David L. Businelli, AIA, Vice President of Public Advocacy, and President of Studio 16 Architecture in Staten Island, was presented with an award of achievement from the Chamber of Commerce of the Province of Pordenone in the region of Friuli Venezia-Giulia in Northern Italy.
     The award, known as the Premio Della Fedelta Al Lavoro, Del Progresso Economica E Del Lavoro Pordonese Nel Mondo, (Award of Achievement for Economic and Business Progress of the People of Pordenone in the World) was given to people who either emigrated from, or are the descendents of, people from Province of Pordenone. Businelli's fraternal grandparents hail from the towns of Cavasso Nuovo and Pofabro in Pordenone. The award was presented on October 26, 2008 at the Famee Furlan of N.A. Club in College Point, Queens.

     Congratulations David!

By: Daniel Edgell, AIA, Associate Director, AIANYS

 

     AIA Rochester recently took part in Sustainability Day presented at the Brighton and Damon campuses of Monroe Community College (MCC). In its second year, its' purpose is to educate and create awareness about sustainability by promoting products, clubs, and initiatives that contribute to sustainable living.
     The AIA's involvement was a natural fit for this program. Students at MCC were introduced to both the AIA's Walk the Walk (www.aia.org/walkthewalk) and Sustainability 2030 (www.aia.org/toolkit2030) initiatives. The programs introduced students to the green journey by demonstrating how architects are taking the initiative to lead the way towards a more sustainable future.  The Aces 2 Habitat House design submissions sponsored by AIA Rochester were invaluable visual tools that brought green design and construction to a scale that was easily understood.  We illustrated that green does not have to be expensive and can easily begin at home. 
     In addition to the AIA, the event was attended by many other groups including: Honda, the Sierra Club, and the City of Rochester. The college's Facilities Department also presented the steps MCC is taking to become greener.
     Students at MCC were left inspired and educated by our contribution to MCC Sustainability Day.  Some students left our station stating that they contemplating architecture as their future profession as a direct result of the presence of the AIA at this event! AIA Rochester hopes to continue working with this program and others like it in the future.  By reaching out to the community, we can have an important impact on architecture's role in society.  Truly, we can all "walk the walk" and become leaders in the sustainable evolution.
     Pictured (left to right): Rebekah Edgell, Phi Theta Kappa President, Daniel Edgell, AIA, Associate Director, AIANYS and Deborah Szewczyk, Vice President of Scholarship, AIA Rochester, helped out at the event.
   

     For details and for submission materials, go to: http://www.aia.org/idp_outstandingfirm.  If you have questions, contact Steph Burns at sburns@aia.org or 202-626-7530.