The Center for Architecture is a community center for all building professionals

By Margaret Castillo, AIAThe American Institute of Architects New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture Foundation celebrated the annual Heritage Ball on October 27, a festive black tie event at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers that brought together 1,200 members of the architectural, design, real estate, construction, engineering, and urban planning communities. This year, we honored four New Yorkers who have made lasting, measurable contributions to the city with their individual and collective visions of the impact of great architecture and design on the urban landscape. After the past several years of economic downturn, we felt extraordinarily grateful for the 8.3 percent increase in fundraising this year, up from $1.1 million in 2010 to $1.3 million in 2011. These funds go directly to supporting the programs of the Center for Architecture, the 15,000 net s/f public gallery and meeting space that is home to the AIA New York Chapter and Center for Architecture Foundation. We were fortunate to have the generous friendship and support of Silvian Marcus, PE, FASCE, chairman, WSP Cantor Seinuk, as this year's dinner chair; Silvian was an unwavering champion of making the 2011 Heritage Ball the success it was, and we are thankful for all of the work he and his team undertook on our behalf. This year's honorees likewise represent the top-tier of influencers in the civic and building sectors. We recognized Gary Barnett, president and founder, Extell Development Company, with the 2011 AIA New York Chapter Award; in his letter to Heritage Ball attendees, Silvian called Barnett, "the most dynamic of today's developers, [and] his support for architecture can be seen in the many towers that have been constructed or transformed under Extell's banner." Barnett and Extell were also benevolent supporters of this year's fundraising goals, and we know that the architectural community will continue to reap the rewards of Extell's ongoing investment in great design for the cityscape. As chapter president, it was indeed my honor to give the 2011 president's Award to Richard Meier, FAIA, FRIBA, managing partner, Richard Meier & Partners Architects, for his lifetime of accomplishments as an architect and mentor. As cited in the Heritage Ball dinner journal, during Richard's "fifty-year career, he has transformed both public and private spaces around the world including courthouses, museums, schools, and residences, all displaying his signature aesthetic vision." Truly, Richard's impact on the profession, and the built environment around the world, is immeasurable, and we are all in awe of his contributions. The Center for Architecture Award was given to Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, for her achievements in transforming the streets of our cityscape into a more sustainable, attractive, and vibrant space to be utilized and enjoyed by New Yorkers and visitors alike. Janette's initiatives include the popular car-free Summer Streets program that opens lengthy corridors of streets to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the vast increase in the number of dedicated bike lanes, creating a safer, sustainable environment for an alternative mode of transport; both are central to Mayor Bloomberg's vision for the future of a healthier, greener New York City. Sadik-Khan's impact will continue to yield positive, calculable results for many years to come. The Center for Architecture Foundation honored Leslie Koch, president, The Trust for Governors Island, for her leadership in the truly amazing redevelopment of the island as a public-use and private event space and park. Nicknamed "The Park at the Center of the World," Koch's success in re-imagining Governors Island is an outstanding example of how a dedicated, determined professional can step in and adapt an unused space for the greater public good. Governors Island is, thanks to Koch, now a public space that promises to enhance New Yorkers' quality of life with cultural, educational, and park space programs with virtually unlimited potential. The work of these four honorees embodies some of the best qualities of my presidential theme, Design for a Change. I wish to encourage everyone to visit the Center for Architecture to experience the Buildings=Energy exhibition, which remains on view through January 21, 2012. Buildings=Energy is a great example of the important programming the Center provides to inform and educate design professionals and the public alike, and we appreciate our colleagues in the real estate community who generously support the Center at Heritage Ball and throughout the year. Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED AP, is the 2011 president of the N.Y. chapter of the AIA, New York, N.Y.