In Memoriam – Franklyn Spiezle AIA

Franklyn Spiezle, AIA: Founder of Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc.

Trenton, NJ – January 15, 2014 – Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is saddened to announce the passing of its founder, Franklyn Spiezle, AIA .

Franklyn Spiezle, the Founder of Spiezle Architectural Group, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 8, peacefully at the age of 89 on his 64^th wedding anniversary.

Born in Trenton, N.J. in 1924, Franklyn was a veteran of World War II serving in Europe at the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Air Corps. Upon returning to the U.S., he completed his degree in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He formed his own practice in 1954, later named Spiezle Architectural Group, which received numerous awards for school, firehouse and library design.

Franklyn’s traditional approach to architecture paved the way for a solid foundation of core values for the firm:  quality, integrity, and commitment. In 1990, he turned the reins over to his son Scott – the next generation of Spiezle leadership.  Adopting his father’s client-focused approach to the business, Scott grew the firm to sixty people in three offices diversifying into new markets. From his father’s foundation, Scott’s vision and leadership continued the firm’s legacy culminating in being awarded the distinction of New Jersey’s AIA Firm of the Year in 2012.  This same year also marked Scott passing the leadership forward – the result of having guided the firm through the transition to a fully employee-owned firm (ESOP) begun five years earlier.

Sixty years from its founding, the firm’s new CEO, Robert G. Kellner, remains committed to the legacy of both Franklyn and Scott as their values remain at the core. New diversity, growth and directions, while embracing the past, have already allowed the firm to grow to over $200 million in construction annually, domestically and internationally.  Without Franklyn’s initial vision and commitment, this would not have been possible.

 

A Note From AIA-NJ:

AIA New Jersey is very saddened by this loss to our architecture community in New Jersey.   In keeping with our policy of promoting architecture and mentoring our future professionals, AIA New Jersey will be making a donation in Franklyn’s name to the AIA New Jersey Scholarship Foundation.

If you would also like to make a donation in his name to the Scholarship Foundation, please send donations to:
AIA New Jersey Scholarship Foundation
c/o Jeanne Perantoni, AlA
1011 US Highway 22, Suite 203
Bridgewater, NJ  08807

 

Women In Architecture – Meeting & Superstorm Sandy Update

 Women In Architecture

  Super Storm Sandy Update / Committee Meeting

Hosted by Gensler

 WHEN:  Tuesday, February 11^th @ 6:00 PM

 WHERE:  10 North Park Place, 4^th Floor Morristown, NJ 07960

 RSVP:  wia_nj@hotmail.com  by Friday, February 7th

WIA NJ is starting the new year with some great presenters!   Our next meeting will be held on February 11th where Verity Frizzell, AIA, of the Jersey  Shore will be presenting a super storm sandy update.  (This meeting was previously postponed from December).   There will be a brief introduction on FEMA flood zones, case studies of the house lifting projects, zoning and more.    This is approved by AIA for 1 HSW Credit.

We will follow the discussion with our thoughts on how to highlight women architects in NJ throughout the year.

This is a great way to socialize and meet new members of the group.  Light refreshments will be served.
Please see below for details and don’t forget to RSVP by responding to this email by Friday February 7th.

Hope to see you all there!

Update – NJ Good Samaritan Legislation

Dear Member,Late last night, the New Jersey Legislature gave final approval to what is commonly known as ‘Good Samaritan’ legislation. The bills, Assembly Bill 3694 and Senate Bill 3131 are now on the desk of Governor Christie for action. Please call the Governor’s Office today to voice your support for the ‘Good Samaritan’ bill at (609) 292-6000. Tell his office that you are a constituent, a voter, and supporter of A3694 and S3131. You can also email the Governor’s Office by submitting this form on the Governor’s webpage. THE GOVERNOR HAS TO ACT WITHIN 10 DAYS. IT IS URGENT THAT YOU CONTACT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE TODAY

The following statement from the Senate Budget Committee explains the bill and its benefits to the state.The Senate Budget and Appropriations committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3131. This bill grants public employee status to licensed architects and professional engineers for certain services rendered during and following emergencies without compensation and at the request of public officials. This “Good Samaritan” legislation provides immunity in accordance with procedures established under the “Tort Claims Act” for the licensed architects and professional engineers who volunteer time, expertise, and services to help rebuild communities that have been damaged by disasters, such as hurricanes, fires, and, tornados. The bill provides licensed architects and professional engineers with public employee status pursuant to the Tort Claims Act and they shall not be personally liable for any personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or other loss caused by an act, error, or omission while practicing architecture or engineering following an emergency.  In order for the public employee status to apply, the practice of architecture or engineering must be performed: (1)  voluntarily and without compensation; (2)  at the request of a public safety official, acting in an official capacity; and (3)  at the scene of a declared national or State emergency caused by a major earthquake, hurricane, tornado, fire, explosion, collapse, or similar disaster or catastrophic event, during or within 90 days following the emergency, or for any extended period as determined by executive order issued by the Governor under the Governor’s emergency executive powers. As used in the bill, “public safety official” means any appointed or elected federal, State, or local official with executive responsibility to coordinate public safety or law enforcement in the jurisdiction in which the emergency has occurred. In addition, the public employee status and immunity will not apply, if: (1) the architect or professional engineer, or a private entity for which the architect or engineer is employed, has an existing contract for services with the public entity, other than the State of New Jersey, whose public safety officer made the request for architectural or engineering services; (2) the architect or professional engineer, or a private entity for which the architect or engineer is employed, enters into any contract for services that involves the performance of any additional architectural or engineering services related to the voluntary, uncompensated services performed for the public entity whose public safety officer made the request for architectural or engineering services; and (3) the act or omission by the architect or engineer does not require the public entity to defend and indemnify a public employee pursuant to N.J.S.59:10-1 or N.J.S.59:10-2. As reported, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 3694 (1R), as also reported by the committee on this date.

At Awards Gala AIA-NJ Reflects and Looks Toward Future

Design Competition Winners and Service Award Recipients Honored, 2014 Officers Installed During Jan. 11 Event in Shrewsbury

From the creation of innovative new homes, offices, schools and other buildings to the preservation of some of New Jersey’s most important structures, the architecture profession had a profound impact on New Jersey in 2013.

While the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ), which was formed in 1900, has long played an important role in improving the landscape and economy of The Garden State, 2013 was an especially active year for the organization and its members.

(L to R) Jack Purvis, 2013 AIA-NJ President presents Kurt Kalafsky, 2014 President, with his official gavel.

On Jan. 11, New Jersey’s architectural community gathered with friends and family to reflect on the year’s successes. At AIA-NJ’s annual awards gala, held at Shadowbrook in Shrewsbury, the organization honored the winners of its annual design competition. A total of 17 projects were recognized for their originality and advancement of the field. Additionally, AIA-NJ honored the recipients of its service awards, which are bestowed upon individuals and firms that have demonstrated exceptional service to the profession.

2014 AIA-NJ Officers at installation

The awards gala also served as an opportunity for AIA-NJ to install its 2014 officers, providing a glimpse into what’s in store for the organization this year. The 2014 officers include: 

Update on NJ Good Samaritan Legislation

The Good Samaritan legislation that AIA-NJ has been working towards is scheduled for a hearing in the New Jersey Senate for Monday morning, January 13, 2014.  Please call or email your local NJ representatives to urge them to support and vote YES for A3694.

For more information see the October announcement on the bill:

http://blog.aia-nj.org/2013/10/28/proposed_good_sam/

Final Presidents Message for 2013

My year as President of AIA-NJ is coming to an end. What a year it has been for the AIA and me.   As a result of Super Storm Sandy, AIA-NJ has come to the forefront as a source for information with regard to recovery.   Numerous members of the AIA-NJ have interviewed and articles written providing information to the public.  We have been asked to participate on committees with state agencies to offer information that only we as Architects can provide.  I want to thank our members who have stepped and provided information and are part of the solution.

2014 will provide a change the Executive Committee, Kurt Kalafsky will be President, Kim Bunn President Elect, Justin Mihalik First Vice President, Steven Lazarus, Second Vice President, Robert Cozzarelli will be the new Regional Director and Judy Donnelly will be the new secretary.  I would like to thank Verity Frizzell (2 years) as secretary and Jerry Eben (3 years) as regional Director for their hard work and dedication to AIA-NJ.  Their participation will be missed.  Jerry Eben is not retiring; he is now running for secretary for AIA National.

At the Board Meeting of December the following was reviewed.

• Good Samaritan Bill is now before now on the agenda of our state legislatures.  Through the hard work of the L & GA committee and Chairman David DelVecchio this may become law.  This will allow AIA member who want to act as first responders in case of a disaster to be provided with liability insurance similar to that provided to the police.
• Design Day was a huge success this year with the most design board ever submitted.   There is a committee working on next year conference chaired by Seth Leeb.  A change in the format and location are being reviewed.  There is always room for volunteer help, if you have an interest contact Seth.
• AIA-NJ Website is about completed and should be up and running after the first of the year.
• The Historical Preservation Committee is working on the guidelines for raising historic structures in the new flood zones.  We are having a meeting on January 11 at 9:00 at my office.  Please join us if you have an interest.

 

2014 AIA National Convention is in Chicago at the McCormick Place, June 26 – 28, 2014

The Unofficial New Jersey hotel:

Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601, Tel: (312)-565-1234

Register online: http://convention.aia.org/event/housing-travel.asp

AIA-NJ will be presenting two educational programs at the 2014 National Convention

Joe Simonetta: Politics and the Profession: NOT a Pretty Picture

Jack Purvis and Paul Barlo: The Rebirth of Camp Osborn a Neighborhood Destroyed by Super Storm Sandy

 

I want to thank the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Committee Chairs and the Membership of AIA-NJ for all the hard work and allowing me to be your representative of the AIA-NJ  on a State and National Level.

Jack A. Purvis, AIA