In this issue:
·Mayor Overhauls Building Codes
·AIA Members Receive Discount off Guggenheim Memberships
·AIANY Cruises NYC Waterways
·Survey Reveals Professional Growth
·Passing: Gregory Clement III, FAIA

Mayor Overhauls Building Codes
Mayor Bloomberg and Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster, FAIA, submitted a landmark modernization of the City Building Code, the first since 1968, to the City Council for review and consideration. Fulfilling a promise made during the 2001 campaign, the Mayor’s proposal overhauls all aspects of the City’s construction codes, including the Building Code, setting new standards and rules that emphasize safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The proposal, to be called the NYC Construction Codes, draws on suggestions and input from hundreds of stakeholders the administration brought together for this effort, and is intended to simplify construction standards and foster long-term, environmentally-friendly growth.

The proposed Codes recognize electronic submissions and digital documents and will be organized according to the International Code Council format. To ensure the Codes never become dated, the proposed law will be tied to the national three-year revision cycle to take advantage of innovations in new materials and technology. The Department of Buildings (DOB) will also allow longer license durations. A cost study by the DOB has identified new code provisions for significant construction cost savings.

The Codes seeks to facilitate sustainable building by providing fee rebates for green design, requiring more efficient heating and cooling systems, requiring white roofs, and encouraging water conserving plumbing systems. The proposed Codes are available on the Buildings section of the New York City website. The website includes section-by-section documents that summarize each chapter and note key changes from the current Codes.

AIA Members Receive Discount off Guggenheim Memberships
AIANY is pleased to announce a partnership with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. AIA Members can redeem a 15% discount on memberships up to and including the Supporting Associate level by using the discount code “AIA” during online purchases and phone purchases (212-432-3535) or by showing the AIA Membership Card at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum membership desk.

The Guggenheim Foundation promotes an understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, and other manifestations of visual culture, primarily of the modern and contemporary periods. The Foundation realizes this mission through exhibitions, educational programs, research initiatives, publications, and its unique network of museums and cultural partnerships. For more information, visit the website.

Guggenheim members receive free admission to all Guggenheim museums, invitations to exclusive exhibition previews, 10% discount at the museum store and café, a free subscription to Guggenheim magazine, and more!

AIANY Cruises NYC Waterways
AIANY with NY Waterway Tours is launching the first cruise dedicated to the landmarks and skyline of NYC. The tour kicks off May 25 and will run every Thursday and Sunday at noon through the end of October. “Certified” tour guides will provide facts about numerous structures, and a visual presentation will play on flat-screen monitors to further enhance the experience. Bar service will be available on-board and a food menu will be offered by the “Original” NY Milkshake Company, located at Pier 78. Click here for schedules and to purchase tickets.

Survey Reveals Professional Growth
The 2007 Survey of Registered Architects by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) indicates that there are currently 112,650 registered architects in the U.S., reflecting a 4.5% increase over last year. More than 3,800 initial licenses were granted to architects, an increase of 34.5% over last year.

The survey also reveals that there are 109,546 reciprocal (out-of-state) architects and 222,196 total registrations. This means, on average, an architect is registered in at least two different jurisdictions. CA has the most resident architects (16,894) and the highest number of total registrations (21,852). In comparison, NY has 8,356 resident architects and a total of 14,124 registrations.

The Council’s Quality Assurance division collects data for the survey from its 54 member boards, which includes all 50 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. NCARB makes this information available annually as a service to the profession.

Passing: Gregory Clement III, FAIA
Gregory Clement III, FAIA, died at home surrounded by family and friends on April 11, 2007. He was 56 and battled melanoma for nearly two years. Gregory served as a Managing Partner at Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects since 1993, overseeing numerous international and award-winning projects such as the Rodin Museum and the New Songdo City Master Plan, both in South Korea. He led the firm in its role as Executive Architect in the renovation and expansion of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, working in tandem with Yoshio Taniguchi, Hon. FAIA.

Respected for his architectural contributions, Gregory was also admired for his personal relationships with clients and colleagues, his mentoring of young architects, and his warmth and integrity. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) in 2005, and he actively participated in the AIA Large Firm Roundtable. He took part in student juries at Yale University, Princeton University, and Columbia University, among others. With his free time, he pursued painting and collage art, as well as golf.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Gregory and Elizabeth Clement Melanoma Research Fund, Abramson Cancer Center of The University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. A memorial will be held June 1, 2007 at 4pm, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, 2 East 90th St. at Fifth Avenue.