directly from policymakers, and to help them embrace new opportunities.

We would like to thank Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for hosting this event in their New York office, Daniel O’Shaughnessy‘s support, introduction and after event office tour, Shivani Agarwal‘s advocacy for this collaboration, and Yvette Gonzalez‘s event and catering arrangement.

This session was moderated by Hao-Yeh Lu, Assoc. AIA & Co-Chair of ENYA (’25-present). With the coordination from Salmata Kaba, Program & Events Manager at AIA New York, Danyel D. Hueyopan, Assoc. AIA & ENYA Market Team (’24-present) and Chia-Han Lin with photography, and Diana Erazo Garcia‘s reception.

Thanks to everyone who attended this event during a workday afternoon. We look forward to seeing you at our future ENYA programming!

On January 30, 2025, ENYA and Tooba Jalal, Assoc. AIA & Co-Chair (’22-’24), were awarded and recognized among a talented architects across the state of New York.

To the surprise of ENYA, the recognition came after a fruitful year of events across New York City. The event took place in Crowne Plaza Albany – the Desmond Hotel, on an afternoon in Thursday. Fahir Burak Unel, Assoc. AIA & Co-Chair (’19-present), traveled to Albany to personally receive the Local Chapter Emerging Professionals Committee Award for The AIANY ENYA. The recognition as a local chapter highlights our efforts and commitment to cultivating a community of future architects. The submission for the award recognized our previous events & series like: Beyond the Board, Arch Sandfest, and previous, seasonal ARE Study Groups.

As for the second recognition, Tooba Jalal, Assoc. AIA & Co-Chair (’22-’24), received the 2025 Associate Award. Tooba Jalal’s contribution to the AIANY ENYA and abroad New York as a professional has left an imprint worth noting. Whether it be her monthly round-up email, significant effort towards new media and communication (co-establishing the Marketing Team), or with her presence and energy at each committee meeting, Tooba’s contribution has left ENYA in a position of ever prosperity. ENYA will always welcome her to any and all future monthly committee meetings!

All said, the AIANY ENYA committee has started the year with a great deal of introspection, thank you to AIA New York State for this opportunity. We’ll take this forward, as we transition towards a new year and Co-Chair.

Acknowledgements: F. Burak Unel, Assoc. AIA & Co-Chair (’19-present) & Tooba Jalal, Assoc. AIA & Co-Chair (’22-’24). The Marketing Team: Brad DeBose, NOMA, Assoc. AIA (’24-present), Danyel D. Hueyopan, Assoc. AIA, (’24-present), and Ziani Rodriguez, AIA, (’24-present).

On November 12th, 2025, ENYA along with the Cross-Learning Alliance, Mitchell Itkin, and Milo Schindler, curated a three-hour session on self-development. Oriented towards young emergent professionals, the session was spent towards the translation between self-interests and repository career documents into a cohesive career interest, goal, or position. Portfolios, resumes, and self-pitches became the sites of intervention that groups were encouraged to carefully critique. To all the emergent practitioners, this session allowed them to refine their carer sequencing, as it pertains to interviews or a professional setting. As well, in encouraging public speaking as a necessary tool for self-development.  

Special thanks to Milo and Michael who practice marketing strategies, contributing to an industry standard of self-articulation. 

This event was part of the Cross-Learning Alliance’s ongoing efforts to foster collaboration across design and building professions. A partnership between ENYA, Urban Green, ASHRAE New York, and New York Passive House, the Alliance brings together experts to bridge gaps between ownership, design, construction, and operation. By organizing events like this tour, the Alliance continues to create opportunities for meaningful cross-disciplinary learning and networking.