by: fmunzer
The “Future Now Summit” that was held on 09.13.14 at the Center for Architecture was a complete success. It had an ordinance of young and enthusiastic professionals from New York City and Long Island. The selection of speakers provided a platform of amazing young professionals who appear to already feel that the FUTURE for them is NOW, as they are already finding solutions to expand the practice of architecture and the building industry. They all told how they already have grown through this thinking.
The Summit was moderated by an expert in workplace strategy, Melissa Marsh, Assoc. AIA, founder of Plastarc, a leader in change management services. Marsh proved to be a valued part of the Summit, keeping all participants speaking to realistic opportunities for the future of the profession, and the communities that will .
All present were amazed to hear what keynote speaker, Kai-Uwe Bergman, AIA, RIBA, partner at BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, had to say about his experiences working around the globe, including work in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Bergman showed slides of BIG’s projects under construction, and spoke in detail about business development methods used and the young staff of architects now working on 17 projects in different countries.
The event included a mentoring luncheon with members of the College of Fellows seated at all of the tables so that they were available to offer advice to everyone present. One recommendation offered was to be sure to make AIA National a part of any and all “Future Now” programs. The speakers strongly agreed that the larger part of the profession must get involved is this movement.
Yes, the “Future Now Summit” was a great success. It showed what opportunities exist for the profession, and what the profession can do for itself and its communities. It proved to me, a Fellow with 60+ active years in the profession, that our new generation of architects and building professionals have taken a strong lead in this movement!
I was also happy to hear an architectural school administrator mention that colleges are already including in their curricula such topics as design-build, open space planning, not-for-profit funding, environmental action, crowdfunding, taking charge of construction, community funding, and more community involvement in new projects.
Event: Future Now Summit
Location: Center for Architecture, 09.13.14
Speakers: Illya Azaroff, AIA, Director, +LAB; Mike House, Partner, raad; Erin Barnes, Principal, ioby; Peter Guthrie, Partner, DDG Partners; Nick McClintock, University of Pennsylvania; Melissa Marsh, Assoc. AIA, Principal, Plastarc (moderator); Kai-Uwe Bergmann, AIA, RIBA, Partner, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group (keynote speaker); James Yankopoulos, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Assoc., AIA New York State Associate Director; Amanda Rivera and David Flecha, Assoc. AIA, Future Now 2014 Committee; Rick Bell, FAIA, Executive Director, AIANY (welcome)
College of Fellows Mentors: Louise M. Braverman, FAIA, Founder/Principal, Louise Braverman, Architect; Theoharis David, FAIA, Principal, Theo. David Architects; Francois C. de Menil, Francois de Menil Architect, PC; Michael F. Doyle, FAIA, Principal, Acheson Doyle Partners, Architects; Frances P. Huppert, FAIA, VP, United Nations Development Corporation; Frank W. Munzer, FAIA, Emeritus, Frank Munzer, Architect; Henry Smith-Miller, FAIA, Principal, Smith-Miller Hawkinson
Organizers: AIANY Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA)
Media Sponsors: Bustler and Archinect