October 26, 2010
by: Emily Nemens

In this issue:
· AIA Accepting Designs for Decades
· Feedback Request: Key Terms Clarification Text Amendment
· AIA’s “50 to 50” Outlines Ways to Achieve the 2030 Challenge
· AIA Wins 2010 International Association for Public Participation
· eCalendar



AIA Accepting Designs for Decades

AIANY is helping AIA National facilitate its “Design for Decades” initiative. Modeled after “MADE IN NEW YORK” (on view in the West 4th Street Subway Station through 10.31.10), “Design for Decades” includes an open call for global architecture projects completed by AIA members. AIA will host a virtual exhibition, and projects may be featured in other venues in the future, including AIA headquarters, the national convention, and at local components’ spaces. According to AIA President George Miller, FAIA, “The purpose of this undertaking is to feature works of all scales and types that represent the scope and quality of work being done by AIA members.” There is a $25 entry fee, and submissions are open through Friday, 11.12.10.



Key Terms Clarification Text Amendment — Give us your feedback

By Jay Bond, AIANY Policy Director

We are in the middle of the 60-day public review period for the Key Terms Clarification Text Amendment, a set of technical changes to the NYC Zoning Resolution designed to preserve the original intent of the zoning regulations and to clarify the meaning and usage of key terms within the regulations.

The key terms include “development” and “building” as they are defined in the Zoning Resolution. The use of the term “development” will be clarified to mean only a new building or a new use of open land. The definition of “building” will be revised to differentiate one building from another in a way that corresponds to the intent of the City Planning Commission, the Building Code, and to a layperson’s common understanding of what differentiates two buildings that touch. The full text of the amendment can be found here.

AIANY would appreciate your feedback on the proposed changes. Comment on our blog , or e-mail jbond@aiany.org with your feedback. Also, please join the AIANY Planning and Urban Design Committee on 11.19.10 from 8-10am for a conversation on the Text Amendment.


AIA’s “50 to 50” Outlines Ways to Achieve the 2030 Challenge
At this year’s AIANYS Convention, Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, LEED AP, and Dennis A. Andrejko, FAIA, discussed the environmental, economic, and cultural issues around sustainability at a session called, “Architectural Design in a Green Culture: Meeting the 2030 Challenge.” Having adopted a goal to reach net-zero impact by the year 2030, the AIA has developed a set of guidelines to reduce the use and emissions of fossil fuels in buildings. The “50 to 50” reference book outlines strategies to reduce the environmental impact by 50% immediately and 100% by 2030. The 218-page document addresses 50 different issues, from active solar systems to windows and openings, and includes both established techniques and emerging trends; it encourages integrated approaches to reducing carbon emissions throughout the built environment. Click the link to download the document.


AIA Wins 2010 International Association for Public Participation
The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) has announced that AIA is its 2010 Organization of the Year. The AIA was recognized for its public participation program, including its extensive design assistance programs, and the Center for Communities by Design, which began in 1967 with the Regional and Urban Design Assistance Team. More than 1,000 professionals have contributed to the AIA’s public service work across the country.


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

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