AIA NJ supports the passing of Senate Bill-3317

On June 26, 2017, NJ Senate passed S-3317 to require NJ to Join Climate Alliance to uphold Paris Climate Accord. AIA NJ supports the passing of this Senate Bill.

Along with AIA National, AIA NJ stands for a sustainable future and for protecting communities from the impact of climate change. 

Climate change caused by human activity remains one of the most urgent challenges of the 21st century. Rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases already are causing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and degradation of natural resources. These trends are projected to continue and possibly accelerate, posing significant risks to national security, human health, food supply, global economies, and natural ecosystems; many of these result in refugee crises.

The AIA recognizes that current planning, design, construction, and real
estate practices contribute to patterns of resource consumption that will inhibit
the sustainable future of the Earth. Architects, as the leaders in design of the
built environment, are responsible to act as stewards of the Earth.
Consequently, we encourage communities to join with us in changing the
course of the planet’s future by supporting governmental and private sector
policy programs, including the development, evaluation, and use of codes,
standards and evidence-based rating systems, that promote the design,
preservation, and construction of sustainable communities and highperformance
buildings.

It is in this spirit that AIA NJ supports the passing of Senate Bill-3317 and we are looking forward to supporting the passing of coordinating Assembly Bill-5040.

SENATE, No. 3317

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 2017

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  BOB SMITH, District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)

Senator  LINDA R. GREENSTEIN, District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

 

SYNOPSIS:      Requires NJ to join U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold Paris Climate Accord.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT:      As introduced.

An Act requiring New Jersey to join the United States Climate Alliance, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The State shall join the United States Climate Alliance and uphold the Paris Climate Accord, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and address the threats posed by climate change in accordance with the goals established therefor by the alliance.

 

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

STATEMENT

This bill would require New Jersey to join the United States Climate Alliance, a group formed to pursue policies to uphold the United States’ commitments to the Paris Climate Accord in order to address the threats posed by climate change.  The group was formed by the Governors of California, New York, and Washington after President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.

The Paris Climate Accord, joined by 195 countries, sets forth a five-year goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature below 2 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels and aims to limit the increase in average global temperature to 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels.  The signatories to the agreement also pledge to undertake rapid reductions in greenhouse gases thereafter in accordance with best available science. Before and during the Paris conference, countries submitted comprehensive national climate action plans.  Since the formation of the U.S. Climate Alliance, the Governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, as well as the Governor of Puerto Rico and the Mayor of the District of Columbia joined the alliance.  Hundreds of mayors, business leaders, and university presidents have committed to honor the goals of the Paris agreement as well.  The United States Climate Alliance is committed to upholding the Paris Climate Accord and reducing greenhouse gases in order to address the threats posed by climate change.

Current member states of the U.S. Climate Alliance comprise 36 percent of the United States population and over 30 percent of the United States gross domestic product.  The United States’ goal under the Paris Climate Accord was to reduce national emissions by 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

AIANJ 2018 Slate of Officers

2018 SLATE of OFFICERS

 

The slate of officers for 2018 AIANJ Executive Committee  is as follows, the election of these nominated officers will happen at the Annual Board Meeting on September 13th.

President:    Verity Frizzell, AIA

President Elect:     Judith Donnelly, AIA

1st Vice President:     Kim Vierheilig, AIA

2nd Vice President:    Ruth Bussacco, AIA

Secretary:  John Cwikla, AIA (two year term)

Treasurer:     Steve B. Lazarus, AIA (2nd Year of Two Year term)

Immediate Past President:     Ben Lee, AIA

Regional Representative (2nd Year of Three year term):    Bruce Turner, AIA

YARD:    Jessica O’Donnell, AIA

RAD:     Brandon Warshofsky, Assoc. AIA

 

If you have any questions regarding the slate of officers or the upcoming election, please contact  info@aia-nj.org.

AIAWJ Meeting and Allied Event – June 28th

On June 28th, we will gather to thank AIA West Jersey allied businesses and professionals at Flying Fish Brewery in Somerdale, NJ.   This General Membership Networking Social will feature a tour of the brewery, food and beverages, the opportunity meet local representatives, and a continuing education presentation all in a relaxed setting.

Event Update: This program has been approved for 3 HSW credits.

Confirmed attending Allied Members include: Andersen Windows & Doors, ARC Document Solutions, Diener Brick, Diversified Lighting Associates, DuBell Lumber Company, Garland Industries, Marvin Windows & Doors, and Pella Windows & Doors.  Please visit our website to learn more about your local representatives.  http://aiawestjersey.org/allied-members/

As an added bonus, June 28th is a “Barrel-Aged Wednesday” so Flying Fish will be tapping a special beer that evening.

The cost of admission includes the guided tour, one drink and souvenir pint glass, snacks, and the CEU presentation.  Full event details available below.   Please RSVP to Jessica O’Donnell, AIA at westjerseyaia@gmail.com by June 26th. 

AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey and AIA NJ’s Pop-Up Movie Night is June 15, 2017

Pack a picnic and some folding chairs.

Bring your friends and family.

Everyone is invited to this free movie in the park!

8PM Refreshments are served

8:40PM Scholarship winners are announced

9PM The Ffature film, Concert of Wills: Making the Getty Center, begins!

Come early to pick a prime spot on the village green

and enjoy the evening with your colleagues.

1.5 LUs for AIA members of all chapters

Report on the Michael Graves College, Robert Busch School of Design & School of Public Architecture at Kean University

Data provided by Dean David Mohney, FAIA through college liaison, Seth Leeb, AIA

The second year of the School of Architecture wrapped up last month with final studio reviews.  The student body consists of 52 architecture students with 36 more expected to enter in the fall.  Applications to the program are up 250% compared to last year, primarily because knowledge of the new program is increasing.

Of special note this term, NAAB visited in April to determine eligibility for Kean’s Candidacy for Accreditation application, the Michael Graves College held its first-ever Beaux Arts Ball, and the Dean’s Circle annual giving group held its first meeting in support of students working both externally as well as within the college on outreach projects to communities in New Jersey.

Ongoing is the careful ramping up of the use of the Michael Graves Warehouse in Princeton for college programs.  AIA/NJ is invited to use the Warehouse for a future board meeting, and will be hosting AIA/Newark and Suburban in September, coordinated by Seth Leeb.

Looking ahead, the fall term will begin with Peter Eisenman, FAIA, Int FRIBA, speaking at the Convocation ceremony. The college lecture series and professional workshops will continue through that semester. All AIA/NJ members are invited to these events. Finally, the first class of Architecture students begins at Wenzhou-Kean University in China this fall.

AIANJ Design Awards and QUAD State Conference

AIA New Jersey 2017 Design Awards will be juried in September.  Submission information will be released soon, with a submission deadline of August 15th.  What for more information.

All entries can also be submitted for the 2017 QUAD State Conference.

Find more information of the QUAD State Conference –

 

Mark your calendars to attend in the fall.

Preliminary schedule for the QUAD State event.

ACE MENTOR PROGRAM of NJ – 17th ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP DINNER

“For the past six years I have been part of the NJ affiliate of the national ACE Mentor Program whose focus is to mentor students curious about the building industry. These professionals range from architects, interior designers, and landscape architects; civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers; contractors, construction managers; and related companies and organizations.  Each dedicated member/mentor is willing to put long hours into a 100% voluntary effort, for the benefit of high school students and the future of the industry.

For those unfamiliar with the organization it’s a group of roughly 2,900 volunteers nationwide that lead students through hands on programs, 15 session of 2 hours each that simulate industry experience. Meant to inspire students to further explore studies in these fields, there is absolutely no cost to the students or to their associated schools!

In addition to volunteering for the face-to-face sessions, mentors\volunteers hold events to raise money for student scholarships. Students who enroll in an industry related degree will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships, which in the past have ranged from $500 up to $2,500, This year, however, we want offer our students more.

We’re inviting all members, industry organizations, school representatives, current and interested students and parents, related companies, and other interested individuals to the Annual Scholarship Dinner on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, NJ.   Come and meet our current active members and scholarship recipients; network and learn about selected projects around the state that have made impacts on their communities.  And if you are feeling extra generous, please donate or sign up to be a sponsor for this event!  Please go to www.AceMentor.org to learn about our organization, and visit our local affiliate page to register for the event at http://www.AceMentor.org/affiliates/new-jersey/new-jersey/events/. “

AIA Architects on a Mission to Bring Happiness and Cheer to the Young Patients at the Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando

By Laurence E. Parisi, AIA

A very special event took place during the 2017 AIA Conference in Orlando, for which I was privileged to be a part.  The mission of this event, sponsored by the Andersen Window Company under the auspices of the Cheeriodical Children’s Foundation, was to bring happiness to children receiving medical care at the Florida Hospital for Children.

When asked by Gary Messiano, Business Architectural Representative for Andersen Windows, to be part of this great program, I admit I was a bit apprehensive. The thought of children with serious medical issues makes me deeply saddened. However, after learning about all the good the Cheeriodicals organization does, I accepted this mission to bring happiness and comfort to children facing hardship.

When the conference floor opened on Thursday, volunteers for the Cheeriodical event gathered at the Andersen Window display and started preparing gift boxes by filling them with toys, games, puzzles, plush animals, and many other fun items.  All day long, there were many architects, students and other vendors stopping by and helping prepare gift boxes.  The boxes were tailored for children of all ages and genders. By the end of Thursday, we had prepared approximately 150 boxes.

AIA NJ Members give back: RSC Architects

On June 1st, Team RSC had a great time participating in the Corporate FunRun 5K held at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

AIA NJ Members John Capazzi, Ken Mihalik, Erik Polyzou, Jae Jang and Eva Peragallo participated. RSC is proud to Tackle Kids Cancer.

Our team of 25 was excited to support pediatric cancer research!

Take a #FLW150 Selfie with Flat Frank!

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION | MAY 31, 2017

We want to see how and where you’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright’s birth. So, we’ve created something that will be easy to take with you and fun to share, as you take part in activities honoring the legendary architect. Meet Flat Frank.

We’re always excited to see how Frank Lloyd Wright inspires you. And, as we commemorate 150 years of his innovative thinking, beautiful design, and continued influence, we encourage you to share your passion for his work.

http://franklloydwright.org/take-flw150-selfie-flat-frank/

 

Whether it’s at one of his buildings,  in your own home, or somewhere else that inspires you — join us in spreading the word with your very own Flat Frank. It’s easy!

Download Flat Frank here, and follow the directions to take the legendary architect with you on your adventures during this yearlong celebration.