July 2, 2025
by: AIA New York
AIANY Executive Director Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY Executive Director Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY 2025 President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY 2025 President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY 2025 President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA, discusses his presidential theme. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY 2025 President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA, discusses his presidential theme. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Delma Palma, RA, AICP, receives the 2025 Leadership in Housing Award. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Delma Palma, RA, AICP, receives the 2025 Leadership in Housing Award. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Zack Aders, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, receives the 2025 Public Architecture Award. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Zack Aders, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, receives the 2025 Public Architecture Award. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
The NYC Community Compost Network receives the 2025 Special Citation. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
The NYC Community Compost Network receives the 2025 Special Citation. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Sarah Carroll receives the 2025 Service to the City Award. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Sarah Carroll receives the 2025 Service to the City Award. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Open House New York receives the 2025 Special Citation. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Open House New York receives the 2025 Special Citation. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Incoming AIANY 2026 President-Elect Hana Kassem, FAIA, NOMA, LEED, WELL AP, 2025 AIANY President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA, incoming 2026 AIANY President Mark Gardner, AIA, NOMA, and AIANY Executive Director Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
Incoming AIANY 2026 President-Elect Hana Kassem, FAIA, NOMA, LEED, WELL AP, 2025 AIANY President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA, incoming 2026 AIANY President Mark Gardner, AIA, NOMA, and AIANY Executive Director Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY Director Michael Caton, AIA, NOMA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.
AIANY Director Michael Caton, AIA, NOMA. Photo: Samuel Lahoz.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2025, AIA New York hosted its 158th Annual Meeting, where members elected 2026 leadership and celebrated recent chapter achievements and award recipients. The evening was not only an opportunity for reflection and planning as an organization, but a touchpoint for community members and leaders to reconnect and be celebrated.

Following a brief introduction from AIANY Executive Director Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA, the meeting began with a presentation from Gilmartin on his 2025 theme See You IRL: Designing for Public Life. He noted particularly the relevance of this theme in this present moment, as New York City faces unprecedented political turmoil, social fragmentation, and climate crises. After presenting on the state of the Chapter, from memorable lectures and tours to its membership and advocacy, Gilmartin turned over the podium to AIANY Board Treasurer Alexander Lamis, FAIA, who presented on the Chapter’s financial health and budget. AIANY Board Secretary Kirsten Sibilia, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, presented the work of the Nominating Committee, who created the 2026 Board and Elective Committee Slate. The slate was approved without delay.

The Annual Meeting also served as an opportunity to recognize members of the architecture and design community for their local and regional contributions. Congratulations to all of the 2025 chapter awardees:

  • Leadership in Housing Award: Delma Palma, RA, AICP
  • Public Architecture Award: Zack Aders, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
  • Service to the Institute Award: Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB
  • Service to the City Award: Sarah Carroll
  • Special Citations to: Open House New York and NYC Community Compost Network

We congratulate incoming board and committee members and look forward to celebrating with you at the 2026 Board Inaugural in December!

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