12 minute read
AIA New York State Updates
Updates
Government Advocacy
This past year was an ebb and flow as the world watched events unfold in Washington D.C. New York state began the year with red ink totaling some $15 billion and ended the year flush due to higher-than-expected tax collections and massive state and local aid stemming from the American Rescue Plan Act passed at the federal level. Autumn brought the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, promising a $550 billion investment over the next five years. AIANYS members played an important role in the success of the infrastructure bill via their participation in AIA’s Virtual Capitol Hill Day and through their response to numerous calls to action and letter writing campaigns to their members of Congress. Turning to 2022, AIANYS looks forward to helping the AIA in its advocacy for increased federal capital construction aid for schools, universities, hospitals, and affordable housing.
State of Success | Undeterred by the pandemic, volunteer advocates were resilient and resolute in the effort to meet the year’s policy objectives. This resilience involved adaptation to new ways to connect with legislators and their staff. For the first time ever, AIANYS held its annual Advocacy Day virtually, where participants held meetings with the Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins and other leadership in both houses of the Legislature. These efforts were echoed and amplified throughout the month of May, as local chapters engaged in a series of Local Advocacy Days. Advocates touted the involvement and power of architectural design in making buildings safe, healthy, sustainable, and resilient. Specifically, members pressed legislators to support the Safe Schools by Design Act, the Emergency Responder Act, and urged them to invite architects to the table for infrastructure investment and community planning discussions. AIANYS assumed the mantle and debate surrounding school safety with the successful introduction of the Safe Schools by Design Act, aimed at unifying policymakers around the power of design in making our schools both safe and welcoming learning environments. This bill made strides in its first year as a two-house proposal, gaining sponsors and stoking the intrigue of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. The campaign was complemented by a four-part education series “Reimagining School Design,” which brought together architects, educators, administrators, safety experts, psychologists, and other stakeholders to examine ways to shift the school environment paradigm toward a more holistic approach to address safety and student well-being. One of the major legislative victories of the year came with the passage of the $3 billion Environmental Bond Act. As a member of the New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs Coalition, AIANYS teamed with the environmental community to support the Environmental Bond Act, which invests hundreds-of-millions of dollars into green building projects and is estimated to create up to 65,000 jobs. Governor Hochul recently announced a commitment to increase the bond to $4 billion in the 2022-23 Executive Budget proposal. If voters approve the bond measure as part of the 2022 General Election ballot, the State will be in a prime position to leverage federal infrastructure aid and possibly exceed initial job creation estimates. The second legislative victory was secured when the governor signed the Architect Continuing Education Modernization bill into law this past November. Developed in collaboration with the State Board for Architecture, this update to the continuing education law will provide architects with enhanced flexibility to obtain continuing education credit through online learning. Architects will also be able to transfer up to six credits from one triennium registration period to the next and eligible to receive a full exemption from the requirement if a good cause can be established with the State Education Department. Further, the passage of this law will open the regulatory process and allow architects to comment on the update and offer recommendations to reform the definition of “continuing education” and expand it to other areas of practice deemed essential to the future of the profession.
2022: Challenges & Opportunities | 2022 will be
politically charged with the State elections and Congressional mid-terms in November. Newly drawn district maps and a surge in primary challenges will increase the likelihood for distraction and a desire by legislators to depart Albany to campaign. This means much of the substantive policy work will likely be wedged into the budget process running from January up until the budget is due on March 31. Despite the shortened work period for legislators, 2022 will be a watershed year for action on climate, as the Climate Action Council released its massive draft Scoping Plan aimed at meet-
ing the State’s goals to significantly reduce greenhouse has emissions. Public comment on the plan is currently underway and six public hearings on the draft plan will be held around the state over the next several months. The release of the plan provides a golden opportunity for architects to weigh-in on the proposals and help shape the future of New York’s energy and economic future. Some of the main recommendations include a major push to mandate building electrification in new buildings, the use of low-embodied carbon building materials, smart growth land use planning, and the integration of building decarbonization curriculum in architecture and engineering programs at public universities. The last two legislative sessions were dominated by concerns borne out of the pandemic. The state veered away from driving off a fiscal cliff with the help of significant federal assistance and the economy appears to be improving for much of the country. However, supply chain issues, employee retention, and the fluctuation of the architectural billings index in the Northeast is having a chilling effect on hopes for increased growth and profitability. AIANYS looks forward to reengaging lawmakers in meaningful discussions on a host of issues affecting the profession, and continuing the drive to elevate and advance members’ interests in Albany.
Communications & Public Awareness
This past year, the communications team implemented a successful plan that shared focused content with our members, non-members and the public. A breakdown of our successes are included below. Communication Vehicles | Twenty-four issues of the e-news digital newsletter were in 2021. With 8,000 active subscribers and a 99% delivery rate, the YTD open rate is 64% and the YTD click rate is 4%. Over the fourth quarter (October 1 – December 31), 80 email campaigns were sent out to members, non-members, allied partners and potential sponsors totaling 558,459 sends; 157,519 opens and 5,065 clicks. The open rate was 30% (3% above industry avg.) and the click rate was 1% (-1% below industry avg.). The third issue of the quarterly publication, published at the end of September focusing on , received 1,897 impressions and 502 reads. The latter part of the year continued focusing on increasing our social media presence. A social media campaign was implemented highlighting the 2021 Design Award recipients each day throughout November and December. Our Social Media increased across four channels with a 34.4% increase in reach on Facebook; a 100% increase in reach on Instagram; a 60.8% increase in impressions on Twitter and a 65% increase in page views on LinkedIn. The goal is to continue expanding our reach in 2022 through a visibility campaign. Assistance Resource Guide will serve as a resource for chapters and members to better understand their role in preparing for and responding to disasters throughout New York State. The Disaster Assistance Resource Guide Work Group, led by Tim Boyland, AIA and comprised of volunteer members, finalized the draft content and will secure an outside editor to review and comment on the document in 2022.
Honor Awards Program Review | The Honor Awards
Task Force was established to review the current nomination process, submittal guidelines and awards and propose revisions in order to enhance and improve the program. The Task Force implemented updates to the James William Kideney Gold Medal Award; the Matthew W. DelGaudio Service Award; and the AIANYS Firm Award. The Honor Awards celebration occurred in conjunction with the Board Installation ceremony held virtually on January 20. The Task Force plans to continue its efforts in 2022 where they will focus on updating the remaining awards. General Communications & Awareness |
Communication and outreach included the development of a press release responding to Governor Hochul’s State of the State address on January 5. In addition, press releases were developed for the announcement of the 2022 AIANYS President, the 2022 AIANYS Board, and the 2021 Honor Award recipients. Goals for 2022 | AIA New York State is planning a website redesign this year. The successful completion of this project will help us to raise the visibility and promote the value of architects to targeted audiences by profiling members, firms and projects; position leadership and members as subject matter experts and the voice of architecture; increase active member volunteer participation; build on the recognition and reputation of the AIA brand and promote strength and industry cohesion; and reinforce and share member benefits through a member’s only section. In addition, the team plans to develop a Communications Plan to Promote Subject Matter Experts and Support the 2022 Visibility Campaign. As part of the plan, we will align the quarterly publication with themes that support AIANYS initiatives including: Connecting Community; Education; Climate Action; and subject matter expert content from Healthcare, Small Firm and Legal Conference or Symposiums.
Emerging Professionals
In December, the Emerging Professionals Committee selected the 2021 recipients of the AIANYS John A. Notaro Memorial Scholarship. This annual program, in partnership with AIA’s Component Matching Scholarship Grant Program, serves as a way of engaging and recognizing students who will soon be emerging professionals in design, giving the opportunity to interact, share ideas and concepts with professionals, to advance our every evolving profession.
Recipients of the 2021 Scholarships were recognized at the 2021 AIANYS Honor Awards virtual celebration held on January 20th. Four students that presented two projects were selected. Ahmed Helal, Bachelor of Architecture student with the City College of New York, Spitzer School of Architecture submitted “Monumentality and Public Space.” The project looks at the stories monuments tell and asks the question, “What are the narratives that we are shaping and re-telling in our present, what is the interplay between monumentality and the people, and how do we create new monuments that are as diverse as we are?” The second project awarded was a joint effort between Albert Vargas, Farai Matangira and Oliver Hadi, Bachelor of Architecture students at the New York City College of Technology. The project, “Cyber Campus,” was the outcome of their design studio that emphasized the development of environmentally sustainable design approaches and high-performance building practices. The project scope entailed the development of a research facility that would provide a variety of spaces for TESLA Inc and its affiliated companies, while also incorporating public outreach programs that would benefit the public. Goals for 2022 | The Emerging Professionals team created a number of goals for the coming year to serve the EP members. Members can look forward to a fresh series of episodes of our podcast, EP Architalk; education programs specifically targeted at the early career architect; and scholarship programs for both students and Associate members. Specific to our scholarship programs, we plan to expand the program for students enrolled in an architecture program in a community colleges. Members can be on the look out for a survey to enable us to identify the specific nature of our upcoming programming and how best to engage with you all.
Education
AIA New York State’s mission to provide members with high quality and relevant continuing education programs was in full swing throughout 2021. We offered seven webinars, a four-part Re-Imagining School Design Symposium, two Safety Assessment Programs, three NYS Code Update programs, five business related webinars, a Tri-State Conference that included 13 sessions and three keynote speakers and 25 bi-weekly Oldcastle APG University programs. More than 3,000 participants attended these programs. This past year’s programs included: February | Alternative Forms of Contract: A Practical Guide to Architectural Agreements presented by David Kosakoff, Esq, of Kosakoff Cataldo LLP and Michael Spinelli, Esq. of Nassau Suffolk Engineering & Architecture, PLLC March | Returning to the Workplace: Considerations for Employers During the COVID-19 Pandemic presented by Haley Dryer, Esq. and Thomas Wassel, Esq. of Cullen and Dykman LLP April | Re-Imagining School Design: Adaptation & Transformation of Healthy Learning Environments (4 part series) May | How Your Firm Can Work with DASNY on Small Projects featured Sandy Daigler of DASNY moderating a panel discussion with Terrence O’Neal, FAIA of tonab architecture pllc, Bart Trudeau, AIA of Trudeau Architects pllc, David J. Meyer, PE of Pathfinder Engineers & Architects and from DASNY Chris Currey, Kara Mallard, Michael Clay, and John Savona, AIA, BD-C, Architect, DASNY; How to Think Like a Lawyer presented by David B. Kosakoff, Esq., LEED AP of Kosakoff & Cataldo LLP, and Stephanie Reda, Esq., of Everest Insurance; August | Introduction to Lean Construction & Design presented by Sam Spata, AIA of EXYTE Group, Jason Beach of GLOBAL FOUNDRIES and Kyle Price of WWPS; Hybrid Work Environment Best Practices presented by the Technology and Culture Discussion groups moderated by Evelyn Lee, FAIA and included program panelists: Jessica Sheridan, AIA, of Mancini Duffy, Diana Nicklaus, AIA of SAAM Architecture and Jennifer L. Massey, SPHR of Integra HR LLC. October | Basic Design by the 2020 Building Codes New York State presented by Laura Cooney remained one of most popular programs with members. December | Driving Change Through Technology presented by the Technology Discussion Group moderated by Effrie Escott, Associate in the Research Group at Timberlake Kiernan and included panelists Ricardo Rodriguez, Associate AIA, an At-Large Representative, AIA National Strategic Council, Violet Whitney, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and Director of Product Management at Sidewalk Labs and Patrick Chopson, Co-founder, covetool. The Tri-State Conference: Return to the Future, also in December, provided 13 education programs and three keynote presentations. Architects from the Tri-State area were also recognized for their architectural excellence during the Tri-State Architectural Design Awards. Ongoing |The Oldcastle APG Online University’s bi-weekly webinar series continued their programs through December. They were provided at no additional cost and offer 1.0 HSW/LU credits. Upcoming Programs in 2022 | AIA New York State, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the New York Construction Materials Association are presenting three live webinars at no additional cost to members. The first webinar is scheduled for February 3 on the “Top 10 Ways to Reduce Concrete’s Footprint.” The other webinars are scheduled for Thursday, March 3 and Thursday, April 7. First Energy, in cooperation with AIA New York State, AIA Pennsylvania and AIA New Jersey will be presenting a webinar on the value of energy analysis on Tuesday, February 15. If you have a topic that could be developed into a live, interactive program, contact Mike Cocca, Director of Education & Marketing at mcocca@aianys.org to discuss your topic. We are also planning to schedule more Safety Assessment Programs, NYS Code Update programs, a healthcare symposium, and a small firm symposium.
DEC ’21 | JAN ‘22
ARCHITECTURE NEW YORK STATE is a quarterly publication developed by AIA New York State, 50 State Street, Albany, NY 12207
