By Margaret Castillo, AIAIf you think August is a slow time for exciting news, think again: The Center for Architecture is expanding! The home of the AIA New York Chapter, the Center for Architecture, at 536 LaGuardia Place in the heart of Greenwich Village, has signed a 10-year lease for the adjacent storefront at 532 LaGuardia Place. On July 22, I was honored to sign the lease, with the full support of our forward-looking board of directors.
The additional 1,200 s/f of ground-level space is a much-needed expansion for the Center for Architecture. With over a thousand programs and twenty exhibitions taking place at the Center every year since its opening in 2003, plus office space housing our staff, the growth of the physical space is crucial to our continuing efforts to showcase the very best of what our members and our collaborators contribute to the dialogue on the built environment. New York-based architects and designers are at the very forefront of addressing issues of importance to the global design community. For example, two exhibitions now on view at the Center focus on New York's place within the international community as a hub for forward-thinking design: Glimpses of New York and Amsterdam in 2040 is a collaboration between New York and Dutch architects to imagine the future of sustainable design practices in these two waterfront sister cities, and New Practices São Paulo celebrates the work of emerging architects in Brazil, one of the world's fastest-growing economic powerhouses. The expansion into 532 LaGuardia Place will allow for increased participation for all who are interested in great design and the built environment, here in New York and throughout the world.
To that end, The Center for an Urban Future released a report in June 2011, entitled "Growth by Design," which details how New York City is home to a disproportionately large population of architects and designers. The report demonstrates the enormous economic impact the sector has on the city, but also describes how much more can be done to highlight and harness its potential for growth. Certainly, at the heart of the expansion plan is the AIA New York Chapter's dedication to serving and representing the local design community. AIANY recognizes the important contributions its members make to commerce in New York, and thanks to the foresight of its Board and staff, the bigger and better Center for Architecture will ensure that New York can continue to be a global leader in design, attracting the most innovative and exciting talents to partake of the opportunity to build their businesses in New York City.
As you make your plans for the fall, I hope you will keep abreast of all the events of Archtober, the AIANY/Center for Architecture's first annual month-long festival of architecture and design in New York City, with special programs, events, and exhibitions every day throughout the month of October. Archtober is a celebration of the built environment in New York City, and a great way for you and your colleagues to experience all that our industries do together, creating livable, sustainable communities. Additionally, I encourage you to make your reservations for the annual Heritage Ball on October 27; this year, we are honoring Richard Meier, FAIA, FRIBA; Gary Barnett, president, Extell Development Company; Janette Sadik-Kahn, commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation; and Leslie Koch, president, The Trust for Governors Island. Heritage Ball is the premier event connecting the architecture and design, construction, real estate, and governmental agency communities, and a great way for you to show your support for the colleagues and friends who represent what we achieve together to make New York the greatest city in the world.
See you in Archtober!
Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED AP, is the 2011 president of the N.Y. chapter of the AIA, New York, N.Y.

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