2015 AIANJ Convention Fellows Reception

AIANJ Fellows Reception at AIA Atlanta Convention

Join AIA New Jersey in celebrating our newest AIA Fellows
Pamela Rew  and  Joseph Tattoni

May 14, 2015 at Ormsby’s in Atlanta

 

NJ Future Announces 2015 Smart Growth Award-Winners

Leadership Award will honor land-use attorney and former New Jersey Future trustee Anne S. Babineau Esq. TRENTON, March 30 – A redevelopment of a historic urban park; the expansion of an anchor institution in our capital city; a “complete” redesign of a major urban street; a landmark multi-use building that serves as a community anchor; two plans to revitalize neighborhoods near transit; and a pioneering collaborative effort to improve urban neighborhoods prone to stormwater flooding are the winners of New Jersey Future’s 2015 Smart Growth Awards. “We had a very thoughtful and varied group of entries this year,” said Andrew Hendry, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Utilities Association and a New Jersey Future trustee, who chaired this year’s jury. “The winners reflect all of the current growth and development issues the state is facing — re-thinking a street to accommodate all users; re-energizing ‘edge’ neighborhoods that have good access to transit; making maximum use of urban green space to enhance neighborhoods and control flooding problems; and leveraging anchor buildings and institutions to revitalize urban centers. The jury is proud to present these as exemplars of best-practice planning and development in the state of New Jersey.” New Jersey Future will also present the Cary Edwards Leadership Award to Anne S. Babineau Esq., a partner in the law firm of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer PA. This award, named for the late former assemblyman and state attorney general who was a key player in passage of the State Planning Act in 1987, recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding commitment to improving the quality of life and promoting smart growth in New Jersey through sustainable land-use policy and practice. “Anne has been a tireless crusader for high-quality, intelligent development and redevelopment in New Jersey,” said New Jersey Future Executive Director Peter Kasabach. “Her elegant solutions to difficult issues have on so many occasions been the key that opens the way to exactly the kind of redevelopment and revitalization New Jersey needs in order to thrive. Our state, and in particular its urban areas, would be less vibrant and less economically healthy without Anne’s hard work.”

In Memoriam – Joseph DeAndrea Jr, AIA

Joseph B. DeAndrea Jr., 58

Joseph B. DeAndrea Jr. died on Saturday, March 7 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife, Peg; three children, Joseph B. III and wife Lenore with an expected grandson, Peter and fiancé Genevieve and Jeannine; his mother, Margaret Reidy; his father, Joseph B. Sr. and wife Rosemarie; two sisters, Wendy Katz and Pamela DeAndrea and a brother, G. DeAndrea.

All services will be announced at a later date by the McCriskin-Gustafson Home For Funerals.

 

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 Joe’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

AIA New Jersey Creates Task Force on Lightweight Wood-Framed Construction

 

TRENTON, N.J. (March 2015) — In the aftermath of the Avalon Edgewater Building Fire, the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has announced the formation of a task force of member architects to review possible improvements to design practices and building codes and standards in order to enhance building safety in New Jersey.

The Task Force will examine various issues specific to lightweight wood-framed buildings and make recommendations that, if implemented, could reduce property damage, provide additional time for people to reach safety, and allow the fire service more time to effectively address these emergencies.

Justin Mihalik, AIA

Chaired by Justin A. Mihalik, AIA New Jersey President-elect, the AIA New Jersey Task Force will build upon its standard code advisory processes and conduct these additional meetings to review lightweight wood framing design issues and formulate recommendations to assist New Jersey policymakers in promulgating regulations that will make buildings of this type safer.

“Improving building safety through smarter design has always been a priority of architects,” said Justin A. Mihalik, AIA. “AIA-NJ is prepared to further assist public safety officials in this shared goal with the creation of this task force.”

The Task Force will make advisory recommendations on containment methods and use of lightweight wood-framed construction materials. These recommendations will be formulated into a written report to be presented to official agencies with the intent of improving building safety in the Garden State and around the country. Task force members will include David Del Vecchio, AIA, Robert M. Longo, AIA, Jason Lutz, AIA, William J. Martin, AIA and Yogish Mistry, AIA. The Task force is expected to complete this work in the coming months.

AIA Grassroots Leadership & Legislative Conference a huge success…despite the snow!

Submitted by Justin A. Mihalik, AIA, 2015 ArchiPAC Steering Committee Member

The Grassroots Leadership & Legislative Conference over the years has moved its focus from Leadership to Advocacy and Legislative efforts, and this year was no exception.  More than 800 AIA members attended the Conference and were trained on this year’s Legislative Agenda.  In addition, AIA Leaders raised $57,000 for ArchiPAC, exceeding the goals for the Conference!  If you have not donated, it is never too late, click here! Thank you to all those AIANJ members who did contribute as we are in full swing to exceed our goals for this Legislative season.

Here is a synopsis of the Talking Points for the Capitol Hill visits.  The full version can be downloaded here. 

AIANJ Takes home Component Excellence Award from Grassroots Convention

Submitted by Justin A Mihalik, AIA, Co-Chair, AIA Regional Recovery Working Group

The AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference is always a great event to kickoff the new year as an AIANJ Leader.  This year it was even sweeter as AIANJ took home a Component Excellence Award for Expanding & Sharing Knowledge through the AIA Regional Recovery Working Group (AIARRWG).  The AIARRWG was formed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy by Illya Azaroff AIA, AIANYS, and co-chaired by Justin Mihalik AIA, AIANJ.  The Group organized three workshops focusing on the effects of Sandy on Jersey City, Hoboken and Newark, the Jersey Shore, as well as the State’s infrastructure and critical buildings.  Some of the comments received from the jurors included,

“This is a very strong submission demonstrating collaboration among components and states to promote knowledge of resilience best practices.”

“This is a great example of how components can work together to achieve measurable results on a topic of great importance to the profession. We can all learn from this program!”

“This very strong effort brought together various players to the table in a symbiotic manner with a collective vision and shared goals. I am not aware of any such other strong showing of organizational achievements lead by the AIA, specifically to assess a post-disaster situation, to the extent of what occurred with Sandy. I would hope that these efforts remain in the forefront with the state and federal agencies that have jurisdiction over events such as Sandy.”

On behalf of the AIARRWG, we are very proud of the work we have done and the honor of being recognized by AIA.  The AIARRWG will continue its work to help connect the victims with the various resources in the State, as well as share information with our allied professional organizations and the State of NJ.  If you are interested in joining the AIARRWG please contact Justin Mihalik AIA at jmihalik@jam-arch.com.

Presidents Message – AIANJ Update and Grassroots

Spring is almost here in New Jersey, I know many of us are looking forward to warmer temperatures and to see projects delayed by weather move forward.  Though it is only March a lot has been happening in the architecture community in NJ.

We were saddened this week to learn of the passing of two architects who impacted the architecture community in New Jersey.  Paul DeMassi, AIA, and Michael Graves, FAIA.  Graves took architecture and design beyond structures, whether it was a building, a chair or a toaster he taught that Design Matters.   Read more about his life.   DeMassi opened his firm in NJ in 1971, was a past president of NJ Society of Architects  (AIA-NJ) in 1981, and three term past chairman of the Joint Committee of the NJ State Board of Architects and Engineers.   Find out more information.  The AIA-NJ community if feeling a great loss by the absence of these two members.

During the last snow storm here in the northeast, leaders from around the country, and a number of AIA-NJ members were in Washington DC for the Annual Grassroots Legislative and Leadership Conference.  

NJ Disaster Safety Assessment Seminar

 

Registration Open Now for Post-Disaster Certification program.

April 11, 2015
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
at NJIT School of Architecture

Click here to Sign Up now !

 

 

Support Historic Preservation Funding – Important Deadline March 18th

AIA Members –

Please ask your Member of Congress to support historic preservation funding. Historic preservation programming on the state and federal level relies on annual funding appropriated by Congress to continue to run – we need your help TODAY to make sure that happens. Please ask your Member of Congress to sign on to the historic preservation funding letter.  We need to act fast – the deadline for legislators to sign this letter is Wednesday, March 18.

These core historic preservation programs help stimulate private investment, spur economic growth and create jobs while revitalizing our communities and protecting the nation’s cultural heritage.  The letter for the funding request would provide grants to preserve and protect vital pieces of America’s cultural heritage such as historic civil rights sites and historically black colleges and universities, preserving them for future generations.

Without continued funding by Congress, the offices that administer the Historic Tax Credit and other key historic preservation programs could close, leaving citizens without the needed tools to revitalize, rehabilitate, and protect the places that give meaning to America.

Please act today.

Help protect these programs for the future by telling your Member of Congress that we need their help now and that they should sign the letter by Wednesday, March 18 to make their voice heard!

TAKE ACTION NOW

 

 

In Memoriam – Paul DeMassi, AIA

Paul J. DeMassi Architect and Navy veteran, on the board at Deborah Hospital Paul J. DeMassi, 80, a resident of Lavallette, N.J., passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2015.

Funeral is Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst, N.J.   Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart R.C. Church.  Entombment is in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.  Send condolences to stellatofuneralhomes.com.

Mr. DeMassi was a graduate of Pratt Institute and was a sole proprietor of Paul J. DeMassi AIA & Associates PA since 1971.  He was a licensed architect and professional planner.  Mr. DeMassi was past president of the New Jersey Society of Architects, and three-term past chairman of the joint committee of the New Jersey State Board of Architects and Engineers.  He was a member of the board of directors and the board of trustees of Deborah Heart and Lung Center hospital.  He was a Korean War Navy veteran.

Mr. DeMassi is survived by his wife, Barbara (nee Gaccione); four children: daughter Diane married to Wayne Modelfino, daughter Denise married to Christian Valtin, son John married to Catherine (nee Nowak), daughter Debra married to W. Andrew Hanson; 10 grandchildren, Leah, Hailee, Nicholas, Christian, Charles, Thomas, Amanda, Catalina, Charles, Joseph; and three brothers, George, William and John.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deborah Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills, N.J. 08015. – See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=paul-demassi&pid=174402068&fhid=3074#sthash.HfMynDsD.dpuf

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 Paul’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