by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP
There is a surfacing mass of architects no longer willing to isolate themselves in the office at all hours every day. They are planning social events, looking to network beyond the panel discussions and exhibition openings. In the past couple of years, emerging designers are making architecture more exciting, and considering the popularity of the events, their community will only keep growing.
The AIANY Emerging NY Architects Committee (ENYA) is a pioneer in this movement. With a 750-member database (and contacts worldwide), it holds the largest number of events — competitions, a book club, sketching program, building tours — in addition to panel discussions and presentations. Pecha Kucha organizes presentations in a fast-paced social environment (See “20/20 Hindsight on Pecha Kucha NY,” by Rachel Schauer, 10.30.07), and LVHRD holds an annual architects duel (See Architects Duel Praises ‘ikOnyk’ Tower, by B.A. Cook, in this issue). The USGBC Emerging Green Builders NY hosts fashion shows, competitions, and participates in monthly “Green Drinks” happy hour events.
Latest to join the list is Design in 5, a committee of the Architectural League of New York that focuses on designers within the five boroughs and within five years of graduation (open to graphic, industrial, and fashion designers, artists, as well as architectural designers). They have begun an annual charrette event (See “Designers Rethink Cityscape — One Scaffold at a Time,” by Bill Millard, 08.07.07), and last week held a “Drinks with a Designer” program where G TECTS principal and New Practices New York finalist, Gordon Kipping, AIA, gave a tour and presentation of Miyake Madison, followed by a social hour at the nearby Phoenix Park Bar. Farzana Gandhi, chair of Design in 5, said there were more than 80 people on the waiting list.
I hope, and suspect, these young architect groups will continue to gain momentum in the city, enhancing the already vibrant architecture community. My hope is that the next step for these groups is to join forces and begin to cross-germinate, not only among themselves but also among other emerging professional groups citywide.