Friends:
As we enter the spring, we also begin to emerge from a disconcerting winter, characterized by the chaos and confusion that has been emanating daily from Washington, D.C. Now, we must deal with the many changes that will begin to take effect. Our members in government roles are broadly impacted, and those of us with federal contracts will be watching closely to learn whether our work will proceed as previously planned. New international tariffs will raise the cost of structural steel, aluminum, and other imported goods used to build our projects, potentially creating uncertainty for our clients about how to proceed. Regulatory changes to sustainable de- sign goals and guidelines, and changes to policies supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our educational and contracting programs that receive federal funding, may also disrupt our day-to-day work. Finally, apart from the broad social and economic consequences of deportation, we will continue to closely monitor policies affecting visa renewal for essential foreign nationals working in our practices. Given this prism of uncertainties, I hope you feel as I do: that the AIA New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture are spaces of community, resilience, and shared experience and values. Please take the time to let us know how you are being affected.
It was a source of optimism for me to convene with other board presidents, executive directors, and leaders from chapters all over the country at the Annual Leadership Summit on February 24 to 26 in Washington. In addition to sharing our experiences and knowledge, we all went to Capitol Hill on the final day to speak to our senators and representatives about our common priorities: housing affordability, climate resilience, research and development, and design without stylistic mandates for federal buildings.
As chair of this year’s AIANY Honors Committee, I found another reason to be hopeful: the exceptional practices being honored at this year’s luncheon on April 25 at Cipriani Wall Street (read more about the honorees on page 16 of this issue). As the Medal of Honor winner, SHoP has been a leader in design innovation for more than a generation. Nico Kienzl of Atelier Ten—recognized as a Champion of Architecture—has been a natural leader of sustainable design practice, and someone who has had a long-term impact on governmental sustainable design guidelines. For the Architecture in Media Award, Ana Miljački’s I Would Prefer Not To has provided a distinctive viewpoint with untold stories of commissions that architects did not take, and what these reveal about their mission and values. The New Perspectives Award elevates the unique approach of Interboro Partners as architects and urbanists who are deeply focused on community participation and questions of inclusivity in the public realm. All are sources of inspiration.
Finally, among the many extraordinary committee activities and events at the Center, I want to highlight a series of six dialogues that will take place as part of my President’s Circle. Titled “Designing for Public Life,” the series will focus on the changing nature of how we design public spaces in the city, and how this work can positively shape our social, civic, and cultural lives. The program is organized in collaboration with Ann Marie Baranowski and the Cultural Facilities Committee. I will open the series with New Affiliates on April 17 at the Center in a conversation titled “Searching for Superpublics,” reflecting on how new forms of large-scale public spaces are being realized across the five boroughs today. We are anticipating that an exhibition of the same title will open at the Center in October. So please join us for this series of discussions—and many others.
