On April 22, 2025, the AIANY Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) was pleased to host a lecture from NYC Department of City Planning titled “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity: Insights for Emerging Architects.” The event was presented by NYC Department of City Planning’s Frank Ruchala Jr, Director of Zoning, and Christopher Hayner, Deputy Director of Zoning, who shared their insight with the emerging 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 for his support, introduction and post-event office tour, Shivani Agarwal for advocating for this collaboration, and Yvette Gonzalez for organizing the the event and its catering.

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

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