2010 AIANYS Committees Report

     The AIANYS committees worked hard in 2010 to assist in planning programs and supporting various AIANYS activities. Below is a brief synopsis of each committees work in 2010 written by the committee chair.

     Thank you to all of our committee members for volunteering their time and helping to make 2010 a successful year!

Associates Committee

Chair: Venesa Alicea, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, (AIANYS Associate Director)

Members: Shanntina Moore, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, Regional Associate Director; Quentin Castle, Assoc. AIA, Nicolette Feldser, Assoc. AIA, Mark Behm, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, Chris Pelella, Assoc. AIA, Jeff Smith, AIA

     The AIANYS Associates Committee's mission is to advance the goals and objectives of Associate Members of AIANYS, and address the specific needs of interns: work place, IDP, licensure requirements.

     Here are some highlights of programs/initiatives geared towards emerging professionals in 2010:

2010 AIA New York State Associate Member Survey

     The Associates Committee conducted its first Associate Member Survey during the summer of 2010. The survey was intended to help all AIA components in NYS understand the needs and demographics of the Associate Members. We were able to streamline the data entry by offering the survey electronically to all of the 1,307 AIANYS Associate Members. We had 252 responses which is approximately 21% of the Associate membership. The breakdown by component is available to Component leadership upon request. For the survey results go to:

http://aianys.org/images/2010assocnumber2

http://aianys.org/images/2010assocresrate.pdf

http://aianys.org/images/2010assocsummary.pdf

Associate/Student Events at the 2010 AIA New York State Convention:

           -IDP Presentation at the University of Buffalo

On October 14, 2010 members of the Associates Committee joined Martin Smith from NCARB, and Thom Penn the NYS IDP coordinator at the University of Buffalo to present to a group of students from the university in regards to the NCARB Intern Development Program and licensure in NYS. Robert Lopez, Executive Secretary, NYS Board of Architecture, also joined in via web cam to assist in the presentation. This program was hosted by the AIAS Buffalo chapter with approx. 40 students in attendance.

            -Architects Registration Exam Review Course

This 4 hour Structures Review Course was given on the morning of October 16, 2010. The course was taught by Marc A. Mitalski, P.E, S.E. President of PREPARE, Inc. and sponsored by AIANYS. Forty-three intern architects attended the session.

ConvergenceNYC 2010:

     Convergence:NYC is an annual networking event that brings together emerging architects, architecture students, and established designers from some of the most exciting design firms in New York City. This program currently in its 4^th year, organized by Convergence Group, a team of students and young professionals, has reached out to approx. 120-150 students per year, and encourages attendance from students/young professionals across New York State. AIANYS continues to be one of the main sponsors for this program. This sponsorship specifically helped fund 54 students to attend this event through travel, accommodations and food. In 2010, we were able to bring over 120 students from a combination of City College of New York Spitzer School of Architecture, NYC College of Technology, Columbia, Cornell, NYIT, Princeton, Pratt, Parsons, and Syracuse. This program proves to be an introduction for many students to the profession and the AIA, through firm tours, the panel discussion and associated networking events. 

Social Networking

     Facebook and Twitter accounts continue to be one of our main outreach tools where we post events across NYS and important information relevant to our membership.

Convention Steering Committee

Chair: Burton Roslyn, AIA, Immediate Past President

 Members: Peter Arsenault, AIA, Russell Davidson, AIA, New York Regional Director, Orlando Maione, AIA, Kelly Hayes McAlonie, AIA, VP, Public Advocacy, Paul McDonnell, AIA, Jeffrey Morris, AIA, and Francis Pitts, AIA, President.

     Using the four AIA core learning areas as a base, the committee charged the Program Selection Jury Task Force to identify sessions that offered content in a broad spectrum of "Best Practices'. (The Jury reviewed over 100 proposals.)  They also designed and developed the three keynote sessions and approved the Honor Awards to be presented at the session most related to the award itself.  The committee instituted the Thursday Networking Lunch that allowed registrants time to interact with each other and answer emails and phone calls. Along with the contributions from the related partner organizations (ASLA and USGBC), the committee gave its final approval to a total of 60 educational offerings and six tours. 
     The Convention Steering Committee is unique in its composition as all of the members are Past Convention Committee Chairs, bringing to their discussions a combination of insight and experience.

Government Advocacy Committee

Chair: F. Eric Goshow, AIA V.P., Government Advocacy

Members: Timothy Boyland, AIA, David Businelli, AIA, President-Elect, Roland Charpentier, AIA, Richard Leckerling, Legislative Counsel, Stu Markowitz, AIA, Michael Nicoletta, AIA, Margery Perlmutter, AIA, Joseph Piraino, AIA, Francis Pitts, AIA, President, Burton Roslyn, AIA, Immediate Past President, Allen Rossignol, AIA Robert Stanziale, AIA                   

     The Government Advocacy Committee was hard at work in 2010 and the result was a successful legislative year for AIANYS. There are several bills that AIANYS supported that were signed into law this year: The Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, The Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Tax Credit Fix and The Model Senior-Friendly/Age-Integrated Planning, Zoning and Housing Guidelines. Once again, we were successful in stopping the bills we opposed. For a complete 2010 legislative agenda, go to www.aianys.org, under Government Advocacy. We now await the renewed energy a new governor and legislature will bring in 2011.

     For the second time, AIANYS held a free Leadership Advocacy Training Webinar. This training was designed to provide members with more effective tools to use on Lobby Day. As a result of our preparation, we had productive, serious and informed discussions with all of the members we met with on Lobby Day.

     AIANYS held a successful Architects in Albany Lobby Day in the Spring. Over 60 members, representing 12 chapters, attended Lobby Day.

     AIANYS honored Senator Suzi Oppenheimer with the Legislator of the Year Award. She received this award for her sponsorship of the Smart Growth Initiative.

     Because of AIANYS members generous donations to the NYS Architects Political Action Committee (NYSAPAC), AIANYS leadership and members were able to attend more events for legislators this year than ever before! They attended over 65 events throughout the course of 2010, including 20 in the district, an all time high.

Planning, Budget and Finance Committee

Committee Chair: David L. Businelli, AIA, President-Elect

Members: Robert Stanziale, AIA, Treasurer, Burton Roslyn, AIA, Immediate Past President, John Notaro, AIA, Margery H.  Perlmutter, Esq. AIA, David J. Pacheco, AIA, John P. Goodman., FAIA

     The Planning, Budget and Finance Committee accomplished the following in 2010:

·        Studied hard ways of reducing expenditures while increasing the budget in certain areas while endeavoring to forecast a surplus for 2011.

·        The committee worked to keep the 2010 budget in line and on target.

·        The committee identified areas of the budget for cuts for 2011. Working with anticipated revenue from the 2011 Tri-State convention, achieved a budget that maintains efficiencies established in the 2010 budget, maintains expected levels of service and actually exceeds anticipated levels in certain areas while generating a surplus.

Public Advocacy Committee

Chair: Kelly Hayes McAlonie, AIA, VP, Public Advocacy

Members: Raymond Beeler, AIA, David Pacheco, AIA,  Joseph Piraino, AIA, Alfreda Radzicki, AIA, Ric Stott, AIA

PR Postcard

     The Public Advocacy Committee launched a public relations campaign this year to raise awareness to New York State newspaper reporters and editors that architects work is often not credited. To address this issue, the committee and AIANYS staff worked with a graphic designer to create a postcard to be sent to reporters and media outlets throughout the state.  The front design and tagline was reprinted with permission of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The card featured the photo of a previous AIANYS Best in New York State Design Award recipient. Postcards were sent out in the Spring and the Fall to over 300 newspaper editors across the state. AIANYS members could also download the postcard from the website and email it personally to reporters.

New AIANYS Website

     The Committee also helped with the launch of the brand new AIANYS www.aianys.org. The site has been completely redesigned with new graphics and new features.  The information has been completely reorganized with a cleaner more modern design and easier navigation.

Empire State Challenge

     The Committee was also tasked with organizing the Empire State Challenge. All Chapters were encouraged to enter a significant project that needs assistance in order to move forward. The project would involve the built environment and be compatible with AIA policy statements. The three finalists for the AIANYS Empire State Challenge, AIA New York, AIA Peconic and AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson, presented their projects to the jury on Saturday, October 16^th at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center during the convention.

     The three jurors were Robert Shibley, Professor and Campus Architect, University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning, Holly A. Sinnott, Planning Works International LLC and Joe Fama, Executive Director at TAP Inc. The winner of the Challenge is AIA New York for their project "Regulatory Review Coordination and the NYC Charter Revision Commission: An Issue with Statewide Implications." They have received $5,000 to further their proposal.

Schools + Architecture Programs

     The committee also put together a list of the chapters various education programs. Each chapter was contacted and asked to send in their information. Once the list is finalized, it will be put on the AIANYS website.

Student Awards Committee

Chair: Kelly Hayes McAlonie, AIA, VP, Public Advocacy

Members: Dennis Andrejko, FAIA, Peter Arsenault, FAIA, Russell Davidson, AIA, New York Regional Director, Terrence O'Neal, AIA, New York Regional Director, Padraic Hegan, AIAS, Student Director

     The Student Awards Committee chose the theme of urban/suburban infill. Each school was then sent out all the information on the 2010 Student Awards. The committee chose the design of a poster that was distributed to all of the schools advertising the Student Awards program to students. Champions were also assigned to each school to follow up with the dean/faculty. 8 students from 5 different schools received a 2010 AIANYS Student Award.

     The 2010 AIANYS Student Awards were presented at the Closing Keynote Luncheon during the AIANYS/ASLA Convention in Buffalo in October. AIANYS also applied for and received an AIA Component Matching grant for $500 to help subsidize the program.

Public Sector Practice Committee

Chair: Francis Murdock Pitts, AIA, President

Members: Ron Battaglia, FAIA, Russell Davidson, AIA, New York Regional Director, Burton Roslyn, AIA, Immediate Past President, Lina Telese, Esq., Zetlin & De Chiara

     The Public Sector Practice Committee was very active this year meeting with the State University Construction Fund (SUCF), the Office of General Services (OGS), Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

     All of the meetings were constructive and helpful in advancing issues faced by architects in working with the respective agencies. These meetings will continue to be scheduled to keep the lines of communication open between AIANYS members and state agencies.

AIANYS Recognizes Empire State Challenge Winner

     Edward Farrell, Executive Director recently presented AIA New York with a certificate of recognition and the check for winning the 2010 AIANYS Empire Challenge at their 2011 Board Inaugural. AIA New York will use the money to further their project "Regulatory Review Coordination and the NYC Charter Revision Commission: An Issue with Statewide Implications."  

     AIA New York's 2011 Board Inaugural was held on December 7 at the Center for Architecture. George Miller, FAIA, AIA President offered some remarks. The event featured a passing of the gavel from Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, IIDA to Margaret O'Donoghue Castillo, AIA, LEED AP. The program included a report by Schirripa on this year's "Architect as Leader" initiative, a preview by Castillo of the 2011 theme of the year, "Design for A Change," and closing remarks by Executive Director Rick Bell, FAIA.

     Photo 1: (Left to right): Rick Bell, FAIA, Executive Director, AIANY, Margaret Castillo, AIA, 2011 President, AIANY, Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, 2010 President, AIANY and Edward Farrell, Executive Director at the check presentation at the Center for Architecture. 

     Photo 2: (Left to right): Edward Farrell, Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, George Miller, FAIA, AIA President and Rick Bell, FAIA all attended the Board Inaugural.

Photos by: Sam Lahoz

AIA Southern NY Chapter 2010 Design Awards

     AIA Southern New York Chapter held their annual Design Awards on December 9, 2010 in Binghamton. Raymond Beeler, AIA, AIANYS Board Member, was the jury chair. Five awards in total were given out.    

     Pictured: (left to right) Edward Farrell, Executive Director; Russell Davidson, AIA, New York Regional Director; Gail Gerard, AIA, President, AIA Southern NY; Raymond Beeler, AIA, AIANYS Board Member and Jeffrey Smith, AIA, AIA NYS Board Member attended the Design Awards presentation. 

Preservation League Recognizes Architecture Firm with Pillar of New York Award

     The Preservation League recently presented its most prestigious commendation, the Pillar of New York Award, to Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners at a gala dinner reception at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Beyer Blinder Belle Architects were recognized as one of America's premier authorities on historic preservation. Founding Partners John Belle, FAIA and John Beyer, FAIA are AIANYS members.                 

     Since 1992 the Preservation League has presented its Pillar of New York Award to individuals and organizations whose work in the field of historic preservation makes them role models for others throughout the state and nation.

Regulatory Changes to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)

     The New York State Board of Regents approved regulatory changes to Part 69.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, effective November 10, 2010, regarding the retention of credit for Architect Registration Examination (ARE) divisions passed prior to January 1, 2006. Those applicants who have passed a division of the ARE prior to January 1, 2006 retain credit for that examination division up to and including June 30, 2014. After June 30, 2014, candidates will lose credit for examination divisions passed prior to January 1, 2006.

     This portion of the regulatory change does not impact the current five year rolling clock for ARE divisions passed on or after January 1, 2006.

     See the State Board for Architecture website at http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/arch/ for additional information.

Martin H. Cohen, FAIA

     Martin H. Cohen, born in Brooklyn, New York on April 17, 1932, passed away on December 8, 2010at Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut, surrounded by family, due to respiratory failure following cardiac complications.  Martin attended Brooklyn Technical High School, Cooper Union and MIT's School of Architecture, where he graduated co-valedictorian in 1954 and spent the following year in Italy on a Fulbright Scholarship.  He married Arline Sitner in 1956 and spent the first 25 years of his career with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in New York.

     Later, he was a principal with Stone, Marraccini & Patterson and Ellerbe Associates New York Offices and then became a consultant to owners, architects, and developers for the remainder of his career, working on more than 160 health care facilities and senior living projects.  He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a Founding Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Architects, as well as a Founding Member of the Facility Guidelines Institute.  Martin was the recipient of two Matthew W. Del Guadio Awards from the AIA New York State and in 2006 received a lifetime achievement award from the American College of Healthcare Architects.

     Martin enjoyed classical music, opera, leading services during the High Holidays, telling stories and spending time with his grandchildren.  Martin is survived by his wife of 54 years Arline, his sons Bruce, Paul and Adam, his grandchildren Carolyn, Katelyn, Alyson, Lucas and Aiden, his sister Sara and many other loving family members, friends and colleagues. 

Dormitory Authority of the State of NY Annual Report

     The 2010 Annual Report of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York has just been release. To see the full report, go to www.dasny.org/2010AnnualReport.

Annual Report highlights DASNY's continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and diversity.

     This year's theme is "We Finance, We Build, and We Deliver." The report details Dormitory Authority bond financings and construction projects undertaken in fiscal year 2009-10, which together supported vital facilities that serve New Yorkers - from college academic buildings and student residence halls to state-of-the-art research laboratories, hospitals, treatment centers, and nursing homes, as well as modern court facilities.

NYS Department of Taxation and Finance Releases Bulletin on Interior Decorating and Design Services

     The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance recently sent out a bulletin which explains how sales and use taxes apply to interior decorating and design services. To read the full bulletin, go to: http://aianys.org/images/taxationandfinance.pdf.

Announcing Architectural Record Subscription Discount

     Your subscription to Architectural Record is about to expire! As of January 1, 2011, you will no longer receive Architectural Record as a benefit of membership in the AIA. The next issue you receive will be your final issue. Architectural Record is offering a special discounted rate of $49 for AIANYS members to renew their subscription. You'll save nearly 60% off the newsstand rate, and if you order right away, you will also receive the digital edition of Architectural Record included at no extra charge. The digital edition allows you to access the Architectural Record app on your iPhone or iPad, completely free!

     To renew your subscription, go to: https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=ARH&cds_page_id=92146&cds_response_key=WAR1010Y1.   

Two KG & D Architects & Engineers Projects Named Among Westchester's 10 Best Building Designs

     Two projects designed by KG & D Architects & Engineers have been named among Westchester County's most beautiful buildings in the December issue of Westchester Magazine. Local architects voted on their top 10 choices for the most architecturally significant office and educational facilities in our county.  The projects are Jacob Burns Media Arts Lab, Pleasantville and Seven Bridges Middle School, Chappaqua.

     "We are proud to know that these excellent designs are respected by our professionals peers, and honored to be recognized along with the best architects who have ever practiced in our County," said Russell Davidson, AIA, President, KG & D and New York Regional Director.

     To see the full article, go to: http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/December-2010/Our-10-Most-Beautiful-Buildings/.

 AIANYS PAC Events

     By donating to the NYS Architects Political Action Committee (NYSAPAC), you have helped to fund the opportunity for AIANYS to support the following event in December: F. Eric Goshow, AIA, VP, Government Advocacy attended an event for Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, Chair of the High Education Committee.

AIANYS Welcomes Individual Allied Member

     AIANYS would like to welcome a new Individual Allied Member:

Peter Gibbs, PE, Vice President, Engineering Ventures, 208 Flynn Avenue, Suite 2 A, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-863-6225, Email: peterg@engineeringventures.com

     Allied Membership allows corporations and individuals not otherwise eligible for AIANYS membership to participate in some services.  For more information and the online Allied Membership Application, go to: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Onsite/Welcome.aspx?e=595c258a-ef44-488d-b1c4-cc6bb3bcf41d.