Celebrating the best in architecture

By Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, IIDAEvery year, the American Institute of Architects elects members to its College of Fellows. To earn an "F" before one's "AIA" moniker, an architect has to meet a number of criteria - prime amongst them "contributions of national significance to the profession." This year, 134 architects across the country became Fellows of the AIA. Fourteen of these honors were bestowed on New York City architects, and on March 4, we came together to celebrate their singular achievements. From public works to print journalism, these architects are exemplary members of our community. Christine Bodouva, FAIA, has made a name for herself as a leading transportation architect; her airports move millions of people every day. Michael Doyle, FAIA, has set himself apart as an architect because of preservation projects from Katmandu to Mulberry Street; he understands the importance of saving cultural spaces for future generations. Donald Fram, FAIA, chief architect of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has transformed many of our mass transit portals, adding design excellence to our daily lives. The designs of Lia Gartner, FAIA, LEED AP, have improved academic and institutional buildings across the city, including at her current institution, the New School. Stephanie Gelb, FAIA, has literally transformed the face of Manhattan, through her work sheparding the Battery Park City master plan to realization. Alex Klatskin, FAIA, may be a familiar name to New York's real estate professionals - in addition to his work as an architect, he is a developer of commercial real estate in the Tristate region and has long contributed to the NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Joan Krevlin, FAIA, LEED AP, has created beautiful educational, community based and civic facilities for New Yorkers to live and learn together. Sandro Marpillero, FAIA, has brought nature back into the urban experience with innovative designs that bring sustainability to broad audiences. Bernard Marson, FAIA, was a critical player in the transformation of Soho from its sweatshop past to its jewel-like present. As an assistant commissioner with the Department of Design and Construction, Bogdan Pestka, FAIA, raised the bar for public buildings in New York City. While he was trained as an architect, James Russell, FAIA, made his primary contribution to the field as a journalist, from Architectural Record to his current position as Bloomberg's architecture critic. Walter Sedovic, FAIA, LEED, has made sustainable preservation a hallmark of his practice, and has preserved some of New York's most iconic buildings. As a partner at Pei Cobb Freed, Yvonne Szeto, FAIA, has contributed to the culture and commerce of countries around the world through inspiring architecture. If you've been counting, you'd realize we're missing one: yours truly. I was humbled and thrilled to be amongst the honorees for my work with Mancini Duffy as their chairman and CEO. This was not the only celebration of great design last week. The American Institute of Architects New York Chapter also announced their 2010 Design Awards Winners. Juries from across the continent picked winners in four categories - architecture, interiors, unbuilt work, and, for the first time, urban design. While the jury brought an international perspective, the awards are all about New York: projects had to be (1) by New York architects or (2) located in New York. While the jury symposium on March 1 drew a huge crowd, it's just the beginning of the celebration of these commendable projects. The architecture, real estate, and construction communities will be celebrating these great New York projects and people at the Design Awards Luncheon, April 14 at Cipriani Wall Street. If the Fellows Reception honored the lifetime achievements of architects in our community, this year's Design Awards will celebrate the current stars and future leaders of the design community. I encourage you to join us. Start by visiting www.aiany.org/dalunch, and I hope to see you soon. Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, IIDA, is the 2010 president of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, New York, N.Y.