New Year, New Use: A Case Study Discussion

DATE: Thursday, January 18, 2024
TIME: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
VENUE: 22-26 Montgomery Street, Middletown, NY 10940
CREDITS: 2 AIA HSW
PRICE:  $20 AIA Members & Non Members/ $5.00 Assoc. AIA Members & Students

Come together for networking and an opportunity to be part of a discussion regarding adaptive reuse set against the backdrop of a downtown warehouse turned loft-living apartment building in Middletown, NY.  Topics of the process of adaptive reuse, the hurdles of development, planning, zoning, and the architect-builder-developer relationship will be discussed.

Schedule:
4:00-5:00pm - Networking, Cocktail Hour (Charcuterie, Wine, Beer Available)
5:00-5:30pm - Discuss Downtown Village design and objective, Walk through
5:30-6:30pm - Presentation: New Year, New Use - A case study discussion, Downtown Village

Orchard Beach and Hunter Island Walking Tour

Date: October 21, 2023
TIme: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Venue: Orchard Beach Parking Lot, Bronx, NY 10464
Credits: 2 AIA
Price: AIA $20 / Associate AIA $20 / Non-members $30
RSVP to Bob Esnard: besnard@dzco.com , 212-977-4800 
Special Instructions - Wear comfortable shoes and tour will take place rain or shine.

The AIA walking tour will explore the promenade of Orchard Beach and discuss its architectural history, as well as situating the “Riviera of The Bronx” in its historical context; that is, the Robert Moses sponsored urban planning of the 20th century and its impact on The Bronx and New York City. The beach was borne out of the WPA and public works associated with the New Deal era of Franklin Roosevelt The walk will also focus on the development of the Bronx Park system and the City Beautiful movement of the late 19th and early 20th century’s, with a particular emphasis on Pelham Bay Park, at 2,772 acres, the largest park in New York City, of which Orchard Beach is a part. Pelham Bay Park was borne of a particularly propitious moment for city beautiful movement. The annexation of the West Bronx to New York City (in 1874) and the East Bronx (in 1895) hastened the urban development of The Bronx as a major mixed use business/residential urban area, a far cry from its early days as a critical agricultural supplier for New York City. Highlighted will be examples of urban planning and architectural construction that allowed for the creation of green spaces, which began early on in The Bronx with the New Parks Act of 1884. The act, spearheaded by Irish journalist and political reformer John Mullaly, created a committee charged with buying parkland north of the Harlem River, in what became the borough of The Bronx in 1898. As a result, the amount of total parkland in the Bronx is 4,000 acres, the most of any borough of New York City. Bronx Parks includes the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo, two institutions who were founded at the same time as the new parks were formed. All of these components of urban planning and the city beautiful movement will be discussed, as well as the private sector efforts combined with the government of the State and City of New York, to orchestrate the creation of Orchard Beach and Hunters Island in Pelham Bay Park in the 20th century. In addition, a system of “greenways” was laid out to connect these parks, including Pelham Parkway, which connected Pelham Bay Park to Bronx Park, so Bronx residents could get to any of the parks with ease. The access to Orchard Beach and Hunter Island is an excellent example of the Pelham Parkway “greenway” which include; a roadway for buses and cars, horse trails, running path, walkways, bicycle area and various seating locations and open spaces. The tour will visit the Hunter Island Wildlife Reserve, just adjacent to Orchard Beach. The flora and fauna of the East Bronx will be discussed, as will preservation efforts to maintain the ecology of Pelham Bay Park in a heavily urbanized Bronx. The tour will proceed down the Theodore Kazimiroff Nature Trail and hiking trails, and conclude at the Orchard Beach Parking lot where the tour began.

Orange County Government Center Tour

Date: September 22, 2023
Time: 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Credits: 3 AIA PDH HSW
Venue: Orange County Government Center- 255 Main Street Goshen, New York 10924
Price: AIA members $20:00 / Assoc. Members $10:00 / Non-Members:$35:00

A unique opportunity to tour the iconic Orange County Government Center and learn about its complex history from different perspectives. Lead Designer for the 2015 addition, Jason Streb from CPL, along with Orange County Historian, Johanna Yaun, will speak to a wide range of topics including the differing opinions between the local community, the design challenges associated with the restoration of the original 1967 building, and balancing the new with the existing.

Event Schedule: 

12:30-1:00: Check in, Registration, Security Check
1:00-2:00: Site History From Past to Present with Johanna F. Yaun, Orange County Historian
2:00-4:00: Design Process, Documentation, and Construction with Jason Streb, AIA, CPL
4:30: Meet after for drinks (Kelley Jeans Bar and Restaurant, drinks/food on your own)

Scarsdale Library Tour

Light reception sponsored by

Nexus

DATE: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
TIME: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
VENUE: Scarsdale Library, 54 Olmsted Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583
CREDITS: 2 AIA HSW
PRICE: $25 AIA / $20 Assoc. AIA / $40 Non Members

Tour the Newly Renovated Scarsdale Library with Dattner Principal Daniel Heuberger!  Understand changes in library programming from the 1970s to today.  Understand the analysis that resulted in the decision to renovate and expand, rather than replace, this community facility.  Learn about the passive Sustainable strategies, including solar shading, used in the design of this renovation / expansion.  Learn how a rain screen system was detailed to connect to the existing building.

Speaker: Daniel Heuberger, AIA, LEED AP, Principal of Dattner Architects

Passive House Adaptive Re-Use
Tour of River Architects Studio

Date: Sunday, October 23, 2022
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Venue: River Architects Studio, 178 Main Street, Cold Springs, NY 10516
Credits: 2 AIA HSW
Price: $10 AIA Members/$20 Non Members / Free for Assoc. AIA - must register for credits

Save the date for a tour of the River Architects Studio in Cold Springs, New York! A building tour of a Phius-certified small commercial building. This is a retrofit of a historic blacksmith shop transformed into a net-zero design studio.

We will show the basic principles of the Passive House design and construction, energy efficient retrofit strategies for historic buildings, ventilation controls and building automation, and the integrated solar, EV charging, and all-electric building with minimal grid impact.

AIAWHV Presents:  The Howland Cultural Center Celebrating 150 Years

DATE: Saturday, August 6, 2022 (Registration deadline August 4 at noon)
TIME: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (Hors D'oeuvres/Cocktails immediately following)
VENUE: The Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY 12508
CREDITS: 5 AIA PDH - All Day Attendance Required
PRICE: AIA $60/ Associate AIA $40/ Non Members $80
PRICE Including Hors D'oeuvres/Cocktails: AIA $85/ Associate AIA $65/ Non Members $105

Join us in Beacon, New York, for celebrating The Howland 150 and Richard Morris Hunt's architectural "Jewel of Beacon" by The Howland Cultural Center. The Howland’s official celebrations (free) will start at 5pm on Friday, August 5, 2022.  Join us for the weekend and learn more here: http://www.howlandculturalcenter.org/.  Saturday, August 6th, speakers include historian Steve Baltsas, and architects James Rhodes, FAIA, and Jeff Wilkinson, RA. Introductions by AIA WHV President, J.C. Calderón, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP.

Schedule:

11:00 am - 1:00 pm - 3 Short Lectures on the architecture of Richard Morris Hunt, the Howland’s Architect and the Howland Cultural Center. Back of the house guided tour of the Howland.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Lunch on your own
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm - Back door guided tour of the local Craig House, Historic Home of General Joseph and Eliza Woolsey Howland, by Architect Frederick Clarke Withers with Richard Morris Hunt designed music room
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm - Back door guided tour of the local Dutch Reformed Church of Beacon, Architect Frederick Clarke Withers
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm - Guided tour of the local Dia Beacon, contemporary art museum
5:00 pm - Hors D'oeuvres/Cocktails optional

Morning Lectures

​​​​​​​Steven Baltsas:
Just before the Civil War, architects and landscape designers attempted to locate a spirit of place in Beacon. Their ultimate solution was High Victorian Gothic, the gateway to a modern, multiethnic architecture Richard Morris Hunt responded to in 1871 with his works for Joseph Howland. Steven Baltsas is an architectural historian and writer from New Windsor, New York. His research examines the interplay between architecture and literature in mid-Victorian America and Britain, especially Romanticism in the Hudson Valley. Steven is a senior at SUNY New Paltz, where he studies English and Art History.

James Rhodes, FAIA:
James Rhodes, FAIA will expand on the historic basis provided by Mr. Baltsas, addressing Hunt, the Architect, his contribution to the founding of the American Institute of Architects in 1857, leading a revival of Renaissance style and expression of classical forms throughout the region and the nation. Topics will include Hunt's design of the base of the Statue of Liberty, the "Golden Door" of Ellis Island—designed by Architects Boring and Tilton, itself built upon landfill from New York City subways; leading to the iconic Beaux Arts landmark, Grand Central Terminal, by Architects Warren and Wetmore. James W. Rhodes, FAIA is an Architect experienced in the design, coordination and direction of historic preservation projects of national significance ranging from large and complex works like the U.S. Capitol, Ellis Island and Grand Central Terminal to more personally focused and artfully detailed, like Temple Emanu-El, the Guggenheim Museum and the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City, to more humble structures of the historic vernacular, like High Breeze Farm in Highland Lakes, New Jersey, Montgomery Place Visitor’s Center in Red Hook, New York, and “Reaching Through The Shadow", the Memorial to 9/11 on the waterfront in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Mr. Rhodes is a ten-year resident of Beacon, NY.

Jeff Wilkinson, AIA
The Howland Center has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976. Jeff Wilkinson will speak on his work as the architect of the site's restoration. Known throughout the Hudson Valley as the “Jewel of Beacon” the Howland Cultural Center, originally known as the Howland Library, stands prominently on the southwest corner of Main Street and Tioronda Avenue in Beacon, New York. Since 1871 when the building opened as a library, it has been a community centerpiece for the city. Currently, the building functions as a center for art and culture which embraces the entire community. In addition to monthly art exhibitions and music performances, the center hosts various children’s programming, including weekly music classes and summer art camps. And also host poetry readings, dances, chamber music concerts, and theatre productions throughout their calendar schedule. The Howland Center Board of Directors is aware that the building is due for extensive exterior restoration. The Board hired local architect Jeff Wilkinson of Jeff Wilkinson, R.A. to prepare the Building Assessment report for the building exterior. The goal of the report was to outline a proper scope of work for the restoration of an American masterpiece and to establish a realistic budget for the Board to begin the important process of fundraising. Jeff Wilkinson, R.A. will present various photos and findings related to the Assessment report which focused on the Exterior Restoration of this significant High Victorian masterpiece. Mr. Wilkinson has served for over 6 years as the reviewing Architect for the City of Newburgh's Architectural Review Commission.

AIA BRONX PRESENTS A WALKING TOUR: MIXED USES OF NORWOOD

DATE: Saturday, June 4, 2022
TIME: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
CREDITS: 2 CEU
LOCATION: Norwood Bronx - Meet at the Entrance at 3266 Bainbridge Ave. Bronx, NY 10467
PRICE: (20 tickets are available) AIA member $20 / AIA Assoc.$20 / Non-member $30
For More Information & Tickets: CONTACT: Bob Esnard - besnard@dzco.com , 212-977-4800

The Director of Education for The Bronx County Historical Society, and a Bronx AIA Architect will lead a walking tour of Norwood, Bronx, NY, chronicling its’ place in the Bronx and New York City. Included are how historical, architectural and infrastructure construction impacted residential areas, the regional railroad, roads, and reservoirs within and adjacent to Norwood. Urban planning, public and private investment within the context of the growth of Norwood will be reviewed.

The area grew from the Kings Bridge over the Spuyten Duyvil Creek – one of the only bridges connecting Manhattan in the 18th century, as well as the construction of the railroad, Albany Post Road and Boston Post Road connecting New York City to Albany and Boston. The major roads and Parkways through the neighborhood such as; Gun Rill Road and the Mosholu Parkway, give easy access to the regional parks; Pelham Bay Parkway, Mosholu Parkway, Crotona Parkway and Bronx River Parkway in and/or adjacent to Norwood.

Date: Saturday, May 14, 2022 (deadline to purchase tickets - May 7, 2022)
Time:  10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Price: $110.00
Credits:  3 AIA HSW CEU’s
Location:  Seminary Hill Orchard and Cidery
43 Wagner Lane, Callicoon, NY 12723

Join architect, James Hartford, and architect-turned-cidermaker, Stuart Madany, for a three-part tour to celebrate the first anniversary of a unique place in the foothills of the Catskills. You will learn about the Passive House principles that guided the design of the Cidery and the holistic, sustainable practices in the orchard and in the cider-making process. Morning coffee, lunch, and a cider tasting are included.  Register here for this exciting day of learning, great food and drink!

Schedule:

10:00 Check- in, coffee, tea, and pastries available in Tasting Room
10:30 Module I - Passive House principles applied to Cidery
11:30 Module II - Design considerations for Cidery and tours of production space.
12:45 Lunch in Tent 
1:30 Module III – Sustainable growing practices in the orchard and cider tasting. 
3:00 conclusion of event 

More information about the venue:

The owners of Seminary Hill Orchard and Cidery aim for it to be a model for sustainable development in the Region.  The Cidery is a 2-story, 8,600 SF building that houses an organic hard cider production facility, a tasting area, a commercial kitchen, and an event space overlooking the Delaware River Valley. This new building is a modern take on a classic bank barn where the change in grade is used to provide on-grade access to both levels. The upstairs tasting area and event space capture the stunning views of the river valley and the organic apple orchard.

The lower level holds the cider production and cold storage. The  use of chemicals and cleaning agents are minimized. The water used to wash the fruit and the equipment is sent through the on-site grey water management system. Site lighting and signage are full-cut-off, dark-sky compliant. Photovoltaic solar panels help off-set the equipment energy use.

The project is the first of its kind to pursue Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) certification. The key building components are comprised of insulated concrete forms (ICF), SIPS panels on heavy timber framing, high-performance windows and doors along with the continuous insulation, air-barrier and weather barrier. The stone veneer base and the vertical larch slat rainscreen provide the classic exterior aesthetics.

The orchard uses holistic methods to produce heirloom varieties of apples and pears without relying on harmful pesticides and herbicides.  There are more than more than 60 varieties and 1500 trees on 12 acres. 

If  you wish to extend your visit to this beautiful place beyond the AIA event, as part of their first anniversary celebration Seminary Hill will be holding a dinner in the Orchard that evening from 6 pm to 9 pm. See https://www.seminaryhill.co/upcoming-event/anniversary-dinner-in-the-orchard for details and the menu. 

The Seminary Hill website at www.seminaryhill.co has information on accommodations at their Boarding House, which requires a two-night minimum.