Design Conference 2012 – KieranTimberlake : Inquiry

Keynote Speaker Stephen Kieran, FAIA 

Stephen Kieran, FAIA, AIA-NJ 2012 Design Conference keynote speaker

The AIA-NJ 2012 Design Conference keynote  session is titled  “KieranTimberlake: Inquiry”.   Stephen Kieran, FAIA, one of the senior partners of KieranTimberlake Architects, Philadelphia, PA, will discuss  inquisitive approaches to clients’ needs, as well as the needs of the environment, and how that has broadened the firm’s vision of the relationship between process, craft, and form.

Established in Philadelphia in 1984, KieranTimberlake is an internationally recognized architecture firm, recipient of numerous honors including the 2008 AIA Architecture Firm Award and 2010 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award.  By undertaking a path of research into new materials and potential technologies that alter fabrication and delivery methods and influence the way we live in our environ- ments, KieranTimberlake reshapes our expectations of architecture.

The 2012 Design Conference is scheduled for September 13, 2012, at the Berkeley Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ.  Other speakers include Frank Grauman, FAIA, Senior Partner, Bohlin, Cywinski & Jackson, Philadelphia, PA; William Loose, AIA, Partner, Bohlin, Cywinski & Jackson, Philadelphia, PA; and Charles Renfro, AIA, Partner, Diller Scofido & Renfro, New York, NY.    

The day also includes a tour highlighting the redevelopment of the Asbury Park boardwalk.  The full day program has been approved for 6 AIA LUs and pending approval for GBCI credit.

Find out more information or register online – www.aia-nj.org

Service Awards Nominations

AIA-NJ annual Service Awards are given to recognize accomplishments of individuals and firms that have provided distinguishes service to the profession and to the Society. They are designed to focus on the accomplishments of members and non-members on issues of public awareness of the built environment, service to the community and other non-design aspects of Architecture.

Nominations for 2012 awardees are open for 2012 Service Award nominations –

Find out more information or download submission forms
Deadline for submissions – August 28, 2012

A Letter from AIA EVP/CEO Robert Ivy, FAIA

Dear Colleagues:

I am very pleased to share two exciting opportunities we’re taking advantage of to raise public awareness about architects and architecture. The first starts Tuesday, July 24th when the AIA will sponsor National Public Radio’s Cities Project, a weekly series. Airing on the popular afternoon broadcast, “All Things Considered,” the segments will report on the trends of urban life today and the challenges facing today’s cities. Implicit in every story are the questions: how do we want to live? What do we want our cities to be?

AIA clients and the public listen to NPR. Furthermore, members address these central questions across the spectrum of practice, from residential to regional design. The AIA sponsorship message will air immediately following each episode: “Support for NPR’s Cities Project comes from members of the American Institute of Architects; working to build better homes, businesses, and communities. ‘Building for life.’ More at A-I-A dot o-r-g.”

We’ll receive additional mentions on “All Things Considered” and several mentions weekly on the “Diane Rehm Show,” one of the most respected daily radio programs airing nationally. All told, in live broadcast and in rebroadcast online or on premium channels, the AIA message will reach nearly 60 million NPR listeners. You can see the schedule for the NPR Cities Series here.

The second opportunity lies in television and the Web. Some of you met or saw Stephen Chung, AIA, at our annual convention, where he hosted our “Architect Live” broadcast center. He has been so committed to helping educate the public about architects and architecture that he has created his own public television series that we will sponsor. The program he will host, “Cool Spaces,” debuts this Fall as a PBS Primetime Special and will air on nearly every public television station in the country. His show, which has been in development for several years, will profile many of the most provocative and innovative structures in North America, all of which have strong public space.

Through our sponsorship, an AIA message will be featured in the opening and closing credits reaching 95 percent of U.S. households. Plus, we’ll receive additional exposure through a website dedicated to the program.

Stephen and his producers have developed a program that tells the story about what architects do and the impact of architecture in our lives that should capture the attention of both younger and older audiences. In 2013, PBS will produce six additional primetime episodes and our sponsorship will open up additional opportunities to educate the public. You can see a promotion on the series here.

We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to support these two programs that demonstrate how architects add value and contribute to a better built environment. Adding our message of commitment helps build public recognition and relevance in a meaningful way.

Dovetailing with our repositioning efforts, these media opportunities will reach out as we continue our own planning. Their timing couldn’t be better.

Robert

Robert Ivy, FAIA
EVP/Chief Executive Officer
American Institute of Architects
1735 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20006

US Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter Seeking Nominations for 10th Anniversary Gala Awards

The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC-NJ) is seeking applicants for their 10th Anniversary Gala Awards. The nomination period is open until August 10th. (The Student Award deadline is not until Sept. 21.) USGBC-NJ recognizes and presents these awards to companies and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in green building and sustainability at the Chapter’s Annual Gala. The winning applicants will be honored at this year’s Gala & Awards Dinner on October 11, 2012, at the new Revel in Atlantic City. There are five award categories: community; green team; green ground breaking; municipal/ public-private sector; and student. See below for more information.

“This is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the individuals and organizations who have made special strides in green building and sustainability in our State,” said Florence Block, USGBC-NJ Executive Director. “This is the spirit in which USGBC-NJ was founded – a spirit of innovation and excellence.”

Design Architect – Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Architect of Record – Rotwein and Blake

This year, BASF Corporation and the Rockefeller Group will receive special recognition for their commitment to sustainability with their recently completed project in Florham Park, NJ – BASF’s North American headquarters which is expected to receive LEED® Double Platinum certification* (Design Architect – Kohn Pedersen Fox; Architect of Record – Rotwein and Blake). Only four reported projects in the US have earned multiple LEED Platinum certifications in one building. The BASF HQ in Florham Park is the first LEED Double Platinum – designated facility in New Jersey, and the largest LEED Platinum corporate project in the state.

The USGBC-NJ’s Annual Gala is the event of the year for green building and sustainability professionals in the tri-state area. Last year, keynote speaker Mayor Cory Booker wowed the crowd. Previous honorees include: Colgate Global Technology Center; PNC Bank; Wyndham Worldwide; NJ Economic Development Authority; Newark’s Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District; Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Stafford Park and Homeless Solutions; and Spiezle Architectural Group. Applications can be found online here or on our homepage: www.usgbcnj.org.

AWARD CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA:

A. Community Award: This award is given to a non-profit organization that has had a profound impact on expanding the horizons of green building through exemplary programs in community service, education, social equity, policy work or other aspects of developing sustainable communities.

B. Green Team Award: Recognizes a green building and project team whose vision and practices illustrate the best in green building. The team’s work reflects the creativity, collaboration, and integrated processes that embody the essence of going “beyond LEED”.

C. Green Ground Breaking Award: An individual, organization or company that is on the cutting-edge of sustainability and green building, and has created something that truly pushes the envelope to broaden the horizons of green.

D. Municipal or Public-Private sector: Recognizes a municipality or public-private sector partnership that demonstrates leadership and innovation in green building practices on a community-wide basis.

E. Student Award: Middle through High School Students in public or private schools. A student (or team of students) involved in a project that satisfies one or more of the award Criteria in the 2011-2012 school year and can successfully demonstrate that the outcomes/results of the project have made a positive impact on the environment.

(The Student Award has a separate application deadline: September 21, 2012. Please see Student Award Criteria on our website for more information.)

Applications can be found online here or on our homepage: www.usgbcnj.org.

*LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a trademark of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Platinum certification is the highest achievement attainable through the LEED green building certification program which encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through a suite of rating systems that recognize projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. BASF is seeking Platinum certification in two phases: one for Core & Shell and another for Commercial Interiors.

About the U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

USGBC is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group formed in 1993. New Jersey membership exceeds 1400 Corporations inclusive of USGBC National and the USGBC New Jersey Chapter. There are over 3,000 LEED® accredited professionals in NJ and over 400 LEED® registered and 100 certified projects in New Jersey, plus over 900 certified LEED Homes.

More About the U.S. Green Building Council – New Jersey Chapter

USGBC-NJ is a non-profit organization focused solely on advancing green building and sustainable communities. The mission of USGBC-NJ is to transform NJ’s built environment to become ecologically sustainable, profitable, and healthy. We accomplish our mission through education, advocacy, and collaboration. As New Jersey’s green building advocate and education resource, USGBC-NJ provides over 150 educational programs, events, green building tours, research studies, and advocacy initiatives each year, through its three-branch, state-wide network. Currently, USGBC-NJ is providing grant-funded green building education to NJ’s veterans and unemployed.

For 10 years USGBC-NJ has served as the meeting ground, catalyst, and propeller for sustainability-minded individuals in building-related professions. Through the NJ Chapter, LEED and green building in general, have found fertile ground in New Jersey. The New Jersey Chapter’s 1,100 individual members represent the entire spectrum of New Jersey’s green building community.

AIA JERSEY SHORE SERVICE AWARDS

SUPPORTERS OF GREAT ARCHITECTURE
HONORED AT AIA JERSEY SHORE SERVICE AWARDS DINNER

AIA Jersey Shore held its annual Service Awards event at the Robert Meyner Reception Center at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. The annual event celebrates the achievements of exceptional individuals and firms, throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties, that have made significant contributions to the architectural profession and community through design excellence, dedication and making a positive impact on the built environment. The event included an exhibit of student work from the graduating class of the Brookdale Community College School of Architecture. Participating students included Nicholas Barone, Jennifer Brzozowski, Frank Costantini, Sophia Faheem, Ankenny Hernandez, Eric Pier and Kelly Semple.

Left to right: Rafael Da Silva AIA (Vice President/Service Awards Chair), Stephen Carlidge AIA (Distinguished Service Award), April Horvath AIA (Young Architect of the Year), Chanta Jackson (Resident of the Year), Frank Tomaino AIA, Alysa Antonis (Intern of the Year), Michael Millemann AIA (Firm of the Year), Richard Tokarski AIA (Architect of the Year), Malcolm Burton AIA (President), Craig Brearley (President Elect)

Left to right: Malcolm Burton AIA (President), Eric Pier, Nicholas Barone, Frank Costantini, Kelly Semple, Ankenny Hernandez, Sophia Faheem, Jennifer Brzozowski, Rafael Da Silva AIA (Vice President/Service Awards Chair), Craig Brearley AIA (President Elect)

Distinguished Service Award – Stephen J. Carlidge, AIA of Ocean Grove

Steve has provided many years of service to the AIA. He has served as President and Past President of AIA Jersey Shore. At AIA New Jersey he has served various leadership roles including President in 2006. He chaired the AIA NJ Legislative & Government Affairs Committee from 2006-2011 and remains an active committee member. He also chairs the AIA New Jersey annual Design Day Conference, wherein he is responsible for the program, guest speakers and the jury for the Annual Design Awards. His dedication earned him the AIA NJ Architect of the Year Award in 2004 and AIA Jersey Shore Firm of the Year Award in 2005.

Additional community activities include serving for nearly a decade on the State Board of the March of Dimes of NJ, assisting Interfaith Neighbors Inc. – a local non-profit providing meals, mortgage assistance and constructing affordable housing for less fortunate residents of Monmouth County’s urban centers, and as a member of the Professional Advisory Board at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, where he and his board colleagues provide guidance to the faculty relative to the needs of the profession with respect to the education of the next generation of architects.

Steve’s 32 year career includes positions at Kellenyi Associates; Grad Associates where he directed projects including the Otto York Center for Environmental Engineering at NJIT and the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Courthouse; Vitetta where as a Principal of the firm he headed up the Educational Facility Design Studio; Hall Construction Company where he directed the construction of the Wildwood Convention Center; and ultimately founding his own practice, Shore Point Architecture, in 2002 where he provides services for a variety of projects ranging from public schools, small to moderate sized commercial facilities, and varying types of residential projects.

Firm of the Year – Tokarski + Millemann Architects LLC of Brick

“We endeavor to produce inspirational architecture through creative design, quality work and interactive relationships with our clients. Striving always to uphold the core principals of truth and integrity, we passionately work on the ephemeral while focusing on the eternal.” This is the mission of Tokarski Millemann Architects, originally founded in 2000 as a sole proprietorship by Richard Tokarski, who later partnered with Michael Millemann.

Their specialty is diversity, believe that in becoming experts in Architecture and the lessons learned from one building type to another enriches the next building. Their body of work includes K-12 schools both public and private, universities, churches, retail, restaurants, offices, municipal, and custom residential projects. One noteworthy project is The Hope Center in Jersey City, a faith based organization which ministers to inner city kids through the visual and performing arts. An existing 10,000 sf bus repair garage was adaptively reused and transformed into a multi-purpose auditorium which also serves as an art gallery during the week, a café, dance studio, classrooms and offices.

The firm’s commitment to the Profession includes AIA participation, intern mentorship and public awareness. Each partner has served as an AIA Jersey Shore Trustee, and currently co-chair the AIA Jersey Shore Codes Committee. Mike participated in AIA150’s program to present “AIA’s Ten Principles of Community Living” to elementary school children in Keyport’s Central School. Rick has represented “The Architect” for numerous occupational career days at The Academy of Grace and Peace in Toms River. In addition, each partner has received the AIA Jersey Shore Young Architect of the Year Award.

Architect of the Year – Richard P. Tokarski, Jr., AIA of Brick

Rick credits his interest in Architecture to his Uncle Joe, an avid painter and musician who always made time to teach Rick how to draw. As a child, he loved to draw all the time, and his parents fostered this interest by getting him a classic wood and iron drafting table which now resides in his office. Rick received his degree from The NJ Institute of Technology in 1992. Having enriched his knowledge and experience at various firms, Rick took a leap of faith in 2000 and opened his own practice. The firm began with a 15,000 sf addition to the Church of Grace and Peace in Toms River, and now 12 years later has a new name with the addition of Rick’s partner Mike and is providing services for numerous building types in 3 different states.

Rick believes in giving back to the profession as well as the community. He regularly provides pro-bono services and volunteers his time for non-profit community organizations throughout the state. He has served leadership roles in various Chambers of Commerce, as a school board member for The Academy of Grace and Peace, a marriage life ministry team leader at his church, and advisory board member for Community Compass to name but a few. He is also an active member of various professional organizations including the AIA. He has served on the AIA New Jersey Design Build Commission. For AIA Jersey Shore, he has served a 3 year term as Trustee and is currently co-chair of the Codes Committee. Rick’s dedication to the profession led to him receiving the AIA Jersey Shore Young Architect of the Year Award in 2006.

Young Architect of the Year – April M. Horvath, AIA of Ocean Grove

April graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2001 with a Masters of Architecture. Due to her strong interest in Urban Planning, she based her thesis on revitalizing the oceanfront in Asbury Park.

In 2005, April joined Shore Point Architecture and has quickly risen through the ranks to the position of Project Manager. One noteworthy project led by April is the Springwood Center in Asbury Park. This 27,000 sf mixed-use building is a collaboration between the City of Asbury Park and developer Interfaith Neighbors, and is the first new commercial space to be built on Springwood Avenue since the historic commercial and jazz club corridor burned to the ground during the civil unrest of 1970. By all accounts including those of client, contractor and colleagues, April has demonstrated knowledge, skills and dedication beyond what is expected of someone her age.

Her contribution to the redevelopment of Asbury Park is a unique and exciting chance to bring what she initially explored as a graduate thesis into her professional practice.

Intern of the Year – Alysa Antonis of Millstone

Alysa is a second year student at Philadelphia University’s School of Architecture. She has been an intern for The Architect’s Studio in Ocean Grove. During her internship, Alysa discovered a strong interest and appreciation for Historic Preservation. It soon became the focus of her studies and she now majors in Historic Preservation at Philadelphia University. As part of her internship, Alysa has also attended AIA meetings, seminars and various local Economic Development Committee meetings.

In addition to her Architectural endeavors, Alysa regularly gives of her time and energy to various community service programs. A few recent programs include Philadelphia University’s “Day of Service” – a landscape restoration and clean-up initiative program at the Philadelphia Zoo; “Footgear for those in Need” – a program for the collection and distribution of donated footgear and shoes for underprivileged students and children in need; and a “Rescue Animals Home Placement” service effort for a Monmouth County Animal Shelter.

Resident of the Year – Chanta L. Jackson of Second Baptist Church in Long Branch

Chanta served as volunteer Project Manager for the 10,000 sf expansion of the Second Baptist Church in Long Branch. The architect, Frank Tomaino AIA of DIGroup Architecture said “Ms. Jackson provided invaluable leadership to the church administration and congregation. She attended every building committee meeting as well as all construction meetings. Her constant determination willed the project to completion.”

By all accounts, this was a very difficult project. It was ambitious in scope and fraught with unforeseen conditions including a general contractor default and a faltering economy. Construction began at the end of 2007 and we all know what happened in 2008. But through it all, Chanta’s leadership kept the project moving forward. The contractor who completed the project said “We could not have brought this project to a successful completion without her help. Her dedication and long hours to this project made this outcome possible.” Her efforts have impacted the surrounding community and Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli’s opinion of the church’s renovation is “It is a pillar in the community and we need this sanctuary in the city to bring more people together to worship in a wonderful place. It is a mainstay in Long Branch.

In addition to her community service, Chanta is the Multimedia Publishing Manager at The Star Ledger and formerly worked at the Asbury Park Press. She has earned various professional awards throughout her career and holds leadership positions in many local professional and community organizations.

About AIA

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA Jersey Shore is the local section of AIA and represents 200 architects throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Rafael R. Da Silva, AIA, LEEDAP, NCARB

AIA Jersey Shore – Vice President & Service Awards Chair

AIA-NJ Recognizes DMR Architects With 2012 COTE Award

Ocean County College Building in Tom’s River, N.J., Recognized for Sustainable Design

The Committee on the Environment (COTE) of the AIA-NJ recently announced DMR Architects, a full service architectural firm based in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., as a 2012 Merit Award winner of AIA-NJ’s COTE Top Ten Green Projects Award, which recognizes outstanding built work in the area of sustainable design in New Jersey and/or by a New Jersey architect. The firm won the award for its design of the John C. Bartlett Jr. Hall, an academic and multi-use building at Ocean County College in Toms River, N.J.

“We are thrilled to announce DMR as the winner of this year’s AIA-NJ COTE award,” said Natasha Suzansky, AIA, Chair of the COTE Awards committee. “DMR designed a new beautiful campus building that pushed the envelope of meeting sustainability goals. By presenting DMR with this award, we celebrate a top contribution to sustainable projects within New Jersey, and we hope that this will be used as a model for other college and university projects.”

Completed in 2009, the 32,000-square-foot John C. Bartlett, Jr. Hall, which provides classrooms, computer labs, faculty offices and meeting spaces for the college, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver (LEED) Certification, a designation for projects demonstrating exemplary efforts in green or sustainable design from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The building’s green attributes include using recycled, locally manufactured materials in the construction process; car charging stations for electric vehicles; a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar system, which generates onsite clean electricity for the college; and high efficiency windows.

The space, which is outfitted with permanent educational signage about its “green” attributes, is also used as an educational tool for the more than 10,000 Ocean County College students, faculty and staff and nearly 100 monthly visitors, as well as for children visit the college as part of camp ecological and environmental programs.

After jury deliberation, the award was presented to DMR’s senior designer, Kurt Vierheilig, AIA, LEED AP; and DMR’s director of sustainability, Pradeep Kapoor, at AIA-NJ’s third annual green conference, East Coast Green, which was recently held at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J.

The conference, titled “Re: Thinking Green,” was held for the second consecutive year at Brookdale Community College and included three educational tracks: “Re: Codify,” which looked at the different sustainability codes and policies facing the architecture and construction industries; “Re: Certify,” which helped LEED professionals to maintain their credentials; and “Re: View,” which provided case studies of successful sustainable applications.

The conference was also preceded by a full day of workshops sponsored by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).   Read more about this years East Coast Green conference.
Last year, Maplewood, N.J.-based The Goldstein Partnership won an Honor Award for its design of the Maplewood Police Department, which entailed a rooftop solar PV system; high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); and an energy-efficient building envelope. In addition, Trenton-N.J.-based Spiezle Architectural Group won a Merit Award for its design of a TD Bank branch in Farmingdale, N.Y., that received LEED Gold certification from the USGBC through the use of sustainable interior finishes, added roof insulation and a solar canopy made of double-sided solar panels; and Westwood, N.J.-based WJM Architect won a merit award for its design of a two-story, single-family residence that accommodates a partially paralyzed family member, while also reducing square footage to decrease environmental impact.  See more on 2011 awards.

The Conversation About Future Sustainable Design Needs to Start Now, Even If It’s a Home Made from Trees or Extruded Pig Cells

Leading Ecological Design Architect and Urbanist, Mitchell Joachim, Keynotes AIA-NJ’s Third Annual East Coast Green Conference 

Kim Vierheilig AIA, Mitchell Joachim Assoc AIA, Verity Frizzell AIA, Jack Purvis AIA

History shows that disasters — natural or manmade — yield change, but that shouldn’t be the only case in which change occurs, especially as it pertains to design. Architects need to start the conversation now and connect with the general public to create a more environmentally friendly and sustainable environment.

Those were the sentiments of Mitchell Joachim, Assoc. AIA, a leader in ecological design architecture and urbanism, at a recent keynote address for East Coast Green, the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ third annual green conference. The event, which was coordinated by AIA-NJ’s Committee on the Environment, attracted more than 120 architects from throughout New Jersey.

“I’m tired of the doomsaying,” said Joachim. “It’s enough — we got the picture, it’s resonated, and now we need to move on. We need to start the conversation about change and take action. As long as there’s a narrative, it will create change, and architects need to lead this dialogue.”

Citing examples of starting the conversation, Joachim brought up French author Jules Verne’s “From the Earth to the Moon,” written in 1865, which inspired the creation of NASA’s first space shuttle, created during the Kennedy administration to beat the Russians’ efforts to land on the moon. “This completely morphed the way we think about space travel,” he said.

Joachim also spoke of Elisha Otis, who came up with the idea of the elevator 150 years ago. Originally viewed as being fantastical in nature, the elevator concept has changed the basic morphology of urban areas. After the development of the elevator, “we were able to create tall buildings,” he said.

Joachim went on cite examples of his work, which was completed either while at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Mass.; at Terreform ONE, a non-profit design group that promotes green design in cities, where he is the founding co-president; or at Planetary ONE, a unique cross-disciplinary partnership of designers and scientists collaborating to pioneer visionary socio-ecological and infrastructural strategies for urban environments, where he is a partner.

Most notably, he spoke about the work for his Smart Cities Car, an environmentally friendly car designed for urban living, which he helped design while at MIT. That project was recognized as Time Magazine’s Best Invention of 2007. He also spoke about his well-known Fab Tree Hab project, which presents a sophisticated methodology for growing homes from living native trees.

In New Jersey, he added, there are more than 50 different kinds of native trees with which homes can be grown.

Other examples of his work brought up during his remarks included “The XO Lamb Cars” or extremely soft cars; “In Vitro Meat Habitat,” an architectural proposal for the fabrication of 3-D printed extruded pig cells to for real organic dwellings; and the SOFT Blimp Bumper Bus, which scoops up passengers in soft hanging chairs and travels less than 15 miles per hours.

Joachim was a perfect fit as the keynote speaker, capping off two days of presentations that ranged from day-to-day practical products and applications to pioneering technical and philosophical endeavors.

“From the selection of doors, siding or insulation, to strategic redevelopment of a suburban office building to cutting edge residential energy efficient design, to legislation and policy concerns, and to leading edge research and development, this conference touched all types of architectural practice and issues facing the profession,” said Bruce Turner, AIA, chair of the AIA-NJ Public Awareness Committee. “Joachim put an exclamation point on where we are headed.”

The conference, which was held for the second consecutive year at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J., was titled “Re: Thinking Green,” and looked at the future of sustainability and the environment in the architecture and construction industries. This conference included three educational tracks “Re: Codify,” which looked at the different sustainability codes and policies facing the architecture and construction industries; “Re: Certify,” which helped LEED professionals to maintain their credentials; and “Re: View,” which provided case studies of successful sustainable applications.

East Coast Green was held in conjunction with AIA-NJ’s second “COTE Top 10 Awards,” which recognize outstanding built work in the area of sustainable design. The conference was also preceded by a full day of workshops sponsored by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

AIA-NJ’s Design Conference Registration Opens

Registration for AIA-NJ’s Annual Design Conference is Open 

Celebrating architecture and design in New Jersey, AIA-NJ has announced that the organization will host its annual Design Conference at the Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park, N.J., on Sept. 13, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Registration is online, reserve your spot today.

Stephen Kieran, FAIA, AIA-NJ 2012 Design Conference keynote speaker

This year, the event will feature three speaking sessions, which will be interspersed with a boardwalk redevelopment tour of Asbury Park as well as a lunch networking reception. Following a keynote session, there will be a final reception featuring the announcement of this year’s AIA-NJ Design Award winners.

The speakers will be Frank Grauman, FAIA, senior partner of Bohlin, Cywinski & Jackson, an architectural firm based in Philadelphia, Pa., and William Loose, AIA, who is also a partner in the firm; Charles Renfro, AIA, partner of Diller, Scofido & Renfro, an architectural firm based in New York City; and Stephen Kieran, FAIA, senior partner of KieranTimberlake Architects, based in Philadelphia, Pa., who is the keynote speaker.

The Design Awards are meant to bring public and professional recognition to architectural projects that exhibit design excellence in New Jersey. AIA-NJ is currently accepting award submissions, with the deadline to submit the entry form and fee being Aug. 29, 2012.

To register online, please visit www.aia-nj.org. Questions may be addressed to Laura Slomka at 609-393-5690 or lslomka@njpsi.com.

For more information and a detailed schedule, please visit http://blog.aia-nj.org/2012/06/26/design-2012-save/.

ARE 4.0 Review Courses at NJIT

 The College of Architecture & Design at New Jersey Institute of Technology is offering two review courses for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE 4.0) this fall semester in Structural Systems and Building Systems.

These courses are scheduled in the evening hours (6 to 9 pm) and will be held on the NJIT campus in Newark, NJ.

Structural Systems is scheduled on Wednesday, and will run for 15 sessions, starting on September 5th, 2012.

Building Systems is scheduled on Monday, and will run for 12 sessions, starting on September 10th, 2012.

These courses will cover the exam material in a lecture format, including the related graphic vignettes. Some mock exams will also be solved.

For further information and for registration, please contact the instructor, Rima Taher, by e-mail at: Taher@adm.njit.edu.

Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who might be interested in these ARE reviews.

Architects League of Northern New Jersey Hosts 2012 Group Exhibit in Ridgewood, N.J. Open to Public; Opening Reception To Be Held on July 12

The Architects League of Northern New Jersey, a local section of the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ), has announced that the organization will be hosting its second Annual Group Exhibit from July 9 to 27, during which Architects League members will display original art and architectural work.

The 2011 event was at the Art Center of Northern New Jersey in New Milford, N.J

The exhibit will be on display at The Stable, located at 259 North Maple Ave. in Ridgewood, N.J., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Architects League will host an opening reception for the 2012 exhibit on July 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. to which the public is invited and at which refreshments will be served. Examples of the art and architecture work include architectural plans, sketches, renderings, models and photographs.

“The purpose of the event is twofold,” said Ralph Rosenberg, AIA, senior design associate at NK Architects and chair of the event. “One: this is a great way of increasing public awareness of who we are and what architects do. And two: this allows us to showcase and share our projects with our peers without judgment or competition.”

“It’s an opportunity and venue for architects to let down their guards and show what they have been working on, how they work, and show their personalities and common interests outside of the office,” he continued.

The Stable, where the exhibit will be held, is an old barn that was renovated and now houses Ridgewood’s Parks and Recreation department. The Stable also doubles as a gallery for the display of fine art.

During the opening reception, the Architects League will also be showing “The Fountainhead,” a 1945 movie based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ayn Rand. The classic movie, which stars Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal, focuses on a young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision.

Last year’s exhibit, which was held at the Art Center of Northern New Jersey in New Milford, N.J., had about 45 pieces from roughly 30 participants.

For more information about the Architects League of Northern New Jersey’s 2012 Group Exhibit, please E-mail Ralph Rosenberg at rosenbgerr@nkarchitects.com.