2019 Women in Building Services: Serda Urganciyan, CNY Group

Name: Serda Urganciyan, RA

Title: Senior Project Manager

Company Name: CNY Group 

How many years have you been in your current field? 24 years

List up to three CRE organizations that you are currently a member of: 

• AIA – Long island
• AIA – New York City

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
In my career I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of some historically significant projects, such as the 9-11 Memorial & Museum and the jaw-dropping condo conversions to the Woolworth Building. However, nothing has struck such a chord of purpose as my current project in Queens. I’ve been involved in The Crossing at Jamaica Station, a low income and market-rate high rise tower of 500+ units soaring over the LIRR and Jamaica landscape. There is no glitz nor glamour, but that’s the appeal! Hard working families will have an opportunity to reside in clean, safe, new living accommodations with unbelievable views! It’s exciting being at the inception of a neighborhood renaissance, one building at a time. 

What trend(s) do you predict to dominate your industry in 2019?
Trends I predict parlay directly with low income and affordable housing. The inherent need for housing cannot be denied. This need is the perfect environment in which to foster creativity in both design practice and production trades for prefabrication. I believe the increased volume of demand for housing has driven the trades to come up with creative efficiencies, whether in pre-fabrication of basic components or of entire rooms. Prefabrication can be cheaper, faster and environmentally friendly, in addition to providing a more controlled and safer job-site. I believe the right partnership with motivated designers, innovative builders, adequate public/private investments and a motivated community can result in a very successful housing environment.