We would like to thank everyone from AIA New York State, AIA New Jersey and AIA Pennsylvania for making the first-ever Tri-State Convention a success! The convention was held September 21-23, 2011 at Bally's in Atlantic City and featured 30 continuing education classes, a one day trade show with 100 exhibitors, 2 keynote sessions, an ice breaker reception, the AIANYS Design Awards Dinner and the Tri-State Design Awards gala.

     The Opening Keynote Session on Wednesday featured Richard Meier, FAIA who gave a retrospective on his life's work with a presentation that included the Weill Hall for Life Sciences at Cornell and the Getty Center in LA.

     On Wednesday night, all convention attendees came together to network at the Ice Breaker Reception held in the Diamond Club which overlooked the boardwalk and the ocean. The AIANYS Design Awards Dinner followed the reception. Over 120 people attended this year's event which featured a pianist while guests enjoyed the sit down dinner, flowers and balloon towers all in the AIA colors of black and red. All of the newly elected officers, Regional Director and Associate Director were recognized, as well as the past presidents of AIANYS and Mickey Jacob, FAIA, AIA National 2013 President who attended the convention as a special guest.

     David Businelli, AIA, President and David Mark Riz, AIA, Design Award Jury Chair, then led the presentation of the 2011 AIANYS Design Awards. 29 awards were given out during the presentation. The Best in New York State Award was presented to Dean/Wolf Architects, New York, New York for Inverted Warehouse/Townhouse, New York, New York. A full color piece featuring all of the Design Award recipients will be mailed out to all members in December.

     The 2011 Trade Show was held right in Bally's on Thursday. Attendees had the chance to view the latest products and services in the industry from over 100 exhibitors. A buffet lunch and two coffee breaks were held right in the exhibit. The Design Award boards from all three states were also on display in the exhibit hall area. Attendees had the opportunity to play the passport game by collecting stickers from each booth and enter to win door prizes.

     Thursday night was the Tri-State Design Award gala which featured pasta and carving stations and a buffet of gourmet desserts. See the article below for the list of AIANYS winners of the Tri-State Design Awards.

     The Friday Keynote Luncheon featured Stanley Tigerman, FAIA. "Mr. Tigerman's thoughtful lecture provided insight in the thought process of one of the most important architects of our time. His interest in spirituality and its impact on architectural form was truly a lesson for us all," said Kelly Hayes McAlonie, AIA, President Elect.

     AIANYS would like to thank all of the members from the following chapters who assisted with the continuing education classes during convention, whether it was making the introductions before the start of the class or actually serving as the moderator or presenter of the class, your help was much appreciated: AIA Buffalo/Western NY; AIA Central NY; Eastern NY; AIA Long Island; AIA New York; AIA Southern NY; AIA Staten Island and AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley.

     Special thank you also to the Tri-State Planning Committee, Laura Slmoka and all of our members who helped organize the event, as well as the exhibitors and sponsors who made the event possible!

     Save the date for the 2012 AIANYS Convention in historic Saratoga Springs September 27-29, 2012. This event will be held at the newly renovated Saratoga Springs City Center and adjoining Hilton Hotel and will feature three days of continuing education seminars, tours of sites throughout Saratoga, one day Product Showcase, keynote sessions and AIANYS Design Awards and Honor Awards presentations. Be sure to check www.aianys.org for updates!

     Special thanks to the Tri-State Convention Sponsors: Verizon, Phantom Screens, Zetlin & De Chiara, Powell Trachtman Logan Carrle & Lombardo, P.C., Hubbell Galvanizing, Prosurance Redeker Group Ltd., L'Abbate, Balkan, Colavita & Contini, L.L.P., Hurd Window Center, RPM Development Group, Shen Milsom Wilke, LLC, Roslyn Consultants, Submittal Exchange, United Water, Belgard Hardscapes, Naylor LLC, Faithful & Gould, Imaginit Technologies and Urban Digital Solutions.

Photo 1: Richard Meier, FAIA, the Opening Keynote Speaker with David Businelli, AIA, President. (Photo courtesy of Rick Bell, FAIA, Executive Director, AIANY)

Photo 2(left to right): Peter Arsenault, FAIA, Past President, Susan Chin, FAIA, Regional Director, Dennis A. Andrejko, FAIA, Vice President, AIA and Russell Davidson, AIA, Regional Director attended the 2011 AIANYS Design Awards Dinner.

Photo 3: David Mark Riz, AIA, Design Awards Jury Chair (left) and David Businelli, AIA, President (right) presented the Best in NYS Award to Dean/Wolf Architects, New York, New York for Inverted Warehouse/Townhouse, New York, New York.

Photo 4: Attendees enjoyed a buffet lunch as they visited with over 100 exhibitors at the 2011 Trade Show.

     The first ever Tri-State Design Awards were given out on September 22 at the Tri-State Design Awards Gala Reception during the convention. All three states, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania entered all of their 2011 Design Award recipients into the competition. A separate jury then convened and decided the winners. The jury was made up of Lawrence Chan, FAIA, Chan Krieger NBBJ (Jury Chair); Miltos Catomeris, AIA, Ellenzweig and Andrew Cupples, AIA, AECOM.

     There were two types of awards given out: Honor Awards: given at the jury's discretion for projects that exemplify the highest design quality in any category and Merit Awards: given to reward a project that bears an exceptional aspect or detail that the jury feels represents excellence which deserves specific honor.

     The award categories were: Architectural-Non-Residential; Architectural-Residential; Architectural-Unbuilt; Interior Architecture; Historic Preservation; Regional and Urban Design and Special Initiatives. Below are the winners from AIANYS. For a complete list of all of the Tri-State Design Award winners, click here.

Merit Award, Architectural Unbuilt, Tobacco Warehouse Adaptive Reuse, Brooklyn, NY, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture

Merit Award, Historic Preservation, 648 Broadway, New York, NY, Scott Henson Architect, LLC

     Delegates elected the officers, Regional Director and Associate Director at the Annual Meeting during the Tri State Convention on September 21, 2011.

President-Elect-F. Eric Goshow, AIA, AIA New York

Vice President, Government Advocacy-Timothy Boyland, AIA, AIA Staten Island

Vice President, Public Advocacy-Raymond Beeler, AIA, AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley

Secretary-Randolph Collins, AIA, AIA Eastern NY

Treasurer-Jeffery Smith, AIA, AIA Southern NY

Associate Director-Nicolette Feldser, Assoc. AIA, AIA Central NY

New York Regional Director-Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, AIA New York.

Kelly Hayes McAlonie, AIA, AIA Buffalo/Western NY will serve as President in 2012.

     The three finalists for the AIANYS Empire State Challenge presented their projects to the jury on Friday, September 23, 2011. The three finalists were AIA Central NY, AIA Peconic and AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley. Representatives from the chapter each gave a Powerpoint presentation to demonstrate the project they would like to advance with the prize money. The three jurors were: Peter Arsenault, FAIA, William Bobenhausen, FAIA, and Dennis Andrejko, FAIA.

     The winner of the 2011 Challenge is AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley for their project "Sustainable Design Database." The jury felt this project would spark interest in the local region and could potentially turn into a statewide program. There is also heavy chapter involvement and support. They will receive $5,000 to further their proposal. AIANYS will present the check to AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley at their 75th Anniversary Soiree on November 30, 2011.

     AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley gave the following statement: "We are excited that our Chapter's proposal to develop a Sustainable Design Database was selected as the winning entry in the 2011 AIANYS Empire State Challenge.

Our goal in developing the Sustainable Design Database is to promote the use of sustainable design strategies in the built environment through the sharing of information; to learn from the experience of existing projects in our region that have employed sustainable design concepts and to provide a place to go to for links to other informational resources and tools, relevant to sustainable design issues.

We think that the recognition and the prize money that comes with this award will be instrumental in our efforts to develop the Sustainable Design Database as the important online, accessible educational tool and informational resource for our members, our region's community leaders and planners and the general public that we envision it can be."

     The AIAWHV Sustainable Design Database Task Force consists of the following people: Steven Abbattista, PE; Valerie Brown, Hon. AIANYS; Gregg DeAngelis, AIA; George Gaspar, AIA; Christina Griffin, AIA; Craig Intinarelli, AIA; Marsha Leed, AIA; Stuart Markowitz, AIA; Carl Navarro, RA and William Pfaff, AIA.

     A webpage has been created on the AIANYS website for the chapters presentations. Go to: http://www.aianys.org/main/aianys-empire-state-challenge.shtml.

     The 2011 Empire State Challenge is sponsored by Seeyond Architectural Solutions.

Pictured left to right: The 2011 AIANYS Empire State Jury consisted of Peter Arsenault, FAIA, William Bobenhausen, FAIA and Dennis A. Andrejko, FAIA.

AIANYS Co-Sponsors Building in the 21st Century Series Case Studies in Public Construction Procurement

     AIANYS, along with Albany Law School, Town + Gown and New York City Bar held Building in the 21st Century Series Case Studies in Public Construction Procurement: At the Intersection of Built Environment Regulation and the "On the Ground" Reality on October 21, 2011 at the Albany Law School. This is the third program in the series, the first two were held in 2008 and 2009.

     Burt Roslyn, FAIA, Past President, AIANYS made the opening remarks. A panel discussion on Case Studies in Innovative Service Delivery featured Robert Flieger, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services as moderator. Russell Davidson, AIA, KG & D Architects and Regional Director served on the panel, along with Dr. Robert Jones, Economics Department, RPI; Howard Rosen, Partner, Peckar + Abramson; Frank DarConte, Vice President, WJ Northridge Construction Corporation and Jeff Hyman, Managing Director, Guggenheim Partners. The panel began with a brief history of the procurement laws in NYS. This was followed by examples of innovative service delivery from each panelist. Russ Davidson spoke about the need for Design Build and Integrated Project Delivery and spoke about a project that he designed as an example.

     Richard Anderson, President, New York Building Congress was the keynote speaker. He spoke about what it would take to make construction a viable economic engine in NYS. He emphasized the importance of rebuilding infrastructure while controlling costs and encouraging innovation in procurement for public projects.

     The day also featured a panel on Case Study in Reform-the Massachusetts Experience; Case Studies of Challenges Posed by Traditional Service Delivery and a Conceptual Roadmap to Fiscal Impact Analysis of Modernization-A Real Time Peer Review. Burton Roslyn, FAIA and Edward Farrell, Executive Director were members of the program's planning committee.

Pictured (left to right): Howard Rosen, Partner, Peckar + Abramson; Frank DarConte, Vice President, WJ Northridge Construction Corporation; Robert Flieger, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services; Burton Roslyn, FAIA, 2009 President AIANYS; Dr. Robert Jones, Economics Department, RPI and Russell Davidson, AIA, Regional Director made up the first panel at the Building in the 21st Century Program.

Photo 2: (left to right) Burton Roslyn, FAIA, Past President, AIANYS; Richard Anderson, President, New York Building Congress; Edward Farrell, Executive Director and Russell Davidson, AIA, Regional Director at the Building in the 21st Century Program.

     Governor Cuomo recently signed into law one of AIANYS' top legislative priorities, namely, authorizing non-licensed professionals to hold a minority share of ownership (not to exceed 25%) in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering or land surveying firms.

     "This new law allows New York firms to remain competitive with out-of-state firms which already enjoy this flexibility. While the law will not be utilized by all firms, it remains an additional resource for those who choose to take advantage of this new option," said David Businelli, AIA, President, AIANYS.

     The current law, requiring 100% licensed professional ownership, was among the most restrictive in the country. Soon, firms may extend the minority ownership option to individuals such as attorneys, information technology personnel, and business development specialists, among others. The president, CEO, and chair of the board of directors of these firms must continue to be licensed professionals.

     "This is a victory which the membership can claim credit for. Our efforts on lobby day, plus continued follow up, helped achieve this success. A special thanks goes to the bill sponsors, Senator Ken LaValle, and Assemblyman Ron Canestrari," said Eric Goshow, AIA, Vice President for Government Advocacy.

     The new law takes effect January 1, 2012. Firms which want to utilize the new statue will have to incorporate as a "design professional service corporation."

     The AIANYS Associates Standing Committee conducted the 2nd Annual Associate Member Survey during the summer of 2011 to help NYS components understand the demographics and needs of the Associate Members. The Committee has compiled the results into a summary report. Click here for the report.

     The results of this survey will be used to develop programming at the AIANYS level geared toward supporting this unique group of membership in 2012.

     ConvergenceNYC 2011: Possibilities is the annual event organized by Convergence Group, a committee comprised of members of the AIA NY Emerging New York Architects, in collaboration with the NY AIAS chapters geared toward college students studying Architecture in NYS.  This year the event will be held November 18-20, 2011. The theme Possibilities sets out to explore the different paths students can take as professionals, whether it is a traditional path or one focused on theoretical research, product design or the media to name a few.

     During this three day conference, students will have the opportunity to network with students from across the region and local NYC professionals, while attending panel discussions and workshops, visiting firms and exploring New York City. Participants will also be invited to attend the annual Dean's roundtable and the opening of the Arch Schools exhibit at the Center for Architecture, highlighting student work from schools from across NY State.   

     This program is sponsored by AIANYS, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture and is a 2011 AIA College of Fellows Emerging Professionals Component Grant Recipient. For more information about Convergence, email: convergencenyc@gmail.com.

     The Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA), AIA New York Chapter, is pleased to announce its 5th biennial design ideas competition, The Harlem Edge Cultivating Connections. This design ideas competition will explore the potential redevelopment of the decommissioned Department of Sanitation marine transfer station located in the Hudson River at 135th Street in New York City.

     The site offers the opportunity to engage the local Harlem community with the waterfront, and echoes recent efforts by New York City to reclaim the waterfront for a variety of publicly beneficial uses, as outlined in Department of City Planning's Vision 2020, and the Comprehensive Waterfront Action Plan for New York City.

     The competition is open to all design students and young professionals, including, but not limited to, architects, artists, engineers, landscape architects, urban designers and planners.

     Entrants are considered eligible if they have completed their education at the undergraduate or graduate level within the past 10 years of the competition announcement (September 1, 2011). The participants may be licensed individuals within their respective professions. The deadline for submissions is January 16, 2012. For more information, visit: www.enyacompetitions.org.

     AIA Buffalo/Western NY recently held their annual meeting at Bijou Grill in Buffalo. Edward Farrell, Executive Director and Francis Pitts, FAIA, Regional Director attended the meeting. Throughout the year, the three Regional Directors as well as the President, President-Elect and Executive Director have met with the chapters to discuss state and chapter issues.

Pictured (left to right): Edward Lindsay, AIA, Secretary, AIA Buffalo; Joseph Kedron, AIA, Treasurer, AIA Buffalo; Paul McDonnell, AIA, President, AIA Buffalo; Robert Stark, AIA, President-Elect; Edward Farrell, Executive Director, AIANYS and Francis Pitts, FAIA, New York Regional Director.

     The Director of the National Park Service has announced that the Robert T. Coles House and Studio in Buffalo's Hamlin Park neighborhood has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. This year is the earliest that it could be added to this prestigious list of the nation's most significant buildings.

     Designed by Coles, a longtime AIA Buffalo/Western NY member for his primary residence and architectural studio in 1961, the Modern-styled building has been home to Coles and his wife Sylvia for 50 years. The Park Service has recognized its pioneering architectural style.

     A Buffalo native, Coles is one of the nation's most prominent architects with a career spanning over half a century. He designed and built the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, University at Buffalo's Alumni Arena, transformed the former War Memorial Stadium into the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion and the Frank E. Merriwhether Library.

     The nomination was prepared by Architectural Historian Jennifer Walkowski and Clinton Brown, FAIA of Clinton Brown Company Architecture.

Photo of Robert T. Coles House and Studio in Buffalo's Hamlin Park.

Photo by: Jennifer Walkowski, Clinton Brown Company Architecture © 2011

     AIA launched a database earlier this month for potential investors of stalled building projects nationwide that make economic sense, but which lack the financing to be completed. The AIA announced this project in June as a participating member at CGI America, the first conference of the Clinton Global Initiative solely dedicated to economic issues impacting the United States.

     In order to build and analyze the database of stalled projects, the AIA established a survey that identified and analyzed stalled projects from around the country that could be moved forward on almost any front, but for the lack of financing.

     The AIA then analyzed and categorized the identified projects by various factors, including building type location (including those locations with a strong, skilled workforce), new construction versus retrofit, and impact on sustainability and livability goals. The AIA will work to identify opportunities for collaboration and financing to help move projects forward.    For more information, go to: http://www.aia.org/press/AIAB090153.

     The AIA Board Advocacy Sub-committee on Public Engagement has developed "template opinion pieces" which all AIA members can customize and submit as letters to the editor or as op-eds to local print and online media. 

     These letters or opinion pieces focus on an issue that has yet to receive coverage or in some cases respond to issues that have been covered in the media - such as jobs, small business stimulus, pending national legislation, sustainability, design relevance, etc. They are intended to assist you in speaking out on issues important to the profession.  

     To see the complete list of op-ed pieces, go to: http://www.aia.org/components/AIAB086495.

     The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a program that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive, was held at the National Mall's West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., September 23 through October 2, 2011. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

     Two Schools of Architecture in New York State had teams competing in this year's decathlon, City College of New York and Parsons: The New School for Design. Check out their projects on their websites: http://ccnysolardecathlon.com/  and http://parsit.parsons.edu/.

     Open to the public free of charge, visitors could tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today. University of Maryland was named the winner of the 2011 Decathlon.

     In response to the historic flooding and other conditions caused by Hurricane Irene and subsequent storms, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 21 temporarily suspending certain fees charged by the Education Department for replacement documents lost as a result of the disaster. Until further notice, the fees charged by the Education Department's Division of Professional Licensing Services (DPLS) for issuing duplicate license parchments and registration certificates are suspended for the replacement of documents lost as a result of the disaster.

     Also suspended are the fees charged by the Professional Corporations unit, including fees for the certificate of authorization (COA) issued to professional engineering or land surveying services or for certification of other professional entities.

     All requests for copies of any document or record on file with the Division of Professional Licensing Services or the Professional Corporations unit should indicate the document to be replaced was lost as a result of the disasters specified in Executive Order 21.

     If professional records that you are required, and have taken reasonable steps, to maintain safely are damaged or lost due to a disaster that it was beyond your power to prevent, the licensee would generally not be subject to a charge of professional misconduct. A new professional record for current patients/clients should be established and be maintained.

     To replace a lost or destroyed license parchment, call the Office of the Professions, Division Licensing Services, Records & Archives Unit, at (518) 474-3817, ext. 380.

     To replace a damaged, lost or destroyed registration certificate, contact the Registration Unit and request a replacement application at opregfee@mail.nysed.gov or

 518-474-3817, ext. 410.

National Associates Committee October Report

     The AIA National Associates Committee publishes a report every month sharing associate news and viewpoints. The October issue includes Updates from the Field, AIA Associates Award and Young Architect Nominations, Build Boston and Regional Spotlight.

     Click here to view the latest issue.

     AIANYS has an online calendar on the website that all chapters can now submit events to. It's easy and only takes a few minutes. Go to: http://aianys.org/members/index.php?m=1&p=1.

     You can also see what other Chapters are up to all around New York State.

     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 October: in district event for Senator Joseph Robach in Rochester.