In Memoriam: Burton Roslyn, FAIA (1946–2020)

Burton Roslyn, FAIA, owner of Roslyn Consultants and adjunct professor at the New York Institute of Technology, was an active member of AIA New York committed to the advancement of the Chapter and its emerging professionals.

Since graduating from City College of New York in 1972, Roslyn dedicated his practice to the development of an atmosphere where architects are recognized as leaders in the design build and project management processes. In his teaching, Roslyn taught the next generation of architects to expand the role of architecture by reasserting their roles as “master builders.” Roslyn’s also advocated for new paradigms of practice: integrated project delivery and architect-led design build. His tireless activism instigated concrete change in both legislative and practice arenas.

Roslyn served as a designer, builder, consultant, and client representative, partnering with nationally renowned firms to create quality design build projects. From 2001-2002, he served on the AIANY Board of Directors, from 2006-2009, he served on the AIA New York State Board as Secretary, VP of Government Advocacy, President-Elect, and President. Roslyn also helped oversee the construction of the Center for Architecture in 2003.

In 2014 and 2015, Roslyn was honored with the AIA Richard Upjohn Medal. In 2010, he was the recipient of the AIANYS Del Gaudio Service Award, conferred for distinguished service and leadership, and demonstrating competence in advancing the profession.

In 2011, his contributions to the industry were recognized with his election to the AIA College of Fellows.

Below, we’ve gathered several tributes from members of our community.

From Benjamin Prosky, Assoc. AIA, Executive Director, AIANY | Center for Architecture

I am deeply saddened to learn of Burton Roslyn’s passing on April 2, 2020. Burt was one of the first people to welcome me to AIA New York when I started as Executive Director in 2016. He made himself available to inform me about important initiatives that the chapter had undertaken before my time, as well as some of his ambitions for the chapter’s future.

A dedicated teacher, Burt had tremendous faith in his students and future generations of architects. Though we did not see him as much in recent years as he bravely faced cancer treatment, we did hear from Burt consistently. Burt would send students of his to meet with me and also always sent a check to help us fund initiatives supporting young professionals.

His enthusiasm, generosity, leadership, and dedication to the profession of architecture will be dearly missed.

From F. Eric Goshow, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, 2013 President, AIANYS; Partner, Goshow Architects

Burt was an important mentor to me. In 2013, when I served as AIANYS President, a few of us felt we were in an awful mess: was our State component serving membership? Did we have the right people in the right seats? Did we have a collaborative working relationship with our 13 components, especially my own, AIANY? Did anyone care? I established a kitchen cabinet that included Burt, one of my distinguished predecessors as AIANYS president, who was very aware of the unpleasantness. How important it is when, in times of stress (like now), there are intelligent, compassionate, supportive friends willing to share. That was Burt! With Burt’s advice (and that of a few others) we forded the river, initiated the changes we felt necessary, and came out on the other bank the better for it. When, a few years later, I applied for AIA Fellowship, my sponsor was Burt Roslyn. I owe him so much! And I am far from the only one he gave of his time; a truly generous man. He will not be forgotten.

From Terrence E. O’Neal FAIA, LEED AP

Burt gave his time and knowledge to the profession, to the AIA, to his students, and to his community. Burt and I served in various roles in AIA concurrently. I could always depend on Burt to provide support, as well as sound counsel and advice, in my own leadership roles in the organization. We will miss him.

From Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, IIDA, 2010 President, AIANY

Burt was a champion for architects and the AIA’s place in advancing the profession. His sometimes-gruff exterior was a mask for a truly caring person with a warm heart. I will miss his wise council. We all have lost a giant.

From Daniel Horn, AIA, LEED GA, Co-Founder, Operation Resilient Living & Innovation (ORLI+)

Burt was a well respected and matter-of-fact individual, and always used his unique humor to describe how things worked in the field of architecture. He was my mentor and I was paired with him during one of the AIANYS conferences around 2015. We had many sit down sessions together, but one I will always remember is when he said it was absolutely imperative for me to get my license to practice architecture. He was a very successful registered architect himself, and so just the way he said it had such a profound impact on me. Burt was also very savvy with technology, and he instilled it in me to be up to date with it in my practice. He was very active on social media, and used it to stay connected with his students and mentees. We kept in touch online and he checked in with me regularly to see how I was doing. He was straightforward, candid, and unvarnished, and that’s why no one will ever forget him.