Architect, planner, and urban designer Mark Strauss, FAIA, AICP, has been honored by New York State American Institute of Architects (AIA NYS) as the first recipient of the prestigious "Fellows Award." Established in 2006, the purpose of the award is to recognize a Fellow of the AIA who has exemplified the philosophy of mentorship within the profession. Additionally, the award recipient has exceeded in helping young architects, students, or unlicensed individuals to gain a greater knowledge of the profession and has assisted them in achieving more than they would have normally within the profession without this guidance. Strauss received his Fellows Award at a special ceremony at the 2007 AIA NYS Convention in early October.
As immediate past president of the AIA New York Chapter, Strauss has been an advocate for outreach and mentorship at the chapter. As noted by the current AIANY president, Joan Blumenfeld, "This is a great honor for Mark and the chapter. When Mark became president-elect of the New York Chapter in 2005, he observed that the chapter was not reaching out sufficiently to architects, just starting their own practice. As a remedy, he mobilized the chapter to initiate a forum to provide resources for young practices and to air common issues. The series was a major success, attracted over 500 attendees in four sessions, and led to establishing a 'New Practices Committee' at the chapter." Tags: