NJIT Students Win Global Schindler Award

Students Fundraising To Support Travel Costs To Accept Award

Eleven NJIT students in the Master of Infrastructure Planning (MIP) program (a mix of undergraduates and graduate students) led by Georgeen Theodore recently were acknowledged for a Global Schindler Award, a design competition seeking an original design concept to engage the specific spatial condition in Shenzhen, China “Considering the Interface between Mobility and the City”.

The task was to create an urban design-based response to the mobility issues related to Shenzhen and its local and regional relationships in the pearl River Delta. It also required addressing social, economic and environmental challenges presented by globalization and urbanization.

This was the first time in the history of the competition that it was opened for North American universities. Out of the 250 total submissions, only 12 were chosen. Of those twelve, the group form NJIT is the only U.S. based team. They are planning to travel to Shenzhen to accept the award and see the site that was the focus of their design project.

The students seek to raise an additional $5000 to help offset their costs. Any monies collected will be spent on air-fare, trains, hotels and visa applications. The cost per individual student to travel to China is expected to be in excess of $2,000 each.

Their project was titled

SEZ TO EZX: SHENZHEN XROADS

You can read more about their project and fundraising efforts here.

AIA Small Firm Exchange at 2015 AIA National Convention

Did you know that 50% of AIA members practice in firms of of 5 or less people? Did you know that 70% of members practice in firms of 20 or less? The AIA Small Firm Roundtable (SFRT) seeks to specifically address the needs of the small firms. At the AIA National Convention there is a track of programs and events specifically tailored to the interests of small firms. That track is call the Small Firm Exchange, or SFx. This year in Atlanta the SFx track is particularly robust. Please see the flyer below for the complete schedule of events. And, while in Atlanta look for people donning a SFRT badge. They will gladly welcome you to the group!

AIA New Jersey 2015 State Convention

Practicing in the New Normal

Save the Date – October 23 & 24, 2015

ITINERARY:
Two Days of Seminars   (earn up to 13 credits)
Three Tracks of Concentration
Two Keynote Design Speakers
One Keynote Business Speaker
Friday One Day Expo
Design Competition
Student Design Competition
Friday Design Awards Dinner
Friday and Saturday Tours

Visit the AIA-NJ State Convention Website for updates at: http://www.aianjconvention.com ** Registration is not open yet **
** However check back to learn more as it becomes available **

  NEW FORMAT:
Design Expo Friday
Design Award Winners announced at the Friday night Design Awards Dinner.
Vendor speaking opportunities
Panel discussion with leading
School of Architecture Deans

Mark it on your calendars to come join us in October !

2015 Annual Scholarship Awarded to Saif Haobsh

NJIT Architecture Student Receives AIA-NJ Scholarship Foundation Grant for the Second Time

AIA-NJ is pleased to announce that Saif Haobsh was granted the organization’s annual Scholarship Award. The $5,000 grant was presented to the Pompton Lakes resident at AIA-NJ’s annual gala, which was held in Moorestown, N.J. A rising star among New Jersey architecture students, Haobsh also received the prestigious AIA-NJ award in 2011.

Currently in his final year of studies as an NJIT architecture student, Haobsh has a stellar academic record, and intends to further his education with a Masters in Architecture. His extracurricular activities include serving as Manager of NJIT’s Fabrication Lab and model shop. He also served as Project Manager for the NJIT AIAS Freedom By Design, which involved renovating courtyards at a Newark public school and working on the façade design for an occupational rehabilitation center.

Haobsh’s architectural interests include his fascination with the topic of resiliency and the social implications of innovative living conditions and emerging technologies.

The AIA-NJ Scholarship Foundation Program grants scholarships to qualified architecture students who demonstrate scholastic achievement, talent and potential for success in the architectural profession.

“It always gives us great pleasure to recognize and encourage New Jersey architecture’s rising stars,” said Kimberly Bunn, president of AIA-NJ. “We will continue finding and awarding the brightest in young architecture talent, to help today’s student architects grow into the stewards of our profession.”

In addition to his AIA-NJ honors, in 2014, Haobsh received the Clarence Tabor Memorial Award from the Architects League of Northern New Jersey (ALNNJ) a local section of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ). The Tabor Award is given to students who have shown academic achievement and are entering the final year of an undergraduate architectural program.

Applications for the 2015-2016 Scholarship Award are available.  Find out more information and application online.

AIA-NJ 2015-2016 Scholarships Available

The AIA New Jersey Scholarship Foundation is seeking qualified applicants currently attending Schools of Architecture to award scholarship monies associated with the 2015-16 AIA New Jersey Scholarship Foundation Program of Scholarships.   An application form for grant consideration is required from all applicants.  Our Foundation encourages wide distribution of this notice along with disseminating information about our requirements and application forms (available on AIA NJ website) to eligible architectural students.

Deadline for receipt of completed applications for financial aid (including receipt of transcripts and portfolio materials) is FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015.   Grant awards may typically range in size from $2,500 to $5,000 per recipient and may be awarded to one or to multiple, selected architectural students for the 2015-16 School Year, dependent on funds available.

More information and application at aia-nj.org.

The award selection is based upon a scholastic achievement, financial need, personal statement of goals and interests, and architectural talent as determined by an evaluation of a portfolio submission.    If you have any questions about the scholarship program or our scholarship foundation, please direct them to:

Attn: Ms. Cris Miseo, AIA

Miseo Associates, PA Architects
205 Mt. Pleasant Avenue
East Hanover, New Jersey 07936

Work Tel. #973.533.0002

Denise Scott Brown Keynote at Scholarship Fundraiser

WIA Scholarship Fundraiser Featuring Denise Scott Brown

• CES LUsTBD
• Date 4/23/2015
• Time 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Location AIA Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
• Organization Women In Architecture
• Cost $40 AIA Member/Affiliate ($50 at Door); $50 non-member ( $60 at Door); $20 Student ($25 at Door); $250 Scholar Supporter
• Registration required.http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=vjjlyfdab&oeidk=a07earc6qoi…

Women In Architecture (WIA) is proud to present its Annual Scholarship Fundraiser featuring Denise Scott Brown. We will pay tribute to Denise’s influence on the architecture profession with presentations by esteemed colleagues and collaborators of Denise Scott Brown, including Claudia Cueto, Nancy Rogo Trainer as well as Caroline James and ArielleAssouline-Lichten, the women behind the Pritzker Prize petition. Their presentations will precede the keynote address by Denise herself where she will share insights of her pioneering career and discuss the changing role of women in the architecture and the design industry.

Come join us for an evening to honor Denise Scott Brown and her profound impact on the Philadelphia design community and the greater architecture profession. The proceeds of this event will support a Charter High School for Architecture & Design (CHAD) female graduating senior’s pursuit of a design degree.

Seats are limited, please RSVP today!

Help Celebrate Architecture Week

National Architecture Week April 12-18, 2015

This week we are celebrating Architecture Week. In order to celebrate we are promoting an #archselfie campaign. This campaign seeks to acknowledge that certain individual buildings can have more personal meaning than others, and for different reasons. A new project can reinvent the way we use, see, or experience them within our community. Sometimes it’s their resilience, never changing or moving, that holds the meaning and represents something constant in our lives. Or, an existing building may have shaped our lives, or the lives of countless others that came before us.

Therefore, we will be celebrating architecture as a source of reinvention, recognizing the architect’s profound ability to impact an industry through design, a community through a building’s purpose, and the beauty of architecture itself through restoration and historic preservation. As a part of this campaign we are asking anyone to post “selfies” of themselves in front of any architecture they deem worthy: is it unique, is it meaningful, is it a place near and dear to your heart? Is it your home, school or office? Is it a place where you live, work or play, eat, sleep or pray? Whatever the reason, share it with others using the hashtags #archselfie #archselfienj archweek2015 & #iLookUp, because every building has an architect!

This year Architecture Week also falls on Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13. While not educated as an architect, Jefferson is the only U.S. president to be recognized for his architectural affinity.  Jefferson once said: “Architecture is my delight.” Is it your delight? Learn more about Thomas Jefferson here, or share other resources you have found about him.

Happy Architecture Week!

AIA South Jersey Meeting

Quinn de Menna, AIA Appointed to AIA Design for Aging (DFA) Advisory Group

AIA-West Jersey would like to announce the appointment of Quinn de Menna, AIA to the AIA Design for Aging (DFA) Advisory Group. The eight (8) member national leadership board advocates for innovative design and shares research findings with professionals via the AIA DFA Knowledge Community, to promote quality of life and superior environments for an aging society. Quinn de Menna, AIA is currently Director of Architecture at Alberto & Associates, Inc. located in Haddonfield, NJ, and a frequent attendee of AIA-WJ sponsored events. Mr. de Menna has participated in efforts such as the AIA Design For Aging ADA Task Force and presented at national Senior Living Conferences including LeadingAge Annual Meeting, American Society on Aging, Pioneer Network and others; on topics ranging from Dining Trends to Accessible Toileting and Bathing. AIA-WJ is honored to have one of its members represented on this national board.

AIA-DFA has recently issued a Call for Entries for its 2015 AIA Design for Aging Review. This program, a joint effort of the AIA and LeadingAge, includes a juried exhibition, a companion book, and education programs. The program encompasses a broad view of facilities designed for senior citizens, including nursing homes, dementia care, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities.

The Design for Aging Review seeks not only to demonstrate architectural design trends and recognize excellence but also to serve as a reference for providers, developers, users, advocates, architects, and other design professionals in this growing market. Since the competition began in 1992, more than 300 facilities, domestic and international, have participated in the review.

AIA New Jersey members are encouraged to submit projects for recognition. Please visit the AIA-Design for Aging website here for full program details.

Nominations Open for 2016 AIANJ Officers

2016 OFFICERS FOR AIA-NJ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The following are the Candidates for the 2016 AIANJ Officer positions available : – President Elect (1 year term) Ben Lee, AIA – 1st Vice President (1 year term) Verity Frizzel, AIA – 2nd Vice President (1 year term) Judith A Donnelly, AIA – Secretary (2 year term) John Cwikla, AIA This is an excellent opportunity to have a voice in the workings of an organization that builds and sustains the VALUE OF THE ARCHITECT. If you have an interest and would like to review the what it takes to be a leader of  AIA-NJ, please contact Kurt M Kalafsky, AIA, 2015 Nominations Committee Chairman, no later than April 30, 2015 The following 2016 Officer positions are multi-year terms and will continue to be held to previously elected terms: President – Justin Mihalik AIA (Current President-Elect position) Treasurer – Steven Lazarus AIA (Second year of a 2 year term) Past President – Kimberly Bunn AIA (Current President position) Robert Cozzarelli AIA – Regional Representative (Third year of a 3 year term) Nick Caravella Assoc AIA – Regional Associate Director (Second year of a 3 year term)