January 29, 2025
by: AIA New York
An older white man speaks into a microphone at the podium.
Jerry Maltz, AIA, at "Designing for a Lifetime" held at the Center for Architecture in June 2014. Photo: Eve Dilworth Rosen.
Photo of three older white men in the Tafel space at the Center for Architecture.
Jerry Maltz, AIA, AIANY Design for Aging Committee Co-chair, with David Baker, FAIA, LEED AP, and Wids DeLaCour, AIA, at "Better Living through Density" held at the Center for Architecture in January 2013. Photo: Daniel Fox.
(Left) A white woman with short curly hair and glasses, smiling alongside (right) an older white bald man with a white beard.
AIANY Managing Director Suzanne Mecs, Hon. AIA NYS, with Jerry Maltz, AIA, in 2009. Photo: AIA New York.
An older, shorter man on the left and a younger man on the right both smile at the camera with an arm/palm outstretched.
Jerry Maltz, AIA, with Matthias Hollwich, Co-Principal of Hollwich Kushner, at the Center for Architecture in April 2013. Photo: Daniel Fox.
An older white man standing at the podium, speaking into a microphone.
Jerry Maltz, AIA, welcomes participants to the design charrette at "BOOMING BOROUGHS: Redesigning Aging-in-Place" held at the Center for Architecture in May 2013. Photo: Eve Dilworth Rosen.

The AIA New York Chapter is deeply saddened by the passing of Nathan Jerry Maltz, AIA, on November 20, 2024. Known always as Jerry, he joined AIA New York in 1968 and worked in the public sector with the Lindsay Administration and at HUD

Jerry was an engaged member of the community on more projects than can be remembered. From encouraging membership growth, supporting early career development, welcoming visitors in the early years of the Center for Architecture, coaching and supporting new co-chairs—he always seemed to find new ways to engage people and give back. He was honored by the New York Chapter for that work with the Service to the Institute (formerly the Harry B. Rutkins) Award in 2012. 

Jerry’s attention to detail, careful color-coded handwritten notes, practical approach and constant follow-through were keys to success. He engaged with each person uniquely and frequently shared his broad smile of welcome. The remembrances below show that many found it a pleasure to know and to work alongside him:

 

“Some 30 years ago, I had the great fortune of meeting Jerry Maltz during my fifth year of architecture school. A program on architectural pedagogy was taking place at the Henry Street Settlement with a call for college students interested in working with public school students on an urban design project. Jerry would be the teaching architect, and I would attend weekly to assist him. From that point on, I proclaimed Jerry as my lifelong mentor. He was instrumental in getting me involved with the Center for Architecture’s Learning By Design:NY program and other built environment education initiatives. Jerry was always incredibly generous—he shared stories of the long-gone Jewish cafeterias of the Lower East Side, how he worked next to Ed Logue at the Urban Development Corporation, and his fond memories at Prentice & Chan, Olhausen. Jerry’s warmth, wit, and unflagging commitment to the Center for Architecture will not be forgotten.”  

Tim Hayduk, Lead Design Educator, Center for Architecture

 

“Jerry was a unique and endlessly curious New Yorker who embodied the best of the city.”

Christine M. Hunter, AIA, LEED AP, Former Principal, Magnusson Architecture and Planning

 

“Ever since I became involved with the Design for Aging Committee at AIANY in 2014, I knew that Jerry had established a firm foundation for the DFA, passing the chair position on to others. He remained helpfully involved in all matters, which was welcomed because of Jerry’s deep experience and commitment. I always admired Jerry’s gentlemanly courtesy to others, encouraging people from different walks of life to participate in the DFA activities. It was a trait of true leadership, that I have tried to emulate in my years as chair of the DFA.”

May his memory be a blessing. 

Brian J. Pape, President, Brian J. Pape Architect & Co

 

“Jerry Maltz and I were co-chairs for five years of the newly formed Design for Aging Committee at AIANY starting around 2007/2008. I had moved to NY in 2006 to specifically work on Senior Housing and was totally unfamiliar with the workings of NYC government. But Jerry, a lifelong New Yorker and someone who had worked for the city for many years, felt that the committee had to contribute our knowledge and expertise to making New York City more senior aware and friendly. In his own methodical way, Jerry was constantly researching on the internet, often finding information about senior living projects from all over the world. He reached out to the NYC Director of Senior Affairs, the New York Academy of Medicine, Senior Friendly Cities, and the United Nations and other organizations dealing with designing for seniors. This led to interactive events with a variety of speakers. After several years, the committee organized an all-day charrette to look at different housing types and unused industrial buildings in NYC to upgrade or convert them into senior friendly housing. It was a huge success, and initiatives spurred by that program continue as areas of investigations by the committee. Jerry was an inveterate traveler, and I was always impressed at the number and scope of his worldwide ramblings. With all this, he was a very private person. In doing a little research, I saw an article from 1975 in Oculus describing a committee he was on with Peter Samton addressing the crisis in the architectural profession in New York City. He also published a book in 2015 on Affordable Housing in NYC.  He always spoke at a slow, deliberative pace, making sure whatever he said or asked was fully thought out.  He had the appearance of an Old Testament prophet, and was a gentle, kind man who cared deeply for his profession and his city.” 

Richard S. Rosen, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Perkins Eastman

 

“I’m grateful to have known someone as good-hearted, thoughtful, principled, and optimistic as Jerry Maltz. A stalwart supporter of AIANY’s Learning By Design K-12 programming from its inception, Jerry gave so much of his time to help this program grow: donating countless hours to help develop and implement our programming; encouraging others to join and expand this effort; and actively teaching in NYC public schools himself well into his retirement years. Undaunted by recalcitrant teens or restless third graders, Jerry was always excited to share his love of architecture with young people and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Once the K-12 program was fully established at the Center, he focused his volunteer efforts on helping create and manage the AIANY’s Committee for Aging, bringing his same devotion to this new cause. Thank you, Jerry. You are a reminder to us all of what it means to lead a good life. You will be missed.”  

Catherine Teegarden, Former Director of K-12 Education, Center for Architecture

 

“Being active in the NY Chapter AIA was an integral part of who Jerry was—always generous with this time and talent, in the belief that if architects share their knowledge and perspective the world would be a better place. When we had the idea that the Chapter should initiate programs to teach architecture in K-12 schools Jerry was one of the first to join the newly formed Learning by Design:NY Committee, and served for many years committee chair, until the program was adopted as a part of the Foundation. As an architect, educator and mentor, Jerry was an example to all and played an essential role in the evolution of the Chapter into the Center for Architecture.”

Linda Yowell, FAIA, Principal, Linda Yowell Architects

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