AIA-NJ Responds to Star Ledger Article

The following is the letter sent from AIA New Jersey President Jason Kliwinski to the Star Ledger in response to an article giving mis-information on the use of an architect.  At the end of the letter is an image of the original article as printed in the Home Improvement section of the Star Ledger on June 17, 2010:

ROBBINSVILLE TOWN CENTER RECEIVES NEW JERSEY FUTURE SMART GROWTH AWARD

Project Team Awarded with New Town Center & Traditional Neighborhood Development Acknowledgement at Reception. At the recent New Jersey Future’s Smart Growth award reception held at the Newark Club, Sharbell Development Corporation, along with Feinberg and Associates, P.C., a Voorhees, N.J.-based architectural design firm, and the town of Robbinsville, N.J., received the award in the New Town Center & Traditional Neighborhood Development category for Robbinsville Town Center.  

 “Our primary goal for Robbinsville Town Center was to create a community-oriented property,” said Tom Troy, a principal of Sharbell Development Corporation. “It is an honor to have this project now recognized by New Jersey Future as a desirable place to live.”  

The team’s core goal for the winning project involved creating a walkable and friendly, yet diverse community. Housing styles within the center range from small-lot single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and loft units – integrating many options as well inclusionary affordable housing all in the same project. The result has attracted a wide range of residents – an appealing alternative to the typical “cookie cutter” community, where each home looks alike and each resident fits the same profile.  

“Robbinsville Town Center was designed to be a community where residents can easily access office buildings, stores and restaurants on foot,” stated Bill Feinberg, president of Feinberg and Associates. “This encourages a friendly environment where residents can get out and meet their neighbors.”  

New Jersey Future is a statewide research, policy and education group that advocates for sustainable growth, environmental preservation, neighborhood revitalization and transportation choice. Founded in 1987, New Jersey Future is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and the leading voice for promoting smart growth in New Jersey.  

For more information about Feinberg and Associates, visit www.feinbergdesign.com or call (856) 782-0100.

Philip S. Kennedy-Grant Elevated to American Institute of Architects College of Fellows

Bernardsville Architect Honored for Achievements, Contributions to Architecture

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 30) – Bernardsville, N.J.-based architect Philip S. Kennedy-Grant, FAIA, was among 134 American Institute of Architects (AIA) members who were recently elevated to its prestigious College of Fellows. Kennedy-Grant, a member of AIA’s New Jersey chapter (AIA-NJ), was recently invested at a ceremony in Miami, Fla., during the 2010 AIA National Convention.

The honor, which entitles recipients to use the designation FAIA after their names, is awarded to architects for their individual achievements, as well as for significant contributions to the profession and practice of architecture on the national level. Out of a national membership of more than 86,000, the honor of fellow has been conferred on only about 2,800 members.

“AIA-NJ is proud to have a member of the professional stature of Philip Kennedy-Grant elevated to the College of Fellows,” said Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEED AP, president of AIA-NJ. “Kennedy-Grant has made a mark not only as a designer of homes that honor American architectural traditions, but also as an artist focused on depictions of buildings and places and as a generous contributor to the architectural community.”

Kennedy-Grant could be described as a renaissance man. In addition to his architectural work, he also is an artist, a musician — he writes songs and plays guitar — and even a furniture designer. If a home he has designed requires a certain type of furniture, he will design it. In addition, he has devoted himself to volunteer activities in his local community, as well as for the state and national AIA.

Whether he is writing a song or designing a home, Kennedy-Grant’s creative process follows the same pattern: although his work rests on traditional underpinnings, he draws from the site, the surrounding environment and the needs, desires and personalities of his clients to create structures that, although they are rooted in the classic, don’t predictably follow the traditional path, but rather are sophisticated, fresh and new.

“I would describe myself as an American architect,” said Kennedy-Grant. “I take my inspiration from local history. I don’t need to be cutting edge. What I am after, however, is to do it right. I want the houses I design to last for 200 years. I know my buildings will age, but I want them to age well. My intention is not for a building to be frozen in a particular moment, but to create a lively human structure that will stand the test of time.”

Kennedy Grant has been the principal of Bernardsville-based Kennedy-Grant Architecture, Interior Design & Planning since 1988.

About 70 percent of the firm’s work is residential, and many of the homes and additions Kennedy-Grant has designed are in Bernardsville and the surrounding communities, which comprise the picturesque area known as the Somerset Hills, renowned for its country estates reflecting architectural styles, such as Arts and Crafts, Georgian, and Shingle Style, that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Although Kennedy-Grant’s designs draw from the area’s architectural heritage, they are adapted to the needs of today’s residents: “For instance, the homes designed in the Arts and Crafts style often had the kitchens in the basement, which is not something a contemporary resident would want,” he notes.

Some of Kennedy-Grant’s designs are for homes or additions that are relatively small. “I’m more interested in building well than building big,” he said. This statement was reinforced by that of architect Edward N. Rothe, FAIA, principal of Fletcher Thompson Architects and himself an AIA Fellow, in the letter to the AIA Jury of Fellows in support of Kennedy-Grant’s application. “What I most admire about Phil is his ability to consistently create significant architecture from small residential additions and unique renovation projects by seamlessly combining contemporary function with traditional detailing,” he said.

The need to reinforce a sense of community is also of great importance to Kennedy-Grant, both professionally and personally. On a professional level, he demands that the structures he designs reflect — and serve — the character of the communities in which they are located. On a personal level, he has devoted countless volunteer hours to his local community, as well as to the architectural community.

On the local level, Kennedy-Grant was founding chairman of the Bernardsville Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and served in the role of chairman from 2002 through May of last year. Shortly thereafter, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Somerset Art Association. He is also the past president of The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills.

On the professional level, Kennedy-Grant was chairman of the Design Awards Committee for the Newark and Suburban Architects section of AIA-NJ from 2007 through 2009, and is editing a guide to New Jersey’s 150 best buildings and places for AIA-NJ to be published by Rutgers University Press. AIA-NJ identified the state’s best buildings and places in 2007 in observance of the national organization’s 150th anniversary. He has also been active on the national AIA Committee on Design.

Kennedy-Grant has received 27 design awards for projects ranging from residences to renovations of historic structures and his work has been featured in national publications and in books. His paintings and drawings have frequently been the subjects of exhibitions, including an exhibit entitled “American Architects in Paris” at the Alliance Française in Washington, D.C., in 1999.

Kennedy-Grant graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and served in the Army Corps of Engineers. He attended the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind., where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the School of Architecture. He is an NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards)-certified architect and is licensed in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. He is also a licensed planner in New Jersey and has been a lecturer at the School of Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, N.J.

For more information on Kennedy-Grant, please visit the Web site at http://www.kennedygrantarchitecture.com.

President’s Corner

As you may have heard, the NJ Legislature and Governor have reached an agreement on the State budget to balance it while providing a modest surplus. This is truly an accomplishment given the prior status of the budget. No one is 100% happy and that is the nature of compromise I suppose. AIA-NJ has been monitoring the budget negotiations closely. There have been some decisions made which will impact the economic opportunities for our profession. The two major ones are in the area of energy efficiency programs and school construction. The budget and subsequent legislation intends to redirect and repurpose now and in the future, the rate payer funds we all contribute through the societal benefit charge on our utility bill to the NJ Clean Energy Program. The funds collected are ear marked for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Many architects have found work opportunities related to window, insulation, roof, and building system upgrades spurred by the NJCEP programs. The Governor is attempting to repurpose these rate payer funds to close the State’s budget gap. I am personally extremely concerned about this for to several reasons including loss and stalling of projects for design and construction in an already tough economy that will have a ripple through the industry, loss of direction to meet the State’s Green House Gas reduction and energy efficiency goals which costs us all money, and the lastly the arbitrary repurposing of funds from rate payers without their approval for purposes they were never intended for. The societal benefit charge is not a State tax, it is a rate payer surcharge which creates this collective fund for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for the greater good. The Mid Atlantic Sustainable Energy Industry Association has already filed a law suit to prevent this from happening. For more information on this action please contact MSEIA.

The second budgetary area of concern is the extreme cut in funding to our schools. This is an indirect property tax increase waiting to happen in my opinion. Additionally, many architects, contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers work in the school sector market. Many firms have already been severely affected by the freezing of ROD grants eliminating summer work typically counted on. ROD grants submitted a year ago are just being approved now in many cases. The ripple affect of this is as large, if not larger than the NJCEP issue. Beyond the obvious health, safety, and welfare of our children which many of the school projects pending approval are needed to address, the economic ramifications on the local economy are enormous. There is significant opportunity to improve the way the SDA oversees and constructs school projects, shifting dollars from program oversight to actual hard construction. AIA-NJ has engaged the SDA and Governor on this issue and is working to assist the State in creating a more efficient methodology to allow more construction projects to happen quicker. For more information on this please contact our Legislative and Government Affairs Committee.

AIA-NJ’s East Coast Green conference is moving along well. There are already over 20 vendors and sponsors signed up and growing and our program is receiving national recognition from AIA, BuildingGreen.com, and USGBC. Combined with AIA-NJ’s annual Design Day, one our goals of this conference is to showcase AIA-NJ architects to the public and assert our expertise in the green building market. Expanding our outreach and dialog for this event beyond a meeting of our peers will attract developers, owners, a decision makers to attend this conference and provide you with real business opportunities along with educational, professional development, and local and regional design recognition. Please take a moment to sign up before the early bird registration expires at www.aia-nj.org/ECG

Lastly, AIA-NJ has been diligent in protecting the practice of architecture. The President-Elect of the Newark and Suburban chapter, Yogesh Mistry, recently brought an erroneous and egregious article to the State’s attention which appeared in the Star Ledger advising home owners they did not need an Architect to do plans for new home construction and further asserting the services of an architect were too expensive. AIA-NJ acted swiftly in partnership with the Section and both submitted written letters of protest, along with our Regional Director, to the editor and author of the article. As a result a follow up article was already printed using much of the language from Yogesh’s letter from the Newark and Suburban Chapter correcting this illegal and unfounded advice. We have included the original article and the State’s response for your information. Please be diligent in defending the profession and bring any such incidents to our attention so we can respond appropriately. For this month, Yogesh Mistry, AIA, LEEDap has earned the AIA-NJ President’s member of the month commendation!

On a lighter note, our Nation’s birthday is coming up. Many local communities have family friendly activities. Have a safe, fun, and sustainable 4^th of July Holiday!

Sincerely,

Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEED AP

Image of original Star Ledger Article published June 17, 2010, below:

Sustainable Green Roof at 250 Hudson Street for NYC

Plant Fantasies and FXFOWLE Architects recently conducted a tour of the green roof at 250 Hudson Street for members of the Urban Green Council, the New York chapter of  the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Scott Melching, FXFOWLE project architect for 250 Hudson Street, and Michael Tull, landscape designer for Plant Fantasies, explained  the  sustainable aspects of the intensive and extensive green roof to tour participants. The fully tenant-accessible roof has spectacular views of the Hudson River, the New Jersey skyline and downtown Manhattan.

To create a prairie-like look that would last from spring through fall for the roof, Plant Fantasies President Teresa Carleo carefully selected plantings that are wind- and weather-resistant and will grow to the proper scale. For example, white crabapple trees will remain low, while Boston ivy vines and Clematis are shade-tolerant and intertwining. Tull and Melching noted that the green roof significantly

reduces the heat island effect of paved roofs, making the building warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer; features self-irrigating and drainage systems; and uses dense, non-decaying woods as trellises.  The renovated building that once housed a printing press is owned by Jack Resnick & Sons, owner/developers who focus on sustainability at all properties.

“The exquisite natural setting is sure to enhance both the morale and productivity of the building’s tenants,” said tour participant Karen Hotte, a representative for DuPont Building Innovations.

Kitchen & Associates providing planning and design services for two, HOPE VI Revitalization grant projects

Collingswood, NJ (June 3, 2010) – Two major urban revitalization projects being designed by a local architectural firm were awarded HOPE VI Revitalization grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HOPE VI funding program was developed in 1992 to transform severely distressed public housing developments into viable, mixed-income communities and to change the shape of public housing. Kitchen & Associates Architectural Services, PA (K&A) is a 50-person firm based in Collingswood, NJ. The firm is providing planning, architectural and engineering services to the Jersey City Housing Authority for the final phases of the A. Harry Moore Development in Jersey City, NJ, and is the implementing Architect and Engineer for phases I and II of Miller Homes in Trenton, NJ for the Housing Authority of Trenton.

This year, 44 agencies throughout the United States applied for the 2009 HOPE VI Revitalization Program. Only six public housing authorities nationwide were awarded funding which totals $113.6 Million.

About Kitchen & Associates Architectural Services, PA: Kitchen & Associates Architectural Services, PA (K&A) is an architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design firm with 50 employees currently on staff. With office locations in Collingswood, NJ and Philadelphia, PA, K&A has been providing successful design solutions to our clients for almost 40 years. K&A’s specialized design studios include: Residential, Senior Living, Healthcare, Educational, Commercial, Civic/Government and Community Development.  For additional information call 856-854-1880, or visit the website at www.kitchenandassociates.com.

Princeton Charter School

McEntee Resigns, Interim Executive Director Named

Convention News

David Del Vecchio, AIA

McEntee Resigns, Interim Executive Director Named

Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Christine McEntee will leave the Institute July 23, 2010 to become Executive Director of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), an international non-profit scientific association dedicated to furthering the sciences of geophysics through individual efforts and in cooperation with other scientific organizations.

Pamela Kaul of Association Strategies, Inc. will head the search effort for a replacement, working closely with the following Search Committee.

Committee Chair: Thompson (Thom) Penny, FAIA

AIA Board of Directors – Class of 2010:  Pamela Touschner, FAIA

AIA Board of Directors – Class of 2011: Paul Mankins, FAIA

AIA Board of Directors – Class of 2012: Susan Chin, FAIA

AIA Board Executive Committee and Secretary: Stephen Loos, FAIA

AIA Member-at-Large: Ken Ross, Jr., FAIA

Associate Member: Ted Landsmark, Assoc. AIA

CACE Representative: Michael Waldinger                 

Component Leader: Michael Del Rio, AIA                   

Ex-Officio Members

AIA President George H. Miller, FAIA      

AIA President-elect Clark Manus, FAIA

Vice President, Human Resources: Michael Hoagland

Paul W. Welch, Jr., Hon. AIA, will serve as interim Executive Vice President/CEO of the AIA, effective July 19, 2010. Paul is the well-respected and effective Executive Vice President of the AIA California Council, the Institute’s largest State Component. Paul will continue in this role through the successful conclusion of a national search to fill the position made vacant by the departure of Chris McEntee. He will coordinate closely with the AIA staff, Components, and elected leadership to ensure a smooth transition when a permanent Executive Vice President/CEO is selected.

Paul will assume the full legal and fiduciary responsibilities of the AIA EVP/CEO position, including managing the national Component staff, annual operating budget and AIA programs, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Institute. His long-time experience and perspective leading an AIA Component will be especially valuable in ensuring that members needs remain our highest priority.

He brings nearly three decades of experience leading the AIACC as well as a strong background in public service having served as the Executive Officer for the California State Board of Architectural Examiners from 1978 to 1981, and earlier as Director of Consumer Affairs for the California counties of Stanislaus and Monterey.

Annual Election of the Executive Committee of the AIA

The results of the election of new Executive Committee members of the Institute were announced at the Convention. The new members of the 2011 Executive Committee are:

First Vice President / President Elect              Jeffery Potter, FAIA

Vice Presidents                                                           Dennis Andrejko, FAIA

                                                                                           John Padilla, AIA

Secretary                                                                       Helene Dreiling, FAIA

The successful candidates will join Clark D. Manus, FAIA, as he automatically ascends to the office of President of the Institute, and the rest of the Executive Committee completing their terms:

Vice Presidents                                     Mickey Jacob, FAIA

                                                                      Peter Kuttner, FAIA

Treasurer                                                  John W. Rogers, AIA, ACHA

AIA Annual Business Meeting Actions

At the annual business meeting of the Institute on Saturday, June 12, 2010, the following actions were taken by the delegates accredited to vote.

Bylaws Amendments

Per the Institute Bylaws, approval is required by two-thirds of ALL votes accredited to be cast. That total was 4617; two-thirds of which is 3078.

Bylaws Amendment 10-A

Abbreviation of Titles of Associate and International Associate Members

Passed (3861 in favor, 6 against, 111 abstained)

Bylaws Amendment 10-B

Electronic Voting at Meetings of the Institute

Passed (3986 in favor, 0 against, 0 abstained)

Bylaws Amendment 10-C

Member Dues Payment Plan

Passed (3744 in favor, 53 against, 0 abstained)

Bylaws Amendment 10-D

Associate Members as Regional Directors on the Institute’s Board of Directors

Failed (2727 in favor, 1022 against, 21 abstained)

Resolutions

Per the Institute Bylaws, resolutions require approval by a majority vote of those present and voting.

Resolution 10-1, Representation by Proxy

Passed (3198 in favor, 541 against, 365 abstained)

Resolution 10-2, Establish a Task Force on a National Convention Location Strategy

Passed (3269 in favor, 558 against, 57 abstained)

Resolution 10-3, Support for Development of the International Green Construction Code

Passed (3533 in favor, 124 against, 137 abstained)

Resolution 10-4, A Call to Action (amended at the meeting)

Failed (1191 in favor, 2391 against, 55 abstained)