Here, now and the future: Busy times ahead!

By: Joseph Aliotta, AIA, LEED AP From schools, universities, young architects, and new firms, my AIA New York 2012 presidential theme "Future Now!" anticipates the future of design here and now. The Center for Architecture's key autumn exhibition, "The Edgeless School: Design for Education in the Digital Age," opens on October 1 and explores innovative and sustainable learning environments. It is joined by an exhibition of schools from Finland called, "The Best School: Seven Finnish Examples from the 21st Century" and our annual architecture schools exhibition that showcases exemplary student work from 14 graduate programs in the region. We will also open "Building Connections," which presents the accomplishments of K-12 students in the Center for Architecture Foundation's "Learning by Design: NY" program. Our fall season is made special by the second annual Archtober festival of architecture and design, and the Future Now! Summit. It culminates with the festive Heritage Ball and the fabulous Party@theCenter, both on Thursday, October 25. Busy times certainly populate this fall's architectural calendar. Our Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) has been actively empowering and engaging young professionals. They have organized The Future Now! Summit, convening September 22, which will feature a program designed to help emerging architects navigate the economy and anticipate their next years of practice. Through action and reflection, participants will propose real solutions to the changing needs of our industry. AIA Fellows will also meet with emerging professionals on a two-way street of mentorship and sharing. This interactive, day-long conference is designed to highlight the connections among design, construction, real estate, finance, and business. As a platform for dialogue, it will bring together interested individuals to propose solutions for the future of architecture and buildings in the New York and around the world. Archtober (ärk'tober), our second-annual Architecture and Design Month, also kicks off on October 1. This festival brings together many of the city's architecture and design organizations and museums with a common calendar of special tours, lectures, films, and exhibitions that focus on the importance of architecture and design in everyday life. New York City is home to nearly 40,000 architects and design professionals, which is the largest pool of design talent in the country. As in its inaugural year, Archtober will continue to demonstrate this sector's powerful economic impact and draw global attention to one of New York's leading exports. In addition, the popular "Building of the Day" series is reprised for 2012. Architects and other design professionals will lead the free noontime tours, which include contemporary buildings and historic sites, a new addition for 2012. The chapter's committees and staff are busy working to develop and refine policy platform statements in preparation for the citywide 2013 elections. Our platform is meant to engage all candidates for public office in New York City as we advocate for the built environment. We encourage you to learn more about AIA New York's advocacy efforts and get involved! Mentorship, outreach, and advocacy just begin to describe all the energy and activity at the Center for Architecture, and we look forward to further engagement with real estate professionals, too. Together, we can build the future. Joseph Aliotta, AIA, LEED AP, is the 2012 president of the AIA New York Chapter, New York, N.Y.