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AIA New York State, Inc.
An Organization of The American Institute of Architects
E-News
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AIANYS Honor Awards
The AIANYS Honor Awards program was instituted to provide appropriate recognition to individuals who have influenced the profession of architecture in New York State. These awards reflect notable contributions, outstanding service, or specific actions taken by architects, legislators, or organizations who demonstrate a pattern worthy of distinction. Specific awards recognize outstanding contributions to the profession in education, industry or government. Receiving an honor award is one of the best ways to acknowledge a member of AIANYS for their hard work and dedication to the profession. Members of the AIANYS Board of Directors or an AIANYS component may nominate eligible individuals per the AIANYS Award description. A description of each of the awards and the submission template is on the AIANYS website www.aianys.org.
All nominations must be received at AIANYS by the close of business (5:00 PM) on June 19, 2008 and sent to AIANYS, 52 South Pearl Street, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12207.
The 2008 AIANYS Honor Awards will be presented during the convention at the Opening Keynote Luncheon on Thursday, September 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains.
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Call for Nominations for AIANYS Officers and Board of Directors
One of the most important functions of a local chapter is its participation in the AIA New York State's nomination process. Each year, the Nominating Committee requests chapters to consider the names of qualified individuals for the following AIANYS offices: President-Elect, Secretary, Vice President, Government Advocacy, Vice President, Public Advocacy, Associate Member Director.
Nominations are due by June 23, 2008. Elections are held September 25, 2008.
AIANYS Officers
The following offices will be filled with a one year term in 2009: President-Elect, Secretary, Vice President, Government Advocacy and Vice President, Public Advocacy. With the exceptions of the President Elect and the Treasurer, officers may be eligible for re-election the following year for the same office for a maximum of two consecutive terms. All elected Officers take office at the first meeting of the Board.
Associate Member Director
The AIANYS bylaws require an Associate Member to serve as a Director on the AIA New York State Board for a one-year term (2009), who then becomes the AIANYS representative to the AIA National Associates Committee for another one-year term (2010). The Associate Membership Category is defined at any given time by AIA. Candidates for the Office of President-Elect must be members in good standing; (i.e., who has paid all three levels of membership dues in 2008). Candidates for Secretary, Vice President, Government Advocacy and Vice President, Public Advocacy must be members in good standing and be either current serving or past members of the Board of Directors of AIANYS. Candidates must also be in compliance with the resident status of the AIANYS bylaws. (Article 5, Section 5.02) A Chapter may nominate candidates for only one office or Associate Member Director in any given year. Nominations of Officers shall be made by the candidates chapter. Nominations for the Associate Member Director fall under the same AIANYS bylaws requirements as Officers.
Nomination Forms
Click here for the nomination form. Nominations are due by the close of business on or before June 23, 2008 by 5:00 p.m. at the AIANYS Office with a brief statement of qualifications from the Chapter. Please send to AIANYS, 52 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207. Candidates must send to AIANYS, a photo and brief "Statement of Philosophy" about why he/she would like to serve in the position. These must be sent to AIANYS on or before July 30, 2008. Candidates may send hard copy of the photo and the Statement of Philosophy or may send each as digital images via e-mail to Stephanie Quirini at squirini@aianys.org -- photo in JPEG format or TIFF and the Statement as a Word document. These will be published in the 2008 AIANYS Convention on-site book.
Elections
The Officers and Associate Member Director will be elected at the Annual Meeting on September 25, 2008 by a simple majority of delegate votes. Delegates are appointed by the chapters as follows: a chapter may appoint one delegate per increment of 400 members and members emeriti or fraction thereof as of the first day of August 2008 ; i.e., a chapter with 1-400 members may appoint one delegate, a chapter with 401-800 members may appoint two delegates, etc.
Appointments to the AIANYS Board of Directors
Chapter Directors to AIANYS Board
Directors and Alternate Directors are appointed to the AIANYS Board of Directors by the chapters, each chapter being assigned one each, except New York Chapter which may appoint three. They serve a one two-year term beginning at the Inaugural Meeting and are not eligible for reappointment until one year has elapsed after completion of the elected term of office. Under separate cover, in August, you will be notified to appoint your Director (if applicable) for the 2009-2011 term; in the meantime we encourage chapters to begin evaluating the best candidates to be appointed to serve as their chapter's representative(s).
AIA Student Director
Further information will be sent in August under separate cover. The AIA Student Director may be elected by the Board at the Annual Board meeting or at the next subsequent Board of Directors meeting.
AIA New York Regional Director
Nominations have previously been sent to the chapters for this position, currently filled by Leevi Kiil, FAIA which will end on December 31, 2008. Refer to that nomination information in the following article.
If you have any questions, please contact Edward Farrell, Executive Director, AIANYS at 518.449.3334 or email efarrell@aianys.org.
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Call for Nominations for AIA New York Regional Director
AIANYS component delegates will elect a regional director at the Annual Meeting during the AIANYS convention on September 25, 2008 as the term of Regional Director, Leevi Kiil, FAIA expires in December. The new Regional Director will begin a three year term beginning January 2009.
Responsibilities
Regional Directors are the link connecting the local and state components and the AIA. Regional Directors share their experience, broad understanding of the profession and experiences with AIANYS (and the New York Region) with the AIA Board of Directors. They also bring the AIA Board viewpoints and updates to AIANYS and the New York Region. Regional Directors serve on the AIA Board as well as on the AIANYS Boards and its Executive Committee.
Eligibility
Any AIANYS member in good standing (who has paid all three levels of AIA membership dues in 2008) is eligible to be nominated by three or more chapters, each of which must have five or more members sign the nomination petition. With the announcement for nominations, chapters were sent the Regional Director Nomination Form. Nominations are due on or before June 11, 2008 with a photograph of candidate and brief "statement of philosophy" about why he/she would like to serve as AIANYS Regional Director. Nominations are due to AIANYS by close of business on June 11, 2008.
Election
The AIA Regional Director will be elected at the annual meeting on September 25, 2008 by a simple majority of delegate votes. Contact Georgi Ann Bailey at gabailey@aianys.org or 518.449.3334 if you have questions regarding the nomination process.
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New AIANYS Convention Website Now Online 
AIANYS has launched a new website solely for the 2008 convention. Included on the website is general convention information, schedule of seminars, exhibiting, sponsorship and call for presentations information, keynote events and tours and how to register. The website is linked to the homepage of www.aianys.org. Click here to check it out.
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Buffalo News Prints Letter to the Editor from AIANYS
Edward Farrell, Executive Director of AIANYS recently wrote a letter to the Editor to Buffalo News in response to an editorial that was printed in the newspaper April 19. The letter was printed in Buffalo News on May 6. Here is the letter:
The American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS) applauds your recent editorial on April 19 calling for the repeal of Wicks Law which requires four separate construction contracts for public buildings. We agree that the new thresholds which trigger this requirement are too low, and are in fact, an insult to upstate New York.
When new homes in the suburbs are being built for nearly $400,000, how can a municipality or school district construct a public building for under $500,000 to get around this onerous mandate? It just doesn't make sense.
As designers of the built environment, we know that Wicks drives up the cost of a project by as much as fifteen to twenty percent with no benefit to the public. Architects draw up the plans for these buildings-we know this to be a fact. Taxpayers can no longer afford Wicks and it has to go!
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AIANYS Spring Symposium 
AIANYS held the 2008 Spring Symposium "Permits, Codes and Planning: Moving the Process Ahead" on May 1, 2008 at The Holiday Inn in Albany. The event featured two panels. The morning panel discussed The Future of the Building Code and Permit Process. The afternoon panel discussed The Future of the Site Planning Review Process.
The first panel was moderated by Tori Budgeon-Baker, AIA, FRA Code Services and featured Scott Copp, Director, Building and Planning, Town of Perinton, Past President, NYSBOC; Michael P. Burnetter, PE, Senior Engineer, Codes Division, Department of State; Joseph Hill, Department of State and Russell Davidson, AIA, KG & D Architects.
Tori began by stating that the purpose of the morning session was to have architects and code officials work together on issues they both face. Each panelist then gave a brief overview of a specific topic. Scott Copp discussed ICC Smart Codes and the importance of the code compliance check list. Joseph Hill gave an overview of the enforcement of energy codes. Michael Burnetter discussed green buildings and the how software is changing the industry. Tori then asked the panel a series of questions and asked them to share their experiences with Integrated Project Delivery and BIM, Electronic Document Submission, Uniform Format for Code Compliance Documents, Uniform (Statewide) Building Permit Application Forms and Procedures. Time was allowed for an interactive question and answer period with the attendees.
The afternoon session, The Future of the Site Planning Review Process, was moderated by Russell Davidson, AIA, KG & D Architects and featured panelists John Sullivan, FAIA, Sullivan Architecture, White Plains, NY, (Member: Town of Bedford Planning Board); John Myers, AIA, EYP, Albany, NY, (Member, Albany Historic Resources Commission); Riele Morgiewicz, Senior Attorney, Department of State and Christopher Eastman, Land Use Specialist, Department of State. John Sullivan discussed his experience of being a member of a planning board, Christopher discussed land use, Riele discussed rules of procedure for public planning board meetings and the training and resources that the Department of State offers. John Myers discussed his experience as a member of the Albany Historic Resources Commission. Russ then asked questions to the panel and subjects included: how the increased use of Green Design, Smart Growth and other site review issues are now and will continue to impact Planning Boards and Architectural Review Boards.
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AIANYS Vice President Attends NYC Council Committee Hearing
David Businelli, Vice President, Public Advocacy, AIANYS attended the NYC Council Committee Hearing on May 7 at City Hall regarding Intro. 755, a proposal to amend the NYC Charter to remove the requirement that the Commissioner of Buildings be a Registered Architect or Licensed Professional Engineer in good standing with the NYS Department of Education (at the request of the Mayor). Attendees included Architect's Council, the 5 AIA borough chapters, AIA Long Island, ACEC, NY Building Congress, NYSSPE Bronx and Queens, NSPE, National, land use attorneys, and former Commissioner of Buildings, Irving Fruchtman, PE. Below is David's account of the hearing.
Testimony was given by the Mayor's counsel that due to the difficulty that the administration had in finding a fully qualified candidate for the commissioner's position in 2002, the Charter should be changed to allow a non-licensed person to be the Commissioner of Buildings in order to "broaden the candidate pool." Counsel stated that the administration would certainly not exclude licensed professionals in the search.
He was then peppered with tough questions by the members of the committee and other council members (who are not committee members). All of them were against the proposal, with one of them saying that the proposed change was insane. Counsel did not do a very good job of presenting the Mayor's case. He was asked if the Mayor thought that the health commissioner could be a person who was not an MD, or the NYC Corporation Counsel not be an attorney. Counsel's answer, predictably, was that those positions were not in question.
About 30 architects and engineers testified against the proposal, and all made excellent points. The point that was most often repeated was that only a licensed design professional is qualified to do the job of the commissioner, whose main task is to enforce the Building Code and Zoning Resolution, thereby protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. The commissioner also must interpret the code and issue variances of the code when it is deemed to be the correct way to solve a particular problem. Since the description of the duties of the commissioner describe the practice of architecture and engineering, the point was made that only a licensed design professional may, under SED law, occupy the position. A letter was read for the record from Christine McEntee, AIA National Executive Vice President/CEO that was in opposition to the bill.
A question was raised by a land use attorney and former City Council Member that since Acting Commissioner Robert LiMandri is not licensed, and since all Certificates of Occupancy, work permits and approvals bear the commissioner's signature, are the documents currently being signed by LiMandri valid, and would they be if the law is changed? Land use attorney Sheldon Lobel testified that despite his 40 years of dealing with zoning and building codes, he is not qualified, nor is any attorney, qualified to be commissioner.
Representatives of the NY Building Congress also testified strongly in favor of defeating the proposal, saying that contractors rely on professionals, and that contractors are not qualified to do the job.
Overall, David was surprised and pleased by the overwhelming support by the council members present for defeating the bill.
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AIANYS Leadership Meets with Senator Schumer
AIANYS leadership met with Senator Charles Schumer in New York City on May 9 to discuss a variety of issues that affect architects.
The first subject discussed was the importance of enacting incentives for energy efficient buildings. It is in the nation's interest to help architects, builders, developers, homeowners and businesses create buildings that use less energy and protect the environment.
The AIA is asking Congress to: vote to extend tax incentives to promote energy efficiency in, including the tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings and incentives for new and renovated homes and co-sponsor legislation, soon to be introduced by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) that will provide incentives for homebuilders and homeowners to design, construct and renovate energy efficient homes and neighborhoods.
The next subject the group discussed was eliminating retainage rules on architects and engineers. Current rules allow federal agencies to withhold up to 10 percent of an architect's or engineer's fees until the end of a design project, which is far beyond what is customary for other services, and which places a huge, unnecessary burden on small design businesses. The AIA is asking Congress to: pass legislation to eliminate the 10 percent retainage on architects and engineers to contract with the federal government.
The third subject discussed was to promote healthy and safe communities through transportation funding. The AIA supports increased funding for mass transit and community planning to promote economic development, congestion relief, sustainability, and livable and walkable communities.
Senator Schumer expressed support for all three initiatives and looks forward to working with AIANYS.
Pictured (left to right): Michael Shilale, AIA, AIANYS VP, Government Advocacy, Burton Roslyn, AIA, AIANYS President-Elect, Russell Davidson, AIA, AIANYS Immediate Past President, Orlando Maione, AIA, AIANYS President, Barbara Nadel, FAIA, Senator Charles Schumer, Edward Farrell, AIANYS Executive Director, Sherida Paulsen, FAIA, President-Elect, AIANY, Fredric Bell, FAIA, AIANY Executive Director and Terrence O'Neal, AIA, New York Regional Director.
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Upcoming Chapter Product Fair
AIA Long Island will be hosting their Annual Product Fair on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Huntington Hilton Hotel, 598 Broad Hollow Road in Melville. Classes begin at 9 AM, the product fair opens at 1 PM. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.aialongisland.com or call Ann LoMonte at 516.294.0971.
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Upcoming Chapter Golf Tournament
AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson will be hosting their Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser on Monday, June 23, 2008 at Salem Golf Club, 18 Bloomer Road, North Salem. Registration and lunch is at 11 AM, shotgun start at 1 PM and dinner is at 5:30 PM. The cost is $250 per AIA member. For more information, go to www.aiaarchitect.net
or contact Valerie Brown at 914.232.7240. |
Emerging New York Architects Committee Offering Tour of Rochester
Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA), Emerging Rochester Architects (ERA), AIANYS, AIA New York and AIA Rochester Present: New York State Tours: Rochester, Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, June 15, 2008. The cost is $50 AIA Members/$100 Non-Members (accommodations and transportation are separate). Register at: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=160820. Registration Deadline is June 6, 2008. The schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 14, 20088:00 AM, Pickup from RIT Housing (Dorms), 8:30 AM, Pickup from Hyatt Regency, 9:00-11:00 AM, Breakfast at the Public Market, 11:30-1:00 PM, Albert Paley Studio Tour, 1:30-3:00 PM, UR Campus Tour, 3:30-5:00 PM, East Ave Walking Tour (Provided by Landmark Society), Jazz Festival, Dinner at local restaurant Sunday, June 15, 2008
9:00-10:30 AM, Landmark Society Tour I, 11:00-1:30 PM, Landmark Society Tour II, 1:45-3:30 PM, RIT Campus Accommodations: Hyatt Regency, $115/night, RIT Housing (Dorms) $31/night Transportation from New York City to Rochester: Amtrak, Approx. $108 (6 hour travel time), Plane, Approx. $226 (1.5 hour travel time) **Transportation to and from Rochester and the booking of accommodations in Rochester are the responsibility of the attendees. For additional information or questions please contact us: ENYA@aiany.org. |
AIANY Regional Associate Director, Vasso Kampiti, Assoc. AIA, Receives AIA National Scholarship
Vasso Kampiti, Assoc. AIA, Regional Associate Director, AIANY, has received the 2008 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship. Sponsored by the AIA National Associates Committee (NAC) the scholarship was created to remember their friend and colleague, Jason Pettigrew, Assoc. AIA.
Jason dedicated much of his time with AIA towards the development and growth of others and a commitment to community service through AIA Colorado as well as nationally. His significant contributions include assisting in the formation of the NAC through service on the first NAC Executive Committee, serving multiple years as Representative to the IDP Coordinating Committee, and through his contributions towards the development of the Emerging Professional's Companion released in 2004. Vasso Kampiti, Assoc. AIA, currently serves as the Regional Associate Director for AIANY and has previously served as the Associate Director on the AIANYS Board of Directors. She holds a BArch from the City College of New York and currently works as a Project Manager at the City University of New York (CUNY) Department of Design Construction and Management. For the last few years, she has been actively involved in the Emerging New York Architects Committee. Congratulations Vasso!
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AIA National Convention 
Over 23,000 attended the 140th AIA National Convention "We the People" in Boston May 15 through 17. The convention featured continuing education programs, tours of various Boston landmarks, an expo with over 800 vendors featuring the latest products and services, as well as various receptions and AIA business meetings.
AIANYS held a reception on May 15 to honor AIA Fellows and Honor Award recipients on the right field roof deck of historic Fenway Park. Over 400 attendees listened to Irish music and sampled local favorites, such as lobster rolls and Fenway franks, while enjoying the beautiful views overlooking one of the oldest ballparks in the country. As a parting gift, guests received commemorative baseballs. Special thanks to IBEX for sponsoring this event.
AIANYS also held a regional breakfast in the Marriott Copley Place Vineyard Room to discuss the candidates for national office. The two candidates from New York, George H. Miller, FAIA and Pamela J. Loeffelman, FAIA, were elected for 2009 AIA National office. Miller was elected First Vice President/President-Elect and Loeffelman, Vice President. Congratulations to both!
During the second morning session of the convention, Robert Traynham Coles, FAIA, AIA Buffalo/Western New York, was recognized by AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee for attending the AIA National Convention every year for the past 40 years! He established Robert Traynham Coles, Architect, PC in 1963 and it is now the oldest African-American-owned architecture firm in New York State and the Northeast. He received the Whitney M. Young Jr. Citation in 1981 for his contributions to the cause of social justice and in 1995 served as chancellor of AIA College of Fellows. He also received the James William Kideney Award from AIANYS in 2004.
On May 16, the Boston Society of Architects held the host chapter party at the Boston Public Library. The event featured a different band in each room of the library, as well as food stations with local favorites such as New England Clam Chowder and a mashed potato bar.
On May 17, AIA held its Annual Business Meeting. 13 resolutions were presented and all were passed during the meeting including two sponsored by AIANYS (for a complete list of all of the resolutions passed, go to www.aia.org).
The first resolution sponsored by AIANYS, Resolution 08-4, titled AIA Public Response to Unfair and Inappropriate Regulatory Activities, was presented at the meeting by Terrence E. O'Neal, AIA, AIA New York Regional Director. This resolution will establish a public response that the AIA encourages, proposes and supports, in all communities, regulatory and code enforcement practices that are fair, timely, and built upon consensus-based regulations and practices, and that the practice of architecture within a state should only be governed by the state board that issues the license to practice within that state. The other resolution sponsored by AIANYS was presented by Dennis A. Andrejko, AIA, AIA New York Regional Director at the meeting. Resolution 08-5, titled A Continuing Sustainable Education Agenda, encourages ecological literacy and sustainability or green design as components of architectural education and the Intern Development Program. First Photo (above): George H. Miller, FAIA spoke on May 15 during the candidate's speeches portion of the convention in the Grand Ballroom of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Second Photo (left): John Notaro, AIA, Treasurer, AIANYS, attended the AIANYS reception at Fenway Park. (Photo courtesy of Dennis A. Andrejko, AIA). Third Photo: Carol Cioppa, AIA, President, AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson, Burton Roslyn, AIA, President-Elect, AIANYS and Edward Farrell, Executive Director, AIANYS, attended the host chapter party at the Boston Public Library.   |
| Governor Paterson Signs Executive Order on Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program
Gov. David Paterson signed an Executive Order establishing a New York State "Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program," to promote policies within state agencies and authorities that reduces the consumption of materials and energy and reduces potential impacts on public health and the environment. State agencies will be required to purchase environmentally friendly commodities, services and technology and develop sustainability and stewardship programs. The Executive Order will achieve its goals through three primary initiatives: An interagency committee to ensure that state agencies have direction in carrying out appropriate purchasing, planning in contracting; Environmentally-friendly agency programs and policies that promote recycling reduction of toxic waste, and increasing energy efficiency; and Training State employees to pursue their duties in a manner which is mindful of their impact on the environment. The Business Council will seek to work with the Governor's office to facilitate a green procurement program that is beneficial to state agencies and local businesses.
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International Code Council Membership and Code Resources
The 2007 Building and Fire Safety Codes of New York State are now in effect. Are you up to code?
Become a member of the International Code Council® (ICC®) to receive special member pricing on the essential code resources you need to learn and apply the New York State codes. ICC members also receive a wide range of money-saving services to help keep you current on critical issues and code changes that effect your on-the-job decisions.
Visit www.iccsafe.org/nysmr7 to learn more about ICC membership, and download a free 30 day trial of the 2003 International Building Code (IBC) Commentary ®- Volume 1 or call 1.888.ICC.SAFE (422-7233), ext. 33804.
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