Architects and engineers speak of challenges and opportunities at PWC event

"Tonight, we have a stellar cast from the architecture and engineering community," said Professional Women in Construction (PWC) National president Lenore Janis, noting that each of the speakers at PWC's annual Meet the Architects and Engineers was actively working with budgets that may reach into the billions. The August networking and table-top exhibit event drew a capacity crowd to Club 101 in New York City. The evening began with a special presentation of the Gwendolyn Colbert Kushner (GCK) Memorial Scholarship by PWC board member and scholarship chair Barbara Armand, president of the Armand Corporation, and PWC-NJ president Norma Tempel, president of Etched in Stone. Developed by Colbert Kushner, who died in February, 2009, in collaboration with Columbia University School of Continuing Education, the award is designed to encourage women working in the industry to further their careers through advanced study. The recipients were Andis Woodlief, LEED AP, a Columbia University Continuing Ed student and president of her own company, CxA Services which offers technology solutions for construction, and Terry Levy of Gilbane Building Company, a second year student in Columbia University's master of science in Construction Administration program. The evening's first speaker, Gina Pollara, executive director of FDR Four Freedoms Park (Roosevelt Island), said that the design created by the late Louis Kahn, FAIA, in 1974 will launch at a cost of $45 million in October 2009 with Mitchell Giurgola as architects of record. Pollara said, "With a phenomenal design, it will be an exciting addition to the New York skyline, an incredible site overlooking the UN." John Brederhorst, P.E., LEED AP, executive vice president/managing director, WSP Flack + Kurtz, explained that while his firm had to "restructure and realign with fewer and smaller projects," it is succeeding due to its diversifaction in market sectors, and is poised for action when the economy rebounds. "Though the economy is definitely on the upswing, we can't wait until it's fully corrected. We need to survive through adaptation. The work is out there, but we need to look with a different point of view," said Brederhorst. Susan Kaplan, LEED AP, director of sustainability at Battery Park City Authority, encouraged all from "landscape architects to green printers," to get involved in the $100 million three-year budget comprising 18 green projects including a community center, a plaza, artificial turf ball fields and numerous upgrades and infrastructure renovations to existing buildings. She noted BPCA's strong W/MBE program. Anthony Fieldman, AIA, LEED AP, principal of Perkins & Will, noted that the firm's values keep it strong saying, "We support an entrepreneurial spirit and stress a collaborative approach that supports each other's strengths." Bruce Barrett, RA, LEED AP, vice president of architecture & engineering, NYC School Construction Authority, invited "designers, vendors, suppliers, and contractors," to get involved in the $11.3 billion, five-year capital plan that will invest $5.2 billion for capacity - new schools, additions - and $6.1 billion in capital improvements. Photographs by Michael Roach.