by: AIA New York
New Hires and Promotions
The Museum of Modern Art has announced the appointment of Evangelos Kotsioris to Director of the Emilio Ambasz Institute for the Joint Study of the Built and Natural Environment. Kotsioris will also serve as a curator in the Museum’s Department of Architecture and Design, where he will lead initiatives focused on ecology and sustainability in collaboration with the Museum’s curatorial departments. As director, he will develop a robust and diverse roster of exhibitions, along with digital and onsite programs that address the interconnectedness of architecture and ecology.
Deborah Berke, FAIA, LEED AP, has been reappointed as Dean of the Yale School of Architecture. Berke will begin her third five-year term on July 1, 2026.
Architecture and interior design firm Spacesmith has announced the promotion of two emerging leaders whose work has helped shape the firm’s expanding national and international portfolio: Designer Jaclyn Lieck has been promoted to Senior Associate, and architect Gabrielle Kupfer, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, elevated to Associate.
Huntsman Architectural Group has announced the hire of Damir Pozderac, AIA, as Technical Director/Senior Architect. Based in the firm’s New York City office, Pozderac will support projects nationally across the firm’s three offices.
The Facade Tectonics Institute (FTI), a global nonprofit member organization dedicated to advancing the art, science, and technology of building façades, has announced its 2026 Board of Directors, welcoming new leaders and recognizing the contributions of those who have completed their service. The new slate includes Attila Arian as President, Ron Hull as Vice President, and Alberto Franceschet as Secretary.
Paul Castrucci Architects welcomes Louis Fernandez, R.A., AIA, CPHD, LEED GA, as architect. Fernandez brings 14 years of experience across large-scale multifamily, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, commercial core and shell, and high-end interiors.
Hoffmann Architects + Engineers has announced the promotions of Melissa R. Melone, AIA, and Fariha Salsabeel, Assoc. AIA. Melone, a project manager and owner of the firm who has been with Hoffmann since 2021, has been promoted to Senior Staff Architect. Salsabeel joined the firm in 2024 and has earned a promotion to Senior Project Associate.
Honors and Awards
The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation has announced that Sharon Prince, CEO and Founder of Grace Farms, will receive the Innovative Executive Award at this year’s Bevy Leadership Awards on April 16. Honorees also include Erleen Hatfield, PE, FAIA, Managing Partner at Hatfield Group Engineering, receiving the Organizational Excellence Award, Julia Gamolina, Founder and Editor of Madame Architect and Associate Principal at Ennead Architects, receiving the Media Engagement Award, and Amale Andraos, AIA, HFRAIC, Principal of WORKac, receiving the Academic Excellence Award.
Presented by the Lower Manhattan Historical Association, the Alexander Hamilton Immigrant Achievement Awards are awarded to foreign-born naturalized citizens of the United States of America who have made outstanding contributions to Lower Manhattan and New York City. The 2026 honorees were awarded on March 19: Dervila Bowler and Eddie Travers, owners of Fraunces Tavern, Kai-Uwe Bergmann, FAIA, Partner at BIG, Raju Mann of Battery Park City Authority, and Roger Byrom, Manhattan Community Board 1.
The New York Preservation Archive Project will be honoring Carol Clark with the George McAneny Award for Unsung Preservation Leadership on May 1.