by: AIA New York
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, AIA New York welcomed its 2024 Board of Directors at the annual Board Inaugural and Holiday Gathering, and passed the gavel to 2024 AIANY President Greg Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, as the first-ever Black president in the organization’s 167-year history.
Executive Director Jesse Lazar and 2023 President Matthew Bremer, AIA, NCARB, began the evening by celebrating last year’s achievements. In 2023 alone, AIA New York hosted over 500 events, provided over 8,000 continuing education credits, welcomed over 21,000 program attendees, and hosted more than 17,000 guests on board over 450 architecture cruises offered in partnership with Classic Harbor Line.
In addition to reviewing the past year’s highlights across programs, advocacy, exhibitions, and more, the evening celebrated members and projects of the architecture and design community for their contributions. Each year, AIANY’s Vice Presidents recognize the Chapter’s program committees with Vice Presidential Citations for contributions in each of the organization’s mission areas: design excellence, public outreach, and professional development. Congratulations to the following 2024 awardees:
AIANY Citation for Design Excellence: AIANY recognizes Peter Bafitis, AIA, for leading the Housing Committee for nine years and committing to over a decade of activism on housing advocacy efforts in New York City through the Chapter.
AIANY Citation for Professional Development: AIANY recognizes the Building Science Committee for reinvigorating regular programming and discourse at AIANY around building performance and climate impact of the built environment, as seen through the lens of materials and systems.
AIANY Citation for Public Outreach: AIANY recognizes the Architecture for Justice Committee for the resounding success of the program Reimagining Justice: A Conversation with Formerly Incarcerated Artists.
Following the passing of the historic AIANY gavel from Bremer to Switzer, Switzer discussed his presidential theme of Belonging and Beyond, which will serve to inform key programming and fundraising initiatives throughout the coming year. The 2024 theme centers on a crucial aspect of human well-being that improves physical and social-emotional health and resilience for individuals and communities. “Belonging” refers to a deep connection with social groups, physical places, and individual and collective experiences. Switzer calls for us to be intentional about inclusion by listening and workshopping ideas worth advocating for and amplifying, and for us to focus especially on the areas of affordability, exclusion, displacement, homelessness, climate change, and other patterns preventing people’s sustained connection to physical places and each other.
“We at AIANY are just beginning to deeply understand why our profession must be open to diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to truly meet the needs the community we serve and the greater good for all,” said Switzer. “I stand before you not only as a symbol of progress, of change, and of hope but also as a reminder of the long road that we have traveled to get here, and the work that still lies ahead… As we unite under the banner of Belonging and Beyond, let us remember this: Every individual deserves to belong, and to flourish, in our great city. In 2024, we will embark on a journey of introspection and exploration, enriching our own understanding and initiating opportunities for visionary dialogues and the exchange of innovative solutions.”
As he joins us at the helm of our Chapter, Switzer brings to his presidency extended experience with notable architectural and design firms totaling more than 30 years of hands-on knowledge. In 2003, Switzer founded SWITZER Architecture, where he serves as Managing Principal and CEO, as a response to the ever-changing architecture and interiors marketplace. He served a two-year term as President (2021-2022) at nycobaNOMA, and participates actively in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the Borough of Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Board. He previously served as a member of Queens Community Board #2 for more than seven years with a stint as Vice-Chairperson and was active member of the Land Use Committee.
Please join us in welcoming Switzer to his position as AIANY President, as well as all incoming members of the AIANY Board of Directors!