Upcoming DfRR Earth Day Event

New York at Risk:  On The Waterfront

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM  RSVP

At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place

Organized by AIA NY's Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee (DfRR) & co-sponsored by The New York American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)

We’ve got 600 miles of coastline, water underground, water rushing at us from upstream, tidal currents rushing in from all around. We have one of the world’s largest natural harbors, from which an amazing port city grew. Even without a changing climate, we would have waterfront problems and just as many conflicting demands on our shores.

On Earth Day Sunday, a panel of design professionals will – no: must – consider current and future imperatives for our city’s bountiful but, in recent years, destructive waterfront.

The panel will address:

• What is New York City’s hydrological cycle? How does climate change affect it?

• What is at stake and what is at risk?

• What constitutes good long-range policy for water on, above, below, and beyond the city’s surface?

• What are the most interesting water-related ideas, proposals, and projects for the 5 boroughs, the city, and the region? Water’s edge, inland, and upland? Beach to wetland to building block?

All of DfRR’s programs address planning and design through the lens of what is at risk for New York City, how to avoid major episodes, and how to rebuild better after them. The committee presents experts and strategies to consider how the City’s form and buildings affect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.

Welcome and Introduction 
Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, DPACSA, Co-Chair, Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee
Illya Azaroff, AIA, Co-Chair, Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee

Moderator:
James Russell, FAIA, Architecture Critic, Bloomberg News

Panelists:
Jennifer Bolstad, Founder, Local Office Landscape Architecture 
Walter Meyer, Founders, Local Office Landscape Architecture
Bonnie Harken, AIA, President, Nautilus International
Anthony Romeo, AIA, Program Director of Park Programs, NYC Dept. of Design & Construction
Claire Weisz, FAIA, Founder, wxy architecture + urban design

Schedule
3pm - 5pm Panel Presentation & Discussion
5pm - 5:30pm Reception

Price:  Free for AIA/ASLA Members and students;  $10 for non-memebers
AIA CES: 1.5 LU   1.5 HSW

"Sandy's Watery Wake-up Call"

Check out the new Spring issue of Oculus featuring the article "Sandy's Watery Wake-up Call", written by DfRR co-chairs, Lance Jay Brown FAIA & Illya Azaroff AIA.  The article discusses and explores steps that must be taken to prevent future loss and devastation.

For the full article, click HERE.

Fears of lawsuits held back Sandy help

The following excerpt is from a recent article featured in Crain's New York, where Architects say state's tough tort laws are barrier to free advice after a disaster hits.

"We had 400 people turn out, all ready to go, but in the end nobody here wanted to expose them to what could have been considerable litigation—thousands, and even sometimes millions of dollars," said Lance Jay Brown, co-chair of AIA New York City's Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee, which put out the call to arms.

For the complete article, click here.

Recent Lecture led by DfRR co-chair

DfRR co-chair, Illya Azaroff presented and led the discussion as part of The Current Issues Lecture Series at the School of Visual Arts last week.  The lecture looked and discussed pre & post Sandy preparations and responses.

Presentation on Construction Standards in Flood Zones and Procedures for Rebuilding After Sandy

On January 22nd, 2013, The Building Code Committee of the New York Chapter of the AIA presented a practical course, Construction Standards in Flood Zones and Procedures for Rebuilding After Sandy.  The presented course covers construction standards in flood zones, including new construction, substantial damage, substantial improvement, alterations, and repairs. Also covered, are the regulatory framework for design and construction in flood zones, including areas regulated by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

Click Here to download the presentation.

Updated Event: NYC's Post-Sandy Recovery: How're We Doin'?

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM — RSVP

At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place
Organized by: Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee & The New York American Society of Landscape Architects

Three months after the ravages of Superstorm Sandy, this program brings together architects, government, and civic leaders to both report on the status and effectiveness of New York City and the region's recovery. The session will provide an opportunity to evaluate housing, neighborhood and open space clean-up and rebuilding initiatives.

On October 21st, 2012,  AIANY’s Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee (DfRR) fielded a similarly-constituted panel at the Center for Architecture to address the question: “After Disaster: How Does New York Plan to Recover?” Only eight days later, Hurricane Sandy devestated the region--an unprecedented challenge to the disaster-recovery systems that were described in October. This program asks: Do you think they worked? And what now?

DfRR has focused the Chapter’s efforts on disaster awareness and preparedness. It is an interdisciplinary committee  of architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, and related professionals and is a source for information, discussion, connections, and the most advanced thinking on risk, mitigation, and resilience.

Welcome:
Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, DPACSA
Illya Azaroff, AIA
Co-Chairs, AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee

Moderator:
Denisha Williams, RLA, LEED AP
Immediate Past President, New York Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

Speakers:
Erica Keberle
Deputy Director, NYC Mayor’s Office of City Legislative Affairs, NYC Rapid Repairs, External Affairs

Bram Gunther
Chief, Forestry & Horticulture and Natural Resources Group, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Thaddeus Pawlowski
Associate Urban Designer, Office of the Chief Urban Designer, New York City Department of City Planning

Anthony C. Romeo, AIA
Parks Program Director, New York City Department of Design + Construction

Dean Sakamoto, FAIA, LEED AP
Urban Resilience Lab, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Ronald Schiffman, FAICP, Hon. AIA NYS
Professor, Pratt Graduate Center for Planning, Pratt Center for Community Development

Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and 100% of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.

AIA CES: 1.5 LUs | 1.5 HSW
LACES: 1.5 NYS LA CEUs/ 1.5 HSW
Price: Free for AIA & NYASLA members; $10 for non-members

RSVP

AIA Trains First 45 New York area SAP Post-Disaster Damage Assessment Volunteers!

The 12/22/2012 training was initiated by the DfRR, supported by AIA national, and hosted by the AIANY Chapter.

Rick Bell, FAIA and Lance Jay Brown, FAIA welcomed and introduced the program and Dan Eschenasy, P.E., Chief Structural Engineer for the NYC Dept. of Buildings gave a lunchtime presentation including how NYC hopes to engage architects in the future. The day long program was expertly delivered by Rachel Minnery, AIA, LEEDac, Chair of the AIA Disaster Assistance Advisory Group.


Illya Azaroff (DFRR Co-Chair), Rachel Minnery (AIA Disaster Assisstance Advisory Group Chair), Lance Brown (DFRR Co-Chair)

 images from the AIA training of our first 45 New York area SAP post-disaster damage assessment volunteers!



SAP post-disaster damage assessment training



Reminder: Event Tonight

Designing the City after Superstorm Sandy: Fundraiser & Discussion

Photo by andjelicaaa via the architect's newspaper

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Klaus Jacob - Geophysicist, Urban Environmental Disaster Expert, Columbia University (SIPA, EI/LDEO)
Rob Rogers, FAIA - Principal, Rogers Marvel Architects
Stephen Cassell, AIA, LEED AP - Principal, Co-Founder, Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Cynthia Barton - Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Moderator: Michael Kimmelman - Chief Architecture Critic, The New York Times

DETAILS

Thursday, November 15, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  — RSVP
At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place [Directions] 

DONATION

Suggested Donation: $10
All contributions will be donated to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and one hundred percent of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.
RSVP

Reminder: Committee Meeting Tonight

DfRR Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 14th
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Center for Architecture. 

Designing the City after Superstorm Sandy: Fundraiser & Discussion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  — RSVP
At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place [Directions] 

Superstorm Sandy has left us all wondering: what is the role of design in protecting our city against climate change? This fundraiser will feature thoughtful discussion between leaders in disaster resilience design. The Center for Architecture will donate the evening’s proceeds to disaster relief efforts through the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.

Speakers:
Klaus Jacob - Geophysicist, Urban Environmental Disaster Expert, Columbia University (SIPA, EI/LDEO)
Rob Rogers, FAIA - Principal, Rogers Marvel Architects
Stephen Cassell, AIA, LEED AP - Principal, Co-Founder, Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Cynthia Barton - Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Moderator: Michael Kimmelman - Chief Architecture Critic, The New York Times

Organized by: AIA New York and the Center for Architecture Foundation
Supported by: AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee (DfRR) and the AIANY Committee on the Environment (COTE)

Suggested Donation: $10
All contributions will be donated to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and one hundred percent of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.
RSVP

Architects Respond to a Call for Post-Sandy Aid

Here is a recent article from Architectural Record by Fred A. Bernstein.  The article discusses the DfRR co-chairs, Lance Jay Brown and Illya Azaroff,  recent efforts into helping architects obtain training for performing damaged building assessments Post-Sandy.



A house destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, NY.
Photo by Ian Reid



Architects and Engineers Needed for Post-Hurricane Building Evaluations

Dear AIA New York Members:

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, city, state, and federal agencies have formed a Disaster Housing Task Force ("Task Force"). This Task Force has asked architects and engineers to help with the evaluation of damage to the estimated 35,000 buildings affected by the storm. Damage assessment of these buildings is essential for families to return to their homes and for businesses to reopen.

AIA New York and its Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee ("DfRR") are therefore looking for registered architects and professional engineers interested in helping.

There are two ways you can become involved:

(1) If you are already trained or certified for such damage assessment by an approved agency, please send us your name, address, AIA member number, and date of certification, or;

(2) If, in order to help, you wish to receive damage assessment training through the New York City Department of Buildings ("NYC DOB"), please send us your name, address, and AIA member number.

Please send responses to dfrr@aiany.org. In your emails, indicate which way (1 or 2) you are interested in becoming involved.

AIA New York will then submit a list of interested professionals to the Mayor's Office and the NYC DOB to advance this effort.

Interested participants should note that training is the first step to becoming involved. AIA New York and DfRR will be working closely with governing officials and response organizers to address liability issues and identify the agencies for which volunteers will work.

Thank you for your interest and support of recovery efforts,

Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, and Illya Azaroff, AIA
Co-chairs, AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee

 

CDEM's Response to the 2011 Earthquake in Chistchurch




ChristChurch Cathedral, post-earthquake. Photo via MSNBC



The February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand caused many deaths and injuries, damaged tens of thousands of homes, and may bring about a complete change to the city's central business district.

New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defense & Emergency Management has published the following report: Review of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Response to the 22 February Christchurch Earthquake. According to the agency's media release, "the Ministry commissioned the report to identify lessons for the management of future emergencies" but overall reported their response to have been well managed and appropriate. More information can be found at the New Zealand CDEM's website.