Dan Mascione, AIA To Be a Guest On WIBG Radio 1020 AM

AIA South Jersey Past President, Dan Mascione, AIA will be a guest of the WIBG Radio 1020 AM Radio Show, Larry Trulli in the Morning, 7 to 9 am, Wednesday, January 30. Dan will be discussing his personal perspective as an architect practicing in Atlantic County, NJ on the impacts of Superstorm Sandy on the region. Listen live at www.wibg.com or call in to 609-398-1020.

Governor Christie Release on Regulations for Rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy

 

 

Governor Christie Outlines Regulations to Allow Residents and Businesses to Rebuild Faster, Stronger and Safer from Hurricane Sandy

Standards Will Ensure Lower Premiums In The Long Term, Protecting Residents From Out Of Control Costs

For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 24, 2013

Trenton, NJ – Taking action to give New Jersey families, businesses and local governments the best available guidance to quickly and more durably rebuild from Hurricane Sandy, Governor Chris Christie today signed emergency regulations to adopt the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) updated Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFEs) maps as the rebuilding standard for the entire state. These regulations establish requirements and more efficient procedures for residents and businesses to construct, reconstruct, relocate and elevate buildings and other structures in flood hazard areas.

Using the best available science and data as reflected in these advisory maps will give families, businesses, and communities the best assessment of their risk – allowing them to better mitigate damage from future flood events, avoid higher flood insurance costs, and begin the rebuilding process immediately. Because of federal reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program to move towards increased flood insurance rates that reflect actual risk, families who rebuild their properties in a manner that does not conform to updated base flood elevations will see significant premium increases.

By acting today to use the latest available information and data from FEMA to set rebuilding standards for New Jersey, Governor Christie is helping homeowners and small businesses rebuild properties that are less at-risk, while also helping them avoid potentially massive, out-of-control flood insurance costs over the long-run.

While each property and rebuilding situation is unique, an example provided by FEMA illustrates the dramatic impact new standards can have on flood insurance rates, in addition to the issues of increasing the risk to the safety of the property and its inhabitants. If a property owner is currently in an “A zone” at 4 feet below the BFE elevation and are reclassified as a higher threat “V zone” and take no action, that property will be rated at a higher risk and be subject to an approximate annual premium (phased in) of up to $31,000. In addition to the threat posed by being 4 feet below the BFE in elevation, the property owner will be non-compliant with V zone construction standards.

In contrast, if the owner were to rebuild to the suggested BFE and appropriate construction standards, the annual premium (phased in) would be approximately $7,000. If the resident rebuilds 2 feet above the BFE with the construction standards for their new zone, the annual premium would be approximately $3,500. A savings of up to $27,500 annually.

“It is absolutely critical that we take this opportunity to rebuild New Jersey smarter and stronger in the aftermath of Sandy. That’s why today I am approving emergency regulations being proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help fast-track the rebuilding process,” said Governor Christie. “By doing so, we’re helping residents and businesses who have endured so much, to get back on their feet while at the same time ensuring that rebuilding occurs as quickly as possible, without costly red tape slowing this process down for our families and small businesses. As New Jersey recovers from Sandy, utilizing the best available data provided in these FEMA maps will give our communities the ability to rebuild with the least possible risk from future storms moving forward.”

With over 8.4 million residents in its 8,721 square mile area and approximately 3.8 million residents in flood hazard areas, without swift and immediate action, the state is presented with a risk of continued severe impacts during the next flood event.

The DEP is adopting an emergency rule with common-sense provisions for rebuilding stronger structures, more quickly:

1. Adopts the height and construction requirements in FEMA’s Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps as a state standard for reconstruction. The ABFEs reflect the best available, most current scientific data about 100-year floods.

2.      Allows property owners who rebuild to the ABFEs (plus one additional foot, as has been required by the New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act since 2007) to do so via Permit By Rule (PBR). This eliminates the need for thousands of property owners to apply for DEP’s Flood Hazard Area permits, saving them at least $500 in permit fees plus the design and engineering costs associated with an application, and allowing them to begin reconstruction without waiting for department review as part of the rebuilding process.

3. Allows “wet floodproofing” for non-residential buildings. Wet floodproofing means that a building may flood but will structurally withstand the water, and enables reconstruction in urban areas in a safe and less costly manner than requiring elevations or dry floodproofing. This is especially important in highly developed areas like Hoboken or Jersey City. Without this change, residents and small businesses would have to comply with the existing rules, which could significantly drive up costs and make some redevelopment impossible.
4. Eliminates requirements that now allow certain building foundations to have only three walls –a potentially unsafe construction method.

By adopting the ABFEs as the state standard immediately, the state will ensure that coastal communities are reconstructed using the best elevation guidance that is available, preventing the level of damage experienced in Sandy. The emergency rules also bolster DEP construction requirements to make structures more storm-resilient, to prevent the level of destruction caused by Sandy.

“Unfortunately many of the structures that were hardest hit by Sandy were built decades ago, prior to the establishment of much more protective state and federal building elevation requirements,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “If homes had been built to these standards prior to Sandy, it is fair to say that property damage would have been significantly less. It is critical that we have the statewide elevation standard and a permit by rule process in place before large numbers of permit applications for rebuilding start coming in and reconstruction of our state begins in full force.”

In many cases, FEMA flood maps for coastal areas of New Jersey were more than two decades old and did not reflect real hazards. FEMA was in the process of updating the flood insurance maps, upon which the ABFEs are based, when Sandy struck. The agency released the ABFEs December 15, 2012  for some 200 communities affected by tidal waters.

The maps use modern technology, modeling and updated topographical maps to better define storm risks. They are designed to help state and local governments employ mitigation actions that ensure structures are rebuilt stronger, safer, and less vulnerable to future flooding events.

Adoption of the emergency Flood Hazard Area Act rule using the ABFEs as the base elevation standard will ensure that every development in every municipality will apply the appropriate elevation standards across the board.

Otherwise municipalities might adopt a patchwork of local standards that might be implemented while FEMA works to finalize the flood maps based on the new ABFEs. This process could take many months and cause significant delays as New Jersey recovers from its worst-ever natural disaster.

The rule will become effective immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law.

Copies of the emergency rules and the DEP statement of imminent peril are attached to the release.

For more on ABFEs, visit: http://www.region2coastal.com/sandy/abfe

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www.nj.gov/governor/

Lessons From New Orleans

AIA-NJ Installs Jack Purvis as 2013 President

The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) installed Jack Purvis, AIA, of Howell, N.J., as its 2013 president at the organization’s annual awards gala that was held on Jan. 5, 2013 at Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.

As president, Purvis will draw upon the achievements of previous AIA-NJ presidents, who are charged with leading and uniting New Jersey’s architects every year.

With more than 25 years of experience as a licensed architect in New Jersey, Purvis heads his own architecture firm, Jack A. Purvis Architect, based in Allenwood, N.J. Established in 1986, the firm caters to a wide variety of projects including new construction, renovations and additions to commercial, residential, private and public facilities.

Purvis has a passion for design, renovation and expansion projects to firehouses, having completed a number of them in New Jersey throughout his career. He is particularly proud of the work he did at the Adelphia Fire Station in Howell, N.J., and the Civic Center Station in East Brunswick, N.J.

Purvis, a past winner of the AIA-NJ Architect of the Year award, began his studies at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J. where he earned an associate’s degree in architectural studies. He subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. He has been involved in the past in community service roles with the Open Space Preservation Task Force Committee of Howell, N.J., as well as the Howell Township Chamber of Commerce.

Most recently, Purvis served as the 2012 president-elect of AIA-NJ after several years of serving in other AIA-NJ officer positions, including first vice president and second vice president.

“I look forward to assuming the leadership role for architects in New Jersey,” Purvis said.  “The American Institute of Architects has been a leader of the architecture profession for the past century and a half.  As president for 2013, I plan to continue in that tradition.  For an organization such as ours to remain sustainable it is necessary for us to stay current with design, technology, energy, communication, young professionals, public awareness, legislative advocacy and the increase of activities for architectural student involvement. “

Other AIA-NJ 2013 officers who were installed at the event were Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, of Howell, N.J., who was installed as president-elect; Kimberly Bunn, AIA, of Moorestown, N.J., who was installed as first vice president; Justin Mihalik, AIA, of Montclair, N.J., who was installed as second vice president; Laurence E. Parisi, AIA, of Fort Lee, N.J., who was installed as past president; Ben P. Lee, AIA, of Wayne, N.J., who was installed as treasurer; and Jason R. Peist, Assoc. AIA, of Nutley, N.J., who was installed as regional associate director.

Jerome Leslie Eben, AIA, of West Orange, N.J., began his third, final year in the position of regional director, while Verity Frizzell, AIA, of Bay Head, N.J., resumed her position as secretary for a second, final year.

2014 AIA-NJ Call for Officers

A Call for Officers is now open for the 2014 Executive Committee.

Contact Immediate Past President Larry Parisi, AIA, if you are interested.

ARCHITECTS EDWARD ROTHE AND MARTIN SANTINI ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF OWNER REPRESENTATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FIRM

Architects Edward N. Rothe, FAIA, and Martin G. Santini, FAIA, have announced the formation of Rothe-Santini and Company, an owner representation and project management services firm. In addition to Rothe and Santini, the firm’s leadership includes Harold G. Sterling, Esq., a real estate developer, owner and builder, who will serve as Senior Advisor and General Counsel.

With offices in Princeton and Englewood Cliffs, N.J., the firm will focus on facilities for the corporate, finance, education, healthcare, and government sectors, working on behalf of developers, corporate and institutional owners. They will develop concepts and strategies for capital building projects and programs that will deliver the short- term objectives of budget and schedule and achieve the long-term value of design.

“We established our new firm in response to today’s changing design and construction environment,” Santini commented. “Today, the traditional design-bid-build project delivery process is being replaced by alternative means and methods such as design/build. Roles and responsibilities of architects have dramatically changed and as a result, we saw demand among owners who need an experienced, industry-savvy partner to help them in the design and delivery of their real estate projects.”

Rothe-Santini and Company is led by senior design and construction professionals and a consortium of real estate and facility-related, project-specific experts. The company’s goal is to add value to an owner’s team by providing know how and leadership or to supplement an owner’s existing staff that may not have the time or experience required by a specific project.

“We are guided by the knowledge that excellence in design provides long-term economic value to an owner’s facility and that our experience can help to reduce the risks inherent in the design documents and construction process. We partner with owners to provide a project management approach balancing collaboration and accountability, minimizing risks for all and allowing the project team to perform at its best,” stated Rothe. “We see our role as a fiduciary one, whereby we are given responsibility to act on behalf of an owner and are accountable for the project bottom line. Having designed, built, owned and managed buildings, we think like owners.”

The firm’s process, modeled after New York City’s architect led Department of Design and Construction, includes hand selecting architects and consultants whose expertise match the requirements of an owner’s project, as well as managing these professionals to ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget.

Most recently a Principal with architecture firm Fletcher Thompson, Rothe has more than 35 years of design experience. He was a co-founder of New Jersey-based architecture firm Rothe Johnson Fantacone and a past President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He was also elected to the AIA College of Fellows In recognition of his design ability and notable contributions to the profession.

Santini is the founder and former president of Ecoplan Architects, Planners, and Interior Designers of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and also previously served as construction consultant to SDS Procida Development Corporation in New York. In 2000, he received the “Distinguished Service Award” from AIA and was elected to the AIA College of Fellows in 2002. Santini also received the Richard Upjohn Fellowship Award for his service on AIA’s national board.

About Rothe-Santini and Company

Experienced in all aspects of design, development, financing, construction and ownership, the firm is focused on delivering facilities and services that are socially responsible, environmentally sound and excellent in design. For more information about Rothe-Santini and Company, visit the company’s website, KNOW HOW: An Added Value at RotheSantini.com or contact Ed at erothe@rothesantini,corn or Martin at msantini@rothesantini.com to learn how to we can help develop business opportunities.

NJIT Offers ARE Review Courses

The College of Architecture & Design at New Jersey Institute of Technology is offering two review courses for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) this spring 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 Thursday, and will run for 15 sessions, starting on January 24th, 2012.

Building Systems is scheduled on Monday, and will run for 12 sessions, starting on January 28th, 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: rima.taher@njit.edu

Important Announcement for AIA Members Regarding SD Credits

The AIA Board of Directors voted to terminate the Sustainable Design (SD) Continuing Education Credit Requirement.

As of January 1, AIA members will no longer need to complete the sustainable design requirement to fulfill their AIA continuing education.

For 2013, AIA members are required to satisfy a minimum of 18 LUs per year. Of this total, 12 must meet the Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) criteria.

Click below for more information:

http://www.aia.org/education/providers/AIAB096910