For 2014, the AIANYS Annual Convention will now be a Design Conference. It will be held October 9-11, 2014 in Saratoga Springs. The theme for the inaugural conference is "New Practice/New Design," an exploration of the dramatic changes architects are seeing in the Practice of Architecture and the innovative design work that results.

     The Design Conference will include: an Opening Night Party on October 9, 2014; two Keynote events Thursday, October 9 and Saturday, October 11, 2014; the Trade Show on October 10, 2014 and the Design Awards Dinner on October 10, 2014. AIANYS is partnering with New York State's Schools of Architecture to make this Design Conference a meaningful convergence of Practice and Theory, Practitioners and Academics.

     Be sure to check www.aianys.org for updates.

Good Samaritan Act on the Move

     The Good Samaritan Act (S.3942-A Hannon/A.4380-B Englebright) cleared its first hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, February 4^th, passing the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs committee unanimously. This bill would provide commonsense immunity from liability to architects and other design professionals engaged in disaster recovery and response.

Chapter Advocacy Commendations

     AIA Rochester and AIA New York should be commended for their advocacy efforts in February. AIA Rochester met with three high ranking State legislators regarding the Good Samaritan Act and other priority issues. AIANY met with Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, Chair of the NYS Assembly Higher Education committee. The Higher Education committee is the starting point for all legislation dealing with the professions. Chapter advocacy and grassroots organization are crucial to any vibrant government advocacy program.

2014-15 Executive Budget Proposal Highlights

• $137 billion budget (1.7% increase)

• $1.7 billion in proposed tax cuts

• Denial of professional license renewal for tax delinquents

• Design-Build reauthorization for vertical infrastructure

• $5 billion in federal disaster aid

• $100 million for affordable housing programs

• Ambitious energy efficiency targets for public buildings

• $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act for capital improvements and tech purchases

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) full tuition scholarships                                                                 

 AIA Grassroots Legislative Conference March 19-21, 2014

     AIA will be holding their annual Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. from March 19^th-21^st. State components from around the country will travel to D.C. to meet with their federal representatives to discuss issues vital to the architecture profession. State components will be discussing energy efficiency tax incentives/initiatives, government procurement reform, student loan forgiveness, infrastructure investment, and model building codes for natural disaster resiliency.

     By donating to the NYS Architects Political Action Committee (NYSAPAC), you have helped to fund the opportunity for AIANYS to support the following events in February: Senator Mark Grisanti (AIA Buffalo-WNY), Senator John Bonacic (AIA Southern NY), Senator Martin Golden (AIA Brooklyn), Senator Bill Larkin (AIA Westchester-Hudson Valley), Senator Ken LaValle (AIA Peconic), Senator Joe Griffo (AIA Central NY), Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley), Assemblyman Herman Farrell (AIANY), Assemblyman Brian Kolb (AIA Rochester), Assemblyman Sheldon Silver (AIANY), Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (AIA Central NY), Assemblyman Michael Cusick (AIA Staten Island), Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (AIA Buffalo-WNY) and NYS Senate Republican Campaign Committee.

     The date for the 2013 Architects in Albany Lobby Day has been set-April 29, 2014! This is your chance to meet with your legislators one-on-one and discuss issues that are important to all architects. More information will be forthcoming so be sure to check www.aianys.org for updates!

     AIA elevated 139 AIA members and 4 international to its prestigious College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made contributions of national significance to the profession.
 

     Fellowship is conferred on architects with at least 10 years of membership in the AIA who have made significant contributions in the following areas: the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession; the standards of architectural education, training, and practice; the building industry through leadership in the AIA and other related professional organizations; advancement of living standards of people through an improved environment; and to society through significant public service.  They will be invested in the College of Fellows at the 2014 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Chicago in June.
 

     The following are the 2014 Fellows from New York State:

AIA New York

Morris Adjmi; Andrew Diamond Berman; Nestor Bottino; Deborah Gans; Fanny T. Gong; Robert Arthur King; Rafael Pelli; Peter Pennoyer; Jennifer Sage; Henry Smith-Miller and Jonathan N. Stark.

Robert Shibley, FAIA, Receives 2014 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture

     Robert Shibley, FAIA has received the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture from AIA. He is the dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York and also the campus architect. In 1990, he founded the Urban Design Project and for 23 years has led the group in re-envisioning Buffalo's downtown, a plan known as the Queen City Hub, its waterfront and its Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park system.

     As campus architect, he led the effort to create the university's first three-campus comprehensive master plan since the 1970s. His efforts tied into a long-term strategic plan known as UB 2020, to enhance the university's competitiveness.

     He has authored, co-authored or edited 11 books, 12 book chapters and more than 100 articles on urban design, placemaking and design research. Shibley has received numerous awards including UB's President's Medal, the Robert and Louise Bethune Award from AIA Buffalo/Western NY and the 2013 AIANYS Educator Award.

     The 2014 Thomas Jefferson Award recipients are celebrated for their commitment to public architecture as an integral part of the nation's cultural heritage.

     AIA New York's Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee spearheaded the Post-Sandy Initiative which is a collaborative effort of many disciplines working toward the advancement of resilient architecture and urban design in New York City's waterfront communities.

     The initiative brought together a variety of organizations to not only share and compile best practices, but to further the conversation about resiliency, sustainability and the role and responsibility of design and architecture.

     Following Superstorm Sandy, AIANY sprang into action to provide support complementing the public-sector response to the storm, bringing professional expertise and resources to aid in disaster response and convening a broad dialog in the design community to grapple with short and long term effects of recovery and rebuilding.

     The expertise provided by AIANY and others enabled city agencies to respond more quickly and precisely by swiftly enacting emergency changes to zoning and other construction regulations. AIANY's efforts also raised awareness of the critical issues that government, professionals and citizens must address in making coastal neighborhoods more resilient to flooding and other climate risks. 

     You have until March 31, 2014 to renew your AIA membership! After this date, your membership will lapse. To renew your membership online, go to: http://www.aia.org/renew/. 

     All renewing members are eligible to participate in the 2014 Dues Installment Plan. Enroll by April 30, 2014 and pay your membership dues in installments. 2014 dues must be paid in full by June 30, 2014. For more information, go to the frequently asked questions about dues installment plan at: http://www.aia.org/about/AIAB081429.         

     The AIA Regional Recovery Working Group's next workshop will be held on March 31, 2014 on the NYIT campus in Old Westbury, New York. This workshop will focus on Coastal Communities the tools for resilient reconstruction. Participating organizations include: AIANYS, AIANJ, AIANY - DfRR, AIA CT, AIA National, AFH, HUD, ORLI - NYIY RAMP - Pratt and NYC-DCP Housing Recovery Center.

     This day-long workshop is geared for stakeholders across the four state region working in coastal communities at all scales of rebuilding and planning. The Working Group's ongoing mission is to share experience and case studies of recovery efforts across the region, highlight good practices, notes changes to building codes, along with updates to state and federal procedures, financing and opportunities. Attendees will gain real tools for rebuilding and insight into codes and regulations.

     There is a morning session with 3 one hour presentations from practitioners in the coastal zones, along with regional updates from New York State Code Official Ronald Peister, FEMA Regional Recovery Team, HUD Director for Recovery Henk Ovink and Regional Recovery Director Architecture for Humanity, Rachel Minnery.

     The afternoon session will have attendees Charrette 5 typical building types from the Housing Recovery Center. The results of which will assist in finalizing a document that will propose code and zoning changes throughout the region.

     Workshop will convene at 8:30 AM with the first presentation starting at 9:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM. Light Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.

     This Regional Recovery Workshop is the second of its kind in the series. The first was July 9, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey highlighting urban issues we face across the region. There is a third workshop planned for late May 2014 in Florim Park, NJ and will highlight transportation and infrastructure.

     There is no charge to attend this program. For more information, contact Illya Azaroff, AIA at ia.pluslab@gmail.com.

     AIA Long Island will be holding their 12^th annual Product Fair on Thursday, April 10^th starting at Noon at the Uniondale Marriott Hotel & conference Center, 101 James Doolittle Blvd., Uniondale, NY. For more information, go to: http://www.aialongisland.com/.

      AIA Southern NY, the Preservation League of NYS, Market Street Restoration and Corning's Gaffer District are holding a two day conference titled From Main Street to Eco-Districts: Greening Our Communities in celebration of Market Streets Restoration's 40^th anniversary May 20-21, 2014 in Corning.  

     This conference includes Rethinking Downtowns Through a Green Lens symposium and Making Upper Floors Works Again workshop, as well as keynote speakers Kaid Benfield, Norman Mintz and Dr. Mike Powe, tours throughout Corning and plenary sessions.

     You can earn up to 15 continuing education credits from AIA, GBCI and APA/AICP. Online registration opens on March 1, 2014. For more information, go to: https://sites.google.com/a/aiasny.org/chapter-programs/.

     In January, the AIA hosted the 2014 Emerging Professionals Summit in Albuquerque. The event brought together thought leaders from across the profession to address how practice culture can be shaped to prepare current and future architects for their role in society.

     For more information and the Summit Communications Kit, go to: http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB101657.

Spotlight on Emerging Professionals

Name: Illya Azaroff, AIA                            

Title: New York Regional Director Young Architects Forum, Co-Chair DfRR Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee.                          

Chapter: New York              

Where do you live? Brooklyn

Are you a Native New Yorker? If not, when & why did you move here?

No I am not a native New Yorker. I moved to New York from Germany in 1995 to go to Graduate School at Pratt. Before Germany I lived in Nebraska where I grew up.

What is your favorite place or space?

I am not a classicist but the Basilica di Sant' Ambrogio in Milan is one that sticks in my mind, its perfect harmony of space in the front courtyard just floors you.

Why is the AIA important (for architects? For the general public?)?

The AIA serves as a strong voice for the industry that advocates for betterment of the profession and a visible leader for large scale change in the built environment.

How/When did you first learn about the AIA? Why did you choose to join?

Many of my professors and mentors in undergraduate school belonged to the AIA, and that was my first introduction. I joined because the late, great Margaret Helfand, FAIA, challenged me to join at an AIA mixer. And it made sense because I had just moved to New York and I wanted to connect with the architecture community- being an "outsider" or newcomer is difficult.

Who or what inspired you to become an architect?

Not just one, but really many forces shaped me in this direction. My father was an engineer and so problem solving and building with my hands were part of my early years. Couple that with being exposed to many forms of art and having had the opportunity to explore many different artistic disciplines, I naturally began to think about being an architect early on. Finally, the notion of the value of what an architect does was thrust to the forefront of my mind through a high school English essay that asked, Who is needed to build for the future? And the indispensable answer was always architect, that person who could not only build, but build to support a better society and reflect the culture of that society.

What has been your favorite AIA activity or program thus far? What do you like most about the AIA?

There are several but serving on the YAF - Young Architects Forum and forming the AIA regional recovery working group have been very satisfying. I have been able to meet fellow recovery specialists and emerging professions throughout the region.

If someone granted you the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

That is a tough question there are many places for different reasons but I would have to say St. Petersburg Russia. My family has some history there.

Who is your favorite architect/designer/artist?

Great question, my favorite changes often, currently I am interested in the work of designer Jean Prouve.

It goes without saying that we all love architecture. What do you find most inspiring about the profession?

Architecture is, at its best, a reflection of culture and has the ability to elevate society and ways of living for all. I am inspired by my fellow architects who commit themselves to serving a greater good, answering the difficult questions of our time, such as rising tides, population displacement and climate change. It is through architecture that we can take these challenges on in a very real way.

In one sentence, why should people get involved in/join the AIA?

If practitioners are seeking to being part of their community of fellow design professionals including knowledge sharing you should join. Its really that simple knowing that that you are not alone as a practitioner and there are many fellow design professionals willing to help you grow into your career.

     Did you know that AIANYS has a Facebook page? Be sure to Like the page and follow for updates at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AIA-New-York-State/1390275457857884.

     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.   

     AIANYS would like to welcome corporate allied member:

New York Building Congress, Richard Anderson, 44 West 28^th Street, 12^th Floor, New York, NY 10001, Phone: 212.481.9230 Website: www.buildingcongress.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.