In this issue:
· New York Observer Reports on AIANY Advocacy Efforts
· Procrastinators’ Days Begin
· AIA Supports Obama Administration’s Public/Private Sector Plan for Building Upgrades
· e-Calendar

New York Observer Takes Notes of AIANY’s New Role in Policymaking
On 11.29.11, the New York Observer ran an article by Matt Chaban highlighting the efficacy of recent AIANY advocacy efforts and quiet influence the Chapter has in City government. Click here to read the full article.

Procrastinators’ Days Begin
Procrastinators’ Days present opportunities for AIANY members — and non-members — to fulfill their Continuing Education requirements in a short time while also meeting with professional affiliates to exchange information on new practices and materials in the building industry. With 19 HSW AIA/CES registered educational sessions from which to choose, architects can obtain a majority of their required credits over a three-day period, 12.08-10.11.

Highlights of Procrastinators’ Days:
New Visions of Glass Block: LEED and Beyond (1LU/HSW) On Thursday, from 2:25-3:25pm, Sean Canfield of Pittsburgh Corning Company will lead an interactive presentation on how glass block is made, how it is an effective design element for natural light, how it contributes to sustainable design, and how recent advances in new glass block systems provide surprising resistance to both natural and man-made threats.

Understanding and Designing Effective Induction Loops for Residential and Commercial Spaces (1LU/HSW) On Thursday, from 4:45-5:45pm, speaker Ellen Semel and the Hearing Loss Association will introduce the induction loop, a technology that helps hearing aid users and can be installed in residential and commercial spaces. The loops have been used successfully in northern European countries for more than 30 years; this course will help prepare U.S.-based architects implement the technology locally.

Introduction to Managing Daylight with Shading Systems (1LU/HSW/SD) On Friday, from 11:30am-12:30pm, Steve Glenn of Lutron will lead a seminar examining the benefits of window shading. Participants will discover how different systems can improve the functionality, comfort, and security of a space while reducing energy costs.

Sustainable Bath & Kitchen Design (1LU/HSW) On Saturday, from 11:20am-12:20pm, Jamie Kwiat of Kohler will speak on how healthier homes mean healthier people, communities, and the planet. This course will focus on designing healthy and sustainable baths and kitchens, selecting sustainable residential products, integrating water conservation plumbing products for LEED credits into residential designs, and communicating to clients the importance of sustainable buildings.

Obama Administration announces major energy efficiency initiative for buildings
On 12.02.11, the AIA released a statement endorsing President Obama’s $4 billion public/private sector plan to upgrade buildings for energy efficiency throughout the country. AIA President Clark Manus, FAIA, said: “The White House announcement is an important step in helping make buildings more efficient and create jobs at the same time. This Better Buildings Challenge complements AIA’s June announcement with the Clinton Global Initiative to develop a database of Stalled Projects suitable for investor financing, as well as AIA members’ commitment to make buildings progressively more and more energy efficient toward the 2030 commitment. Thanks to these funding commitments, AIA architects are poised to design the next generation of green buildings.” Click here to read the full statement.

eCALENDAR
eCalendar includes an interactive listing of architectural events around NYC. Click the link to go to to eCalendar on the Web.