ArchPLUS Winter 2014 Vol.1 No.1

VOLUME 1 | NO. 1 | WINTER 2014

DESIGN AWARDWINNERS!

RENOVATING HISTORIC FACADES

ARCHITECT BECOMES POLITICIAN

REBUILDING AFTER

AIAWHV GOES GREENTHE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN DATABASE

SUPER-STORM SANDY

SOIREE 77 ROCKS OUT!FEAR & LOATHING PART III

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ArchPLUS: A publication of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter

ArchPLUS StaffEditor-in-Chief

Art Director

Photo Editor

Advertising

Executive Director

Contributing Editors

Board of Directors 2014

American Institute of Architects Westchester + Hudson Valley ChapterP.O.Box 611Katonah, NY 10536914.232.7240E-mail: [email protected]

Winter 2014 Vol. 1, No. 1

Peter F Gaito Jr., AIA [email protected]

Ken Baviallo, Assoc. AIA

Jason Taylor, AIA

Jaclyn Tyler, AIA Valerie Brown, Hon. AIANYS, LEED AP

Valerie Brown, Hon. AIANYS, LEED AP [email protected]

John Fry, AIA LEED AP bd+c, Gregg DeAngelis, AIA LEED AP, Manuel Andrade, AIA, LEED AP

President

President-Elect

Treasurer

Secretary

State Director

Immediate Past President

Directors

Associate Directors

ArchPLUS

Advertising

Submission

John Fry, AIA, LEED AP, bd+c

Peter F. Gaito Jr, AIA

Manuel Andrade, AIA, LEED AP

Michael Berta, AIA

George Gaspar, AIA

Gregg DeAngelis, AIA, LEED AP

James Copeland, AIA May Kirk, AIASunghee Park, AIA, LEED APElizabeth Parks, AIAJoe Sencen, AIA, LEED APJason Taylor, AIARick Torres, AIA

Erika Conradt, Assoc. AIA, LEED APJaclyn Tyler, Assoc. AIA

is a benefit of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter as a quarterly publication. For information on professional or allied membership, please call 914-232-7240 or email [email protected].

The opinions expressed hererin or the representations made by advertisers, including copyrights and warranties, are not those of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter or the Editor of ArchPLUS, unless expressly stated otherwise.

2014 The American Institute of Architects Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without expressed written permission is strictly prohibited.

AIAWHV Bike Tour: Stone Barnes,Tarrytown, NYPhoto by Peter Gaito Jr.

ArchPLUS is a quarterly publication of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter. For advertising information, please call 914.232.7240 or E-mail [email protected].

AIA Statement of Purpose:

The AIA is a visionary member organization providing advocacy, leadership, and resources for architects to design a better world.

ArchPLUS is currently accepting unsolicited material. For submision guidelines and/or to become a regular contributor, please see our website for information, www.aiawhv.org. For further information please contact us at 914.232.7240 or via E-mail: [email protected].

Table of ContentsREGULARS6 A Word from the Editor

26 Fear and Loathing at Design Review Boards: Part 3

10 Presidents Perspective

14 Code Corner

8 A Presidents Thank You

18 First Architect, Now Alderman

12 Emerging Professionals

22 After Super Storm Sandy

13 Legal Corner28 Land of 10,000 Lakes and Windows

20 Structural Solutions

48 Interview

16 AIA Updates

7 Sustainable Design

30 AIAWHV Event Highlights: Soiree 77

46 AIAWHV Event Highlights: EXPO: Progressions

32 AIAWHV Design Awards for 2013

FEATURES

ArchPLUS Winter 2014 Vol. 1, No. 1

A New Era for the ChapterBy Peter Gaito Jr., AIA

The third installment in this series examines strategies for navigating the process in a linear path with positive results. By John Fry, AIA, LEED AP bd+c

Welcome to 2014By John Fry, AIA, LEED AP bd+c

Whats New in Residential ProjectsBy Erica Kreiger, AIA (Article Tie-in, see p.16, 17, 22)

Immeadiate Past President Gregg DeAngelis reflects on the success of 2013, and his advice and hopes for another great year in our chapter history. By Gregg DeAngelis, AIA, LEED AP

Former AIAWHV board member, takes a run at politics in Kingston, NYBy Brad Will, AIA, LEED AP

Updates in the IDP ProcessBy Jaclyn Tyler, AIA and Ken Baviello, Assoc. AIA

An AIAWHV board member shares his experience with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and sheds some light on what has been done, and what we can do to help as architects (Article Tie-in, see p. 14,16,17)

Important Items to Ask Your Insurance CarrierBy David Kassakoff, Esq., LEED AP Insight from the Marvin Window Factory Tour at their in Minnesota headquarters

and highlights from the guided Minneapolis Architecture Tour.By Rick Torres, AIA

Renovations to Historic FacadesBy Ciri Cuono, PE & Bruce Darling

Running the Rockefeller: A Conversation with Kim Miller, AIABy Peter Gaito Jr., AIA

News from the Local, State and National News Wire, and Good Samiritan Law (Article Tie-in, see p.14, 22)

Submit your project to the AIAWHV Sustainable DatabaseBy Bill Pfaff, AIA LEED AP & Joe Sencen, AIA LEED AP

Highlights from the 2013 Annual Chapter Soiree

Highlights from the 2013 Annual Design Expo

This years winners and their project details at the Annual Celebration of ArchitectsBy Julie Evans, AIA, LEED AP

MEP Engineering: DAntonio Consulting EngineersStructural Engineering: Ross DallandSustainability Consultant: Integral Building and DesignSurveyor: Mercurio, Norton and TaroliHome Automation: Everglades TechnologyCabinetry: Cabinets by StanleyContractor: Sisca NortheastPhotography: Steve Freihon

2013 DESIGN AWARDSSINGLE FAMILY

High Honor Award:

A HOUSE IN THE WOODSHudson Valley, NY

ARCHITECT: WILLIAM REUE ARCHITECT

Located on a densely forested slope in the Hudson Valley, A House in the Woods is the result of the studied relationship between two opposing geometries - a long sculptural wall clad in Cor-Ten weathering steel and a mass of stratified bluestone that appears to have emerged from the boulder-strewn earth. The heroic wall is pragmatically justified as it organizes the interior spaces into a series of cinmetaic portals to the landscape and carves out a modest entry court that amplifies the sound of the stream running parallel to the house. The use of locally-sourced materials and strategic siting stitch the house into the natural world while contributing to its sustainability for a modern one.

Welcome to the New Year and the 1st Issue of the new journal for the Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, ArchPLUS. This new magazine will become another viable asset that compliments (not repeats) the Chapter website and our social media content. In celebration of our new magazine, this issue is dedicated to new directions in the Chapter and in the AIA. As a profession, we face many new challenges including ever changing technology, firm specialization, the public underestimation of an architects value, smaller budgets, competitive compensation and the desire to create sustainable buildings regardless of size, scope and budget. As a chapter, and by extension, this magazine, we will strive to create a written publication by which all chapter members and allied professionals can benefit from the tremendous effort put forth by the dedicated Board of Directors and our Executive Director, to deliver relevant, dynamic content that will enhance, entertain, enlighten and inspire your lives as architects and members of the building industry. ArchPLUS will provide interesting, meaningful information to the Chapter and serves as a written and visual forum for: Discussing ideas and issues Providing a platform for leadership to speak to the members, colleagues, sponsors, the public and local government Reporting on critical and thoughtful local, State and National AIA items Disseminating industry related and business ideas and information Inspiring you info on events, tours, books, places and spaces ArchPLUS will offer chapter business and non-news items in the form of great editorials, opinions, regular and

special features quarterly. Our chapters website, www.aiawhv.org, will remain as the timely resource for current events, industry news, and general chapter and national AIA information. By the numbers, our chapter membership covers 7 counties, has almost 600 members, and over 400 allied members. ArchPLUS promises consistent quality content, to foster professional growth, personal stewardship and civic spirit. With this issue, we introduce a new format, new contributors, new sponsors, and a series of regular columns that are sure to satisfy. The world of architecture is a unique and varied one, with many different aspects all contained under the hypernym, Architecture Umbrella. With that uniqueness comes contributors with a variety of expertise and interests. Knowing this, we encourage you to also become an active contributor to submit articles, book and exhibition reviews, news affecting the profession and practice, as well as news about your firm and staff. As I take the helm, I do so with excitement for the opportunity to share ideas whereby we can keep the issues fresh and relevant, and in doing so, recognize that I have big shoes to fill. Stu Markowitz, General Notes Editor Extraordinaire and 2010 Chapter President, successfully guided the chapter publication from a simple newsletter to the previous, engaging publication. For this, we all owe him a great deal of thanks. I am also grateful for his leadership and friendship and suspect that Stu will one day become a regular ArchPLUS contributor.....Right Stu?

Talk soon -

Peter Gaito Jr, [email protected]

A Word From The Editor

Same profession; new challenges, new solutions, new chapter magazine

ArchPLUS reaches 1,000

people in 7 counties

6 ArchPLUS Winter 2014

We are enhancing ourSustainableDesignDatabaseso please come visit the web page on theAIAWestchester + Hudson ValleyChapter website, www.aiawhv.org. Go to the Home page and click on the Sustainable icon. From there you will see a screen and a button to Submit Your Project. An image from that web page is below.

We are actively seeking input from our members to further build our own Chapters Sustainable Projects and need your help. If you are working on a LEED project,or any project employing sustainable design strategies or systems,please upload to the website noted above and it will be featured. We will also be featuring monthly articles and/or webinars that support sustainable design. Our first webinar is based on the new version of LEED so please click on the link described above and get up to speed with the future of LEED projects, systems, methods and materials.Questions? Need assistance? Contact our Executive Director, Valerie Brown: [email protected]

by bill pfaff, aia, lEED ap anD joE SEncEn, aia, lEED ap

Sustainable Design

Got Green ? Submit your projects to the aiaWHV Sustainable Design Database

Winter 2014 ArchPLUS 7

It was both a privilege and a pleasure to serve as your 2013 chapter president. As predicted by several of my predecessors, 2013 passed very quickly. However, that observation alone would too simply gloss over the wonderfully rich and rewarding experiences that the year brought. In addition to representing our chapter at AIA National and AIA New York State conferences and overseeing our own AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley programs and events, I was able to contribute to some special and on-going initiatives, including:

Strategically discussing aia nationals Repositioning initiative to determine which aspects are most relevant and should be pursued for aia Westchester + Hudson Valley.Continuing to expand working relationships with our network of allied professionals, not-for-profit and business organizations, as well as elected officials in our chapters region.Continuing to encourage and support our chapters emerging professionals. it has been inspiring to witness how eagerly theyve embraced the opportunity to develop new programs, engage new members, find new sponsors, and influence visioning discussions for aia Westchester + Hudson Valley.Continuing to host meetings of past aiaWHV chapter presidents to provide the opportunity for them to discuss how they may contribute their unique perspective and abilities to support our chapters future growth and development.

Working with our Board to continue to guide our chapters rebound from the same financial strains that have challenged most all of us over the past several years. Although most of the items are not new, I am proud of the breadth and extent of activities and advocacy our AIA chapter provides. Our chapter exists for our members, so please do not hesitate to provide your feedback and critical input as to which programs and initiatives you find most relevant, or if there are any new ideas that you believe should pursued. On the following page, you will find a brief Year End Review. 2014 should be equally as enriching and fun. Most of all, I am thankful for the privilege to serve with such a passionate and committed Board of Directors, Executive Director and many volunteers over the past several years. I remain optimistic and excited about the future of our profession and the relevance of our Westchester + Hudson Valley AIA chapter, both to our members and to the community.

Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014,

Gregg C. DeAngelis, AIA, LEED AP

Gregg will to continue his outstanding service to the Chapter as Immediate Past President.

by GREGG DEanGEliS, aia, lEED ap

Presidents Thank You

final thoughts from the outgoing president


Signature EventsGolf Outing Scholarship & Education Fundraiser (June) Architectural Education Committee reviewed applications and awarded $5,000 in architectural student scholarships.Design and Technology EXPO (October) the EXPO Task Force expanded the amount of exhibitors and CES courses offeredDesign Awards (November) Design Excellence CommitteeSoiree 77 Celebration and Honors (December) Emerging Professionals Committee

ProgramsChapter MeetingsBuilding Code Updates (January)Homes for Westchester - Panel Discussion + Allied Professionals (March)Ezra Stoller Book Lecture (April)Annual Business Meeting + Norman McGrath Presentation (September)

Seminars and SymposiumsSummer School 6 sessions (July and August)CAD Symposium (March)Earth Day Symposium USGBC credits (April)Sprinkler Seminar (May)Breakfast meetings Putnam/Dutchess Outreach (March + June)Lunch Seminars (monthly) Woman in Architecture Committee

AIA Repositioning InitiativeAIA WHV Member Survey (March)Town Hall Meeting (April) Innovation Fund Application (July) Strategic Planning Retreat and Report (July/August)

Emerging Professionals CommitteeMardi Gras Celebration (March)20x20 Social Event (October)ARE Study Materials

ToursWestchester Airport Hangar (June) Emerging Professionals Usonia (October) Historic Resources Committee

Allied Professionals OutreachHomes for Westchester panel discussion, leadership meetingsWestchester Municipal Planning Federation coordination with

president and president-electBuilding and Realty Institute meetings with executive director and senior leadership

Advocacy and Community DevelopmentHomes for Westchester Leadership Council Meetings (ongoing)Building and Realty Institute meetings with Westchester County Executive

Annual Sponsorship Drive (January) Sponsorship Committee

Past Presidents Council Preliminary Formative Discussions (February and November)

Sustainable Design Database (ongoing development) Sustainable Design Database Task Force

Chapter Newsletter converted to all digital format (6 issues/yr) Chapter Media CommitteeWebsite News, Issues, Calendar, On-line Registration (ongoing) Chapter Media Committee

Chapter Business and Administrative InitiativesBoard of Director Meetings (monthly)Executive Committee Meetings (monthly)Committees and Task Forces Updated descriptions and active membersInterviewed and engaged new accountant for chapterInvestigated Medical Insurance Alternatives for Members

National and State: AIA National + AIA NYSConventions / Conferences / Leadership TrainingAIA National Grassroots, Washington, DC (March) AIA National Convention, Denver (June)CACE Conference, Atlanta (August) AIA NYS Convention, Syracuse (September)

Government Advocacy and LobbyingAIA National Lobby Day, Washington, DC (March) Meetings with US Assemblywoman Nita Lowey, and US Assemblyman Elliot Engel, among others.AIA NYS Lobby Day, Albany, NY (April) Meetings with: NYS Senator George Latimer, NYS Senator David Carlucci, NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, NYS Assemblyman Steven Otis, NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright

aiaWHV 2013: year in Review


Into 2014 we go and it is my distinct honor to become your AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter President. My initial involvement as a chapter director began in 1996. I remained active in chapter business serving on the Design Awards Committee from 1998 until 2005. During that period I had the pleasure of working with former chapter president Vinny Mellusi AIA, as well as and former General Notes editor Elisa Volpati AIA, and co-chairing a re-branding of the design awards program, which, with the assistance of Michiko Kishi, developed a new graphic format which remains the basis of the graphics today. I was graciously invited to return as a director in 2008 and subsequently embraced the desire to participate in chapter leadership as an officer. Ive had the distinct pleasure of working closely with an outstanding leadership chain beginning with Stu Markowitz AIA, LEED AP, Bill Pfaff AIA, LEED AP, George Gaspar AIA and most recently Gregg DeAngelis AIA, LEED AP. This exposure alone is worth the price of admission to the officer corps. I am excited about working with the 2014 slate of officers including Peter Gaito Jr AIA Vice President/President Elect; Manny Andrade AIA, LEED AP Treasurer and Michael Berta AIA Secretary. I look forward to a productive 2014 with this leadership team. We have a diverse and robust board of directors and I invite you to get to know them at www.aiawhv.org. Our website is a great resource for our chapter members and an ever expanding portal for your professional development. I can sincerely share that my enthusiasm for the AIA is the product of many years of observations regarding our profession, its place in society, and how collective professional efforts are a mandatory component to the advancement of any profession or cause. The elements of our profession have been characterized in many forms in which you are all familiar. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the elements I find particularly compelling and why I will strive to promote their further development in 2014.

AIA is a strong professional association with over 81,000 members nationally and internationally. AIA Westchester + Hudson Valleys membership is over 600 strong even in the wake of a long and distressed economic downturn. Indicators suggest our profession, and the industry in general, is emerging from this period towards the next significant growth period. AIA is committed to becoming a leaner, faster and stronger organization to better serve its membership as we enter this new era. AIAs Repositioning Initiative is entering its second year of implementation. Your chapter leadership is committed to realizing this initiative at the local level along with providing meaningful resources to our membership. AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley is committed to better serving its membership by improving our leadership skills and advancing the AIA brand in our chapter area. The core idea that we are a stronger profession through collective action is undeniable. It is an axiom that holds true in any endeavor. AIA is the voice of our profession and we strive to be a meaningful voice on your behalf. Over the past three years we have set new compass points within the chapter for entering this new era. These areas of focus are identified with the introduction of chapter Icons, which represent a significant leap forward in advancing chapter graphics. Chapter efforts coinciding with each Icon are as follows:

ADVoCACy Your chapter lobbies on your behalf at national, state and local levels. From Capitol Hill to local municipal officials you are represented by AIA and AIAWHV. Our officers, directors and Executive Director provide leadership and advocacy addressing a wide range of issues. These include local building permit application issues to disaster relief issues.

AIA/AIAWHV is making its case for the profession daily and your membership secures these efforts on your behalf. Our advocacy

by joHn fRy, aia, lEED ap bD+c

Presidents Perspective

Hello Members...

Over the past three years we have set new compass points


initiative goes beyond the political arena. We are involved in public awareness as it relates to our profession. From affordable housing to historic preservation, our advocacy efforts are broad and relevant. AIAs contract document program itself is a testament to a long tradition of advocacy as it remains a flagship component of AIA and represents a far reaching element beyond the architectural profession. Opportunities exist for all members to engage in these efforts. We encourage you to contact your leadership to exchange ideas and opportunities.

ALLIED PRofESSIoNAL NEtWoRk Your chapter recognizes that the strength of a collective voice can be amplified by uniting with our allied professionals. Architects share many of the same points of emphasis and professional agendas as Engineers, Landscape Architects, Planners, Land Use Attorneys, Developers and Real Estate professionals. AIAWHV is networking with

other professional associations developing programming and identifying key issues to approach with a collective voice. We are committed to expanding these efforts in 2014.

CELEBRAtE We need to celebrate our accomplishments as a profession; Perhaps celebrate our profession as a whole. AIAWHV hosts several events throughout the year including our design awards program entitled, Celebration of Architecture, and the Soire series which marks our year end signature celebration of both chapter accomplishments and

anniversary of its founding. We are committed to encourage and host big fun, like this past Decembers Soire 77.

EmERGING PRofESSIoNALS A significant focus of Repositioning is to advance the position of our younger demographic as well as assuring our profession is represented as a diverse snapshot of who we are, who we want to be and who we should be. AIAWHV is committed to our emerging professionals via relevant programming and as a

supportive resource for professional advancement. These efforts include student scholarship assistance, mentoring programs, chapter programming (20x20 and building tours), two associate director seats on our chapter board of directors and the recent creation of chapter licensing scholarship fund.

INSPIRE AIAWHV recognizes that beyond the elements of the profession, ultimately we all need to be inspired. As you all are aware inspiration can come through many circumstances and AIAWHV is committed to highlight and provide these circumstances and experiences. Our chapter programming is the primary

conduit for which we can provide inspiration. Whether it is through engaging speakers, tours or other meaningful programming, we are committed to providing a full spectrum of professional experiences. Stay tuned for our 2014 programming calendar for opportunities of inspiration!

NEtWoRk Providing a platform for our membership to meet the greater business community, potential clients and policy makers is a focus for our chapter. Many of our events are open to the greater business community including developers and municipal officials who are the decision makers for their respective public work projects. AIAWHV is committed to

advancing this interface on behalf of our membership. Each of you has an opportunity to expand both your brand as well as the AIA brand by advancing your own networking efforts. AIAWHV is that excellent resource for you.

PRoSPER AIAWHV has identified several key areas of program development and business relationships to pursue which enhance your efforts to prosper. From professional business strategies to legal issues your chapter has made strides in growing our knowledge towards this pursuit. Your chapter leadership as stewards of AIAWHV non for profit professional

organization is also committed to maintaining its financial strength and viability. We as a chapter association must prosper to enable its service to you as a chapter member. Our chapter, in relative terms, is a significant business venture which cannot operate on dues alone. As many of us are finding our way out of the financial realities beginning in late 2008, so too is your chapter. Our future looks bright but we continue to conduct chapter business with this stewardship in mind.

SuStAINABLE A core concept in our professional culture has been specifically identified by your chapter leadership as a focus for providing a meaningful local resource promoting sustainable means and methods. A Sustainable Database has been created as a resource available to chapter members. It is uniquely based on projects within our chapter area. Beyond the

database, chapter programs are provided focusing on sustainable means and methods. We encourage chapter members to participate in expanding the online database in 2014 and beyond. The synergistic opportunities are limitless. Finally, the introduction of our new publication, ArchPLuS, marks a significant chapter accomplishment in and of itself. Your chapter leadership has thoughtfully examined the potential of this quarterly publication and is convinced introducing this concept and format is the right move for the chapter as we enter a new era. Read on, and look for the next great issue to arrive in April.


The AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Associate Directors, Ken Baviello, Erika Conradt and Jaclyn Tyler, have developed a Scholarship Program to encourage Chapter Associate participation in the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The scholarship is intended to recognize Associate AIAWHV Chapter members who have made significant contributions at an early stage in their careers to the profession and to encourage their pursuit of licensure. Scholarships will be awarded based on a demonstration of financial need and additional criteria to be distributed later this year. A jury composed of distinguished professionals from the AIAWHV Board of Directors, the AIA College of Fellows and NYS Emerging Professional Leaders will select the recipients from submitted criteria. Scholarship recipients will be reimbursed for the cost of passing the divisions of the Architect Registration Examinations with details to be released later this year. The award criteria and disbursement will both be modeled after the Jason Pettigrew Scholarship and the AIANYS ARE Scholarship Program. The recipient of the AIAWHV ARE Scholarship will be recognized at the chapters December Soire celebration. The Emerging Professionals Committee thanks the following companies for donation to the initial scholarship fund: Carol Kurth Architecture PC + Interiors LTS C.W. Brown, Inc. John Sullivan Architecture, PC Kenneth Irving, Architect PC

For more info on becoming an Associate AIA Member, go to www.aiawhv.org

On Monday October 28th the AIAWHV Chapter held its fall, 20 Slides in 20 Seconds, event at Elements Bar in White Plains. This 20x20 event was themed around Halloween and included an informal costume contest and some entertaining Halloween presentations. As always, great food and drinks were provided by Elements. Twenty four chapter members attended including seven presenters. Presentations included topics ranging from costumes, motorcycles, hats, travel, to Halloween and making a Daft Punk costume. The Are You Smarter than an Intern question series again provided added excitement and some good laughs. Winners of each round received an additional free drink ticket. The Associates continue to hold their own in the fierce competition... This seemed to be our most social of the event series to date with many chapter members arriving early and staying late. We hope this is a growing trend and more members participate! A big thank you to Carol Kurth Architecture for sponsoring and Peter Krupenye for photographing.

Stay tuned for the next 20x20 date!

by jaclyn tylER, aiaby kEn baViEllo, aSSoc aia

Emerging Professionals

new aRE Scholarship

20 x 20: Halloween

The resource for Associate AIA chapter members


Just when you think you have successfully secured an exciting new project, the excitement can wane as contract negotiations begin. Sophisticated owners will typically retain the services of an experienced construction lawyer to negotiate agreements that endeavor to transfer most, if not all risk, from the owner to the architect. Those design professionals who are desperate for the work or excited about the prospects of the project often negotiate terms that are unfavorable to them. It is not uncommon for parties to expend considerable energy haggling over the terms of an agreement, only to shove the contract in their files after the terms are finally negotiated. The contract is only pulled out when a conflict arises or litigation ensues, and it is only then that the architect or his or her lawyer discover the grim reality of a failed negotiation process. Owners and developers consistently look for ways to minimize their risk on projects. Particularly, municipal owners or large developers will seek to require that the architect not only indemnify them for any and all wrong doing on the project, but also provide insurance coverage naming them as an additional insured. There is a vast difference between the obligation to indemnify and the obligation to insure. Indemnification requires the architect to hold harmless the Owner and provide a defense should errors arise from, or relate to, the conduct of the architect and his or her sub-consultants. While such clauses are often broad and unfair, the relative logic of providing protection for an architects mistake is easy to understand. The larger and more significant obligation may result from the duty to name the owner as an additional insured. Under these circumstances, while owners may procure their own coverage, they often seek to be included on the architects policy of

insurance as the first line of defense and compensation for claims by others. The insurance obligation may, in many instances, be required regardless of fault. In this way, the architects carrier may be obligated to provide a defense and indemnity for claims that have nothing to do with the conduct of the architect. The architect is well advised to tread carefully when presented with such options. In the first instance, the architect must make sure that insurance is available and will provide the appropriate coverage as required by the contract. All too often, coverage is not available, exposing the architect to breach of contract damages resulting from the failure to procure coverage. In addition, it is possible that by naming an owner as an additional insured, the architect is subjected to increased insurance premiums. This expense, together with the associated risk, must be factored into the overall value of the project to determine whether or not the architects fee is profitable. Being placed in a position to insure another party, may place a whole different light on the manner in which a claim will be defended. The architect may be without fault, but still obligated to pay due to an agreement to provide insurance. What may seem like insignificant contractual terms may ultimately be the lynch pin between a profitable project and an economic nightmare. The risk benefit analysis of undertaking a project must include careful consideration of contractual responsibilities. By keeping your eyes open, one will certainly be better informed and can make a reasonable decision about which provisions are acceptable and which will force you to walk away.

David B. Kosakoff, Esq., LEED, AP is the General Counsel to the Chapter and a Partner with the law firm of Sinnreich Kosakoff & Messina, LLP and devotes his practice primarily to the representation of architects. He can be reached at [email protected]

by DaViD b. koSakoff, ESq.

Legal Corner

Insurance Indemnification obligations

The architect must make sure that insurance is available and will provide the appropriate coverage as required by the contract.


One of the most difficult questions facing design professionals and Code Enforcement Officials in the reconstruction after a severe flood event, is when the elevation of a dwelling to meet the requirements for flood-resistant construction creates a three-story dwelling. Section R313.5 of the 2010 Residential Code of New York State (RCNYS), requires that a dwelling having a height of three stories above grade be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13D. The RCNYS Technical Bulletin, provides guidance for determining the number of stories above grade in one or two-family dwellings that must be elevated in order to comply with the flood-resistant construction requirements of the RCNYS. The bulletin presents six determinations of stories above grade in elevated two-story dwellings based on the definitions, language, and conclusions from the RCNYS. Information is offered supporting determinations of stories above grade for dwellings with traditional basements, perimeter foundation walls, and open foundation systems consisting of piers, pilings or columns. In summary, the Technical Bulletins conclusions are:

1. two-story dwelling with a basement, where the finished surface of the floor above is not more than 6 feet above grade plane, or not more than 6 feet above the finished ground

level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter, ornot more than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.CONCLUSION: Two story dwelling; no sprinkler system is required.

2. two story dwelling with a basement, where the finished surface of the floor above is: More than 6 feet above grade plane, or More than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter, or More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.CONCLUSION: Three story dwelling; a sprinkler system is required.

3. two story dwelling with No BASEmENt, and either perimeter foundation walls, or an open foundation system of piers, pilings or columns, where the finished surface of the floor above is: Not more than 6 feet above grade plane Not more than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter, and Not more than 12 feet above finished ground level at any pointCONCLUSION: Two story dwelling; no sprinkler system is required.

by ERika kREiGER, aia

Code Czar

Determination of Stories above Grade in Elevated one and two-family Dwellings in flood Hazard areas

Sprinkler system or no sprinkler system, that is the question


4. two story dwelling with No BASEmENt, and either perimeter foundation walls, or an open foundation system of piers, pilings or columns, where the finished surface of the floor above is: More than 6 feet above grade plane, More than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter, and More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any pointCONCLUSION: Three story dwelling; a sprinkler system is required.

5. two story dwelling with No BASEmENt, and an open foundation system of piers, pilings or columns; where the open foundation system has been enclosed by non-supporting breakaway walls, open-wood lattice work, insect screening, or other material intended to collapse under wind or flood loads; and where the finished surface of the floor above is: More than 6 feet above grade plane, More than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter, and More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any pointCONCLUSION: Three story dwelling; a sprinkler system is required.

6. two story dwelling with No BASEmENt, and an open foundation system of piers, pilings or columns, where the finished surface of the floor above is: More than 6 feet above grade plane, More than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter, and More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any pointCONCLUSION: Two story dwelling; no sprinkler system required, but limitations on the use of the area of the open foundation system may be necessary.

If the elevation of a dwelling to meet the requirements for flood-resistant construction is determined by the authority having jurisdiction to create a dwelling having a height of three stories above grade, Section R313.5 requires the installation of a NFPA 13D automatic sprinkler system. The Division of Building Standards and Codes (DBSC) offers property owners the opportunity to address individual problems with code compliance through its variance process. Questions on variances and the process should be directed to your DBSC Regional Office.

NOTE: A basement under the 2010 RCNYS and a basement as defined by FEMA are not necessarily the same thing. FEMA defines a basement as Any area of the building, including any sunken room or sunken portion of a room, having its floor below ground level (subgrade) on all sides.

In some flood hazard areas, enclosed areas, including basements, are prohibited below the elevated lowest floors. In other flood hazard areas, enclosed areas, including basements as defined by the 2010 RCNYS, below elevated lowest floors are permitted, but not to be used for living spaces and are limited in use to the parking of vehicles, building access (walkways, stairways or ramps), or storage. The homeowner and the CEO should be sure that including a basement (as defined in the 2010 RCNYS), in a one- or two-family dwelling located in a flood hazard area, does not violate any requirements applicable to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMAs requirements publication states that basements are not permitted, and all existing below grade areas must be backfilled to or above, the adjacent ground surface, for dwellings located in Zone A and Zone V.

Erika is the Regional Architect for the State of NY based out of Peekskill.


Governor Cuomo took center stage on January 8th to deliver his fourth State of the State address, outlining his policy goals for the upcoming 2014 Legislative Session. Gearing up for his 2014 election bid, the governor is pinning his hopes on tangible job growth, a renewed sense of hope for the business climate, massive infrastructure investment, and preparing New York both intellectually and structurally for the 21st Century. The re-imagining and rejuvenation of New York State presents several opportunities for the architectural profession. The States push to overhaul the way we think about the built environment and its interaction with nature presents an opportunity to amplify the professions value and assist in crafting sensible design solutions. Immense infrastructure investment, to the tune of $17 billion, is expected to create thousands of jobs in the construction industry and hopefully strengthen architectural billings. The governor is investing $100 million to build and preserve 3,000 affordable housing units and $5 billion in the reconstruction of the States transit system, including the repair and replacement of 104 bridges. These projects will most likely continue to experiment with alternative project delivery such as Design-Build and Public-Private-Partnerships. It will be vital for the profession to be engaged in the process as the Legislature crafts laws to make these delivery models increasingly accessible for public projects. Architects must have a say in how these delivery methods protect the public welfare, tax dollars, and overall design quality. He unveiled a new competition called NYPrize, aimed at developing decentralized clean energy micro grids that can allow communities and buildings to operate as energy islands in emergencies. This $40 million competition will be awarded to communities across the state and will serve as a test case for transitioning to a cleaner and more resilient energy system. Competition will also find its way into scholarships aimed at the brightest students in the state. The top 10% of high school students will be granted a full scholarship if they pursue a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

field, with the agreement that they remain in the state for five years after graduation. STEM education currently recognizes several specialties within the architectural profession. The AIA is pushing for loan forgiveness at the federal level, and to support similar measures at the state level to help ease the burden of student loan debt, while drawing interest in the profession. Governor Cuomo also announced the second phase of the NY Rising Community Reconstruction program, a community-based reconstruction program created to engage areas impacted by recent natural disasters and support innovative recover plans. Twenty-two additional communities from across the state will be receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) aid. AIANYS leadership continues to engage state agencies regarding the flaws in the NY Rising Community Reconstruction and Housing programs. AIANYS is pushing the state to rework their insurance requirements and payment schedules to make it easier for smaller firms to compete. For more information please visit http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/interim-home While the Governor accomplished many of his recovery objectives he outlined last year, his goal to establish a Citizen First Responder Corps went unrealized. In a renewed commitment, the governor used this years address to announce that the Corps will be launched in mid-January with a first round of training for interested individuals. This spirit of volunteerism and commitment to ones community is precisely the message AIANYS has been trying to send with the passage of the Good Samaritan Act. AIANYS worked tirelessly since the bills inception and has built a support network prime for action during the 2014 Legislative Session. Twenty-five other states around the country recognize the value of the professions skill set during times of crisis and provides them with reasonable immunity. With your help, support and advocacy, 2014 will be the year New York State extends this Good Samaritan recognition to a dedicated community of civic-minded professionals. Mike Burridge is the AIANYS Government Advocacy Coordinator

by MikE buRRiDGE

AIA Updates

2014 State of the State address: jobs, infrastructure, Recovery


Good Samaritan Act

While we find ourselves one year removed from the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, and two years removed from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, communities are still fighting to rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives. These events exposed the lack of capacity to respond to a crisis, and highlighted the need to design our built environment for resiliency in the face of a changing climate. The Good Samaritan Act will provide crucial liability protections for architects and other design professionals who choose to volunteer their skills and services in times of great need. Legal immunity will help remove barriers to large scale volunteer assistance and help build the response capacity the state seeks. The Government Advocacy Committee and AIANYS leadership have worked tirelessly to bring New York State in-line with the twenty-five other states that provide immunity for architects for volunteering their services. AIANYS is determined to continue to work with our allies in the Legislature and the design community, to pass the Good Samaritan Act and have it signed into law in 2014. 2014 is an election year and legislators want to hear from their constituents! Find your Assembly or Senate representative and contact them to let them know you support A.4380-B/S.3942-A, the Good Samaritan Act.

AIANYS Strengthens State Agency Collaboration Billions of capital construction dollars are allocated each year for public projects across the state and overseen by various state agencies and public authorities. These agencies and authorities enforce wide-ranging and disparate policies governing procurement, fee structures, project delivery, insurance requirements and other pertinent design and construction issues. Over this past year, AIANYS has redoubled its efforts toward collaboration with public sector construction entities such as the Office of General Services, the Dormitory Authority, and the State University Construction Fund, in order to ensure that the role of the architect is being protected during public projects. AIANYS continues to work closely with the State Board of Architecture on issues affecting the regulation, education, licensing, and discipline of the profession. Executive Director Georgi Ann Bailey has fostered a strong relationship with the Board and is present at each meeting to listen and offer feedback regarding trends and needs of the architectural profession.

New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program This past July, forty-three communities were designated as NY Rising Communities for the purpose of distributing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to municipalities affected by Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. The NY Rising Communities included towns, cities and villages in five AIANYS chapters: Long Island, Peconic, New York, Eastern NY, Westchester + Hudson Valley, Southern NY, and Buffalo/WNY. Timothy Boyland, AIA, V.P. of Government Advocacy, was appointed to serve on the Staten Island NY Rising Planning Community and is working to help communities across Staten Island build back better and smarter in order to mitigate future disasters. Its not too late to become involved in rebuilding these communities. Visit the Governors NY Rising website and check for meeting dates and locations so you can share ideas and make your voice heard. One issue for members to address with their elected officials is the prohibitive insurance requirements that are making it difficult for independent firms to bid on reconstruction projects. AIANYS leadership and Executive Director Georgi Ann Bailey are currently working with DASNY and other state agencies to see what can be done to level the playing field so all firms can participate.

AIA Updates

AIANYS: Current efforts and recent accomplishments


In the Summer of 1949, in the Village of New Paltz, Ny, Board of Trustees and Acting Mayor Henry DuBois were entertaining bids for the New Fire House and Village Hall. One of the three trustees was my grandfather, Roland G. Will, who served four 2-year terms on the Board, from 1945 to 1953. Approving and administering the award and construction of these two important municipal projects were the highlights of Dr. Wills tenure on the Village Board of Trustees, as were the significant improvements and repairs to the water and sewer district. Architects, planners, teachers, and workers from a rainbow of industries and trades solve problems every day, on the job. My grandfather was a Fulbright professor of education and philosophy at SUNY New Paltz for over three decades, with a skill set uniquely qualified for application to public problem solving. Architects, too, work with clients to arrive at holistic, functional, efficient and creative solutions. We have what it takes to be public officials, and we should look at how we can serve our respective municipalities. As a teacher, my grandfather exemplified the role each of us, as citizens, can play in our communities as civil servants. In the middle of his teaching career, he chose to run for local office and contribute his expertise as an educator to the not-so-fine art of politics and policy-making. When he and his fellow Trustees

werent overseeing large scale municipal projects, they were lending assistance to a neighbor objecting to unwanted chickens gathering outside the kitchen window, or surface water running into cellars - it all comes with the territory of serving the public as a local politician. In the spirit of my grandfather Roland, and with the helpful encouragement of my fellow architects with whom I served four years on the AIAWHV Board of Directors, I declared my candidacy for 3rd Ward Alderman in our fine Hudson Valley City of Kingston, NY. That was early 2013, not knowing that the process on which I was embarking would be full of twists and turns. It was already known that our current Alderman, a young, first-term Republican, had opted not to seek reelection, thus creating an open seat on the Common Council. Along with two other Democrats, I threw my hat in the ring. Two of us interviewed in February with the Kingston Democratic Committee (the third candidate missed the interview date), and I was informed the very next day that my candidacy was unanimously approved. TWIST #1 occurred when it was learned that the rejected candidate went to the Republican Committee, and was handed their nomination. Evidently, with no Republicans stepping up in the 3rd Ward, a registered Democrat would suffice. TWIST#2 surfaced at the City Democratic Convention

by bRaD Will, aia

Feature

first architect, now alderman: a tale of budding civil service

Architects, too, work with clients to arrive at holistic, functional, efficient and creative solutions. We have what it takes to be public officials, and should look at how we can serve our respective municipalities.


in late May, when the same three Democratic candidates were each nominated from the floor. With no candidate receiving a second, a primary race commenced. Signature-gathering of Ward residents began in earnest throughout the month of June, and again, all three obtained the requisite number to get onto the September primary ballot. It was during this post-convention period that I first became aware of cross filing, a political tactic that exists in only a handful of states, and banned in other states. Originally intended to level the playing field (somewhat) for minor parties and down ticket elections, it was famously abused in 1944 by NY Congressman Vito Marcantonio, who successfully secured and won both the Republican and Democratic primaries. California found the practice odious enough to abolish in 1959, but it persists in NY, NH, and PA. My opponent, who had already secured the Republican nomination, was attempting this maneuver. He was denied garnering both major party nominations when I prevailed at the Democratic Primary election thus, the General Election table was set. After a seemingly endless five-month long nomination, campaign, primary election, and general election, I won a two-year term as our 3rd Ward Alderman. As one of nine Aldermen, I will work with State and County representatives, the Mayors office, City department heads, and 3rd Ward residents to help shape Kingstons future. I have much to do and repairs to make (i.e. our infamous sinkhole), exciting developments are already in process: the County and City have won substantial grants to improve streets and develop a network of rail trails, new businesses continue to invest in Kingston and programs for kids

and seniors are evolving. The arts and eateries are flourishing in our corner of the Hudson Valley and will be key elements of our economic recovery. As architects, we are trained to be problem solvers, prepared and well poised to tackle a myriad of municipal challenges. If we want to influence policy, introduce our ideas to a wide audience, and provide guidance for capital projects that too often are mismanaged or ill-conceived, then as architects we should seek a seat at the table. We have all spent countless hours on the other side of that table, before planning boards, zoning boards of appeal, town boards, and agency commissions. I believe we are shortchanging our profession and our communities by not forming the process, rather than simply reacting to it. My successful run for elected office is meant to address this perceived gap, and to encourage fellow architects in our chapter and beyond to seek positions of public/civil service, offer your ideas, and execute smart policies that will improve our great, historic Hudson Valley and Westchester towns, cities, and counties. Elected office is but one station at which we can serve, local boards and commissions are always looking for, and would truly benefit from, the participation and knowledge of architects and planners. On January 7, I was sworn in as 3rd Ward Alderman for the City of Kingston somewhere, I know grandfather Will is smiling approvingly.

Brad is former AIAWHV Board Member, an architect and currently D-Ward 3 in Kingston.

Upstate New YorkDam Safety InspectionsPresented by William M. Rodwick, PE, BSCE, MPA Fishkill, NY April 3

Quality Control / Quality Assurance and Professional EthicsPresented by William M. Rodwick, PE, BSCE, MPA Syracuse, NY April 11

Challenges of Structural RenovationPresented by Alexander Newman, PE Albany, NY April 30

Improved Water Quality Through Green Infrastructure, Low Impact Development, and Better Site Design (Also recommended for Landscape Architects)Presented by Donald W. Lake, PE Buffalo, NY May 13

Analyzing Delays and Inefficiencies Using Real Examples & Case StudiesPresented by Scott Lowe, PE Syracuse, NY May 16Call idp today

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New York CityHVAC Equipment and Installation Presented by William M. Rodwick, PE, BSCE, MPA New York City, NY March 25

Technical Restoration, Renovation, and Historic PreservationPresented by Edward D. Re, Jr., AIA New York City, NY April 10

Analyzing Delays and Inefficiencies Using Real Examples & Case StudiesPresented by Scott Lowe, PE New York City May 6

NYC Department of Buildings, Building Code and Zoning Review, and BSA and City Planning Practice Presented by Charles Rizzo and Bryan Winter, RA New York City May 29

New JerseySmoke Control Systems and Applicable Building/Construction Code RequirementsPresented by Robert J. Davidson East Hanover, NJ February 25 Hamilton, NJ February 26

Construction Project Legal Issues, Building Code Enforcement, & Design Professional Ethics Presented by Stephen Bialkowski, Esq. and Robert Hughes, JD Hamilton, NJ March 18 East Hanover, NJ March 26

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modern curtain wall and cavity wall facades present many challenges to the designer. Equally as important are the challenges associated with historic facades (pre cavity wall and curtain wall technology), which exist in vast building stock across major cities and outlying suburbs across the country. The traditional building method for centuries was unreinforced masonry, usually brick, stone or rubble, and timber framing. The facades of these buildings resist the elements by mass effect. Known as barrier systems, the massiveness of the masonry (e.g. a 3 wythe or 12 brick wall) allows water to penetrate through cracks and joints in the outer layers and keeps the inside dry by having a width thicker than the wind driven rain can penetrate. After the rain has stopped, the moisture which has been absorbed will be released to the exterior and dry the masonry. During the Winter, uninsulated masonry is warmed by heating of the interior, which also assists in driving out the moisture. This simple concept has generally worked well. Several historic events including the great fires of Chicago and New York, introduced new elements to building and facade construction and various architectural styles or copies of styles. The development of wrought iron, cast iron, and eventually structural steel in the mid 1800s, led to the technology race to develop fireproof construction. The period between about the 1880s to the 1940s has diverse and very interesting structural framing types and facade types made possible by these events and developments. Typical floor systems of the period include Terra Cotta flat and segmental arches, Metropolitan floors, and Cinder slabs. These fireproofed floors coupled with cast iron columns, steel or wrought iron

beams and eventually all steel skeletal framing allowed the exciting skyscraper race to develop. With this new skeletal framing came a necessary change in facades. A load bearing brick barrier facade could no longer be reasonably built to a height of 20 stories. Here is an example of a classic building and facade system we see quite often in the NY metropolitan area. A 1920s apartment building with an all steel skeletal frame and cinder concrete slabs reinforced with a draped wire mesh (same technology as the Empire State Building). The facade is typically brick exterior with an 8 terra cotta tile backup. The terra cotta is supported by the concrete slab edge and the brick stacks the

by ciRo cuono, pE anD bRucE DaRlinG

Structural Solutions

Renovating Historic facades

Copper or stainless steel are also viable materials for the in wall flashings. The key is to use common sense and logic and follow the manufacturers recommendations completely


height of the building with a common running bond with headers or row lock courses every 6th course. The challenge for today, is that typically the edge of the steel I beams are just behind the exterior brick (4) and built without flashing or waterproofing. Fast forward almost 100 years and the wind driven rain breaking through washed out sacrificial mortar, freeze thaw cycles etc, leads to the corrosion of the structural steel. Corrosion or rusting is a chemical reaction of iron in the steel, water, and oxygen. The rusting of the steel will cause the exterior masonry to bulge out. This can often be seen when looking up the facade of the building. The forces developed from corrosion are so strong that they can jack up a building. These jacking forces crack the brick which is in compression. The cracks allow more water to enter and a vicious cycle develops which can rapidly deteriorate a building. Due to weather patterns in this part of the country, the south and west facades at the upper floors tend to exhibit the worst deterioration, primarily from wind driven rain. The fix is conceptually simple, but often hard to police in the field. The outer brick is removed and shored above to expose the deteriorated framing. This framing is then scraped, power brushed, and reinforced with new welded plates, channel sections, etc. to restore the lost capacity. Generally the structural engineer is tasked with sizing this reinforcement based on field measurements and guesstimates on the amount of loss. Once the structural capacity is restored, the steel is then coated with a rust preservative coating or galvanized steel is used and the steel I beams are packed out with masonry, tied back to the steel and flashed. There are many flashing materials available on the market today including; copper with fabric backing, self-adhering rubberized asphalts, and some liquid applied membranes. Copper or stainless steel are also viable materials for the in wall flashings. The key is to use common sense and logic and follow the manufacturers recommendations completely. Above windows, there is typically a hung lintel. The flashing on this lintel should extend several brick courses above the steel and end with a stainless steel termination bar or terminated with a cut reglet. The ends of the lintel need end dams turned up to create a bathtub. Metal flashing is usually installed over the lintel with a drip edge and which extends approx. 1/2 past the facade. The flashing materials listed above tie into this metal and extend further up the wall. If copper is used, then a divorcing layer of membrane or paint is required so you do not have galvanic action between the dissimilar materials. It is also tempting to designers not to show the flashing due to the change in aesthetics it causes. This can allow water to travel around and back under the flashing thus negating the work done to protect the structure from water. The main idea is to introduce waterproofing to extend the life of the structure. Typically, this is only done at the areas where deterioration has been exhibited due to cost and other practicalities. A more challenging version on low rise period buildings is a hybrid version where there are no vertical steel columns. It is interesting on these buildings to see how the technology has slowly changed. A scenario we have encountered was a 3 Wythe brick load bearing structure with interior steel columns and girders with wood infill framing. The wood bearing on the exterior wall

and at large window openings was supported by a steel girder buried in the inner Wythe. This true load bearing condition created shoring and installation challenges for the new steel reinforcing and flashing. In addition to bricks, other facade elements were quite common including decorative corner quoins, glazed architectural terra cotta motifs, limestone panels and balconies and cast stone. Glazed architectural terra cotta is often quite beautiful but difficult to deal with in the field. The technology was basically developed as a cheap way of copying and mass producing carved stone work from previous old world architecture. A great example of this facade material in use, is on the Woolworth Building in NYC. These pieces were built from a mold and not solid. They were installed with various iron and steel crimps and straps. The buildings that tend to be in better shape typically were mortared or grouted solid with few voids. This has allowed less water to penetrate and corrode the steel anchorage and lessened the impact on freeze thaw. Total replacement of these elements is quite a challenge. We have been involved in jobs where new terra cotta is used, generally from one of a few manufactures such as Boston Valley Terra Cotta and Gladding McBean. Another solution is to replicate the pieces in GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete). This is often less expensive and very light weight. It does however, require a structural backup system where structural stainless steel tubes, bars, and angles are used to create that backup structure. It is somewhat ironic that in order to preserve a facade with historic glazed architectural terra cotta pieces in something like GFRC, one is making a copy of something that was a copy of historic stone work which was probably a copy of ancient wood carvings. Perhaps someday something like GFRC will be considered quite important. When doing any of the above repairs, it is imperative that flashings be installed to protect the elements being repaired so they can last for extended periods and provide proper service.

Ciro Cuono, P.E., LEED AP, is a principal at Cuono Engineering PLLC, Port Chester, NY. He can be reached at [email protected]. Bruce Darling is principal and founder of BPD Roof Consulting, East Granby Ct. He can be reached at [email protected]


three months after Hurricane Sandy, my associate Nick and I found ourselves in the car of a resident of Breezy Point, New York, touring the destruction left in the wake of the storm. We witnessed the charred remains of one hundred and twenty-six homes that burned in eighty mile per hour winds. We drove along the beach and saw homes pushed off their foundations by waves, homes that had collapsed and homes tipped over so far they were actually leaning on neighboring homes. Virtually every building in this community was swamped in several feet of flood water. All the basements were flooded, HVAC equipment was ruined, and foundations were undermined or cracked. It was like nothing Ive ever seen before. We had come to Breezy Point at the behest of Jim Killoran from Habitat for Humanity of Westchester. Jim had asked us to come down and give a lesson on how to build flood

and wind resistant homes. When we arrived, Jim had set up a one room building as a classroom where around twenty-five local homeowners waited to hear if we could provide any helpful information. We spoke about base flood elevations, piers, piles, wind strapping, stick framing, modular construction, SIP panels, fire resistant siding, codes, insurance and anything else we could think of to help the people in this devastated community. We took questions for about half-an-hour, then spoke with individual families. This wasnt our first experience with storm damaged homes. We worked with Habitat for Humanity rebuilding a home destroyed by the Mamaroneck River flood in 2007. Weve worked on several homes damaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011. Ive even had to partially rebuild my own home after a powerful noreaster in 2010 brought a massive pine tree down onto our roof. But the damage and recovery efforts

by jaSon tayloR, aia

Feature

after Super Storm Sandy: a Westchester architect visits breezy point

As architects, we were the first people they had heard from who could actually guide them properly towards re-building.


after Sandy were of an entirely different and unfamiliar scale. Breezy Point is a beach community at the tip of the Rockaway peninsula. Despite its rows of bungalows and apparent vacation homes it is technically part of New York City and under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB). For even the smallest projects, working with the NYC DOB and its full inspection regime is complicated, time consuming and expensive. Breezy Points geographic isolation from the rest of New York City and the communitys status as a cooperative governed by its own rules, created a situation where residential renovations and additions have often skirted the citys bureaucracy and were completed with little oversight or input from architects and engineers. Many of the homes that we saw had major additions on them, some with second stories built right on top of the original wood frames and unreinforced block foundations. One home we toured had a side addition built directly on an old concrete patio with no footings; I imagine that work like this was not uncommon throughout Breezy Point. Without oversight these structures never received any mandated code upgrades. Walls were not braced for wind, foundations were not raised or reinforced for flooding and wave action. The hodgepodge of building elements and construction techniques exacerbated the damage from the storm making it tremendously difficult to repair these homes properly. Hurricane Sandy fallout has brought with it inspections and government agencies. Most of the homes have been labeled as substantially damaged and must now be brought up to code. That should be a good thing; it should mean that the new or repaired homes will be elevated above flood levels, braced for wind and waves and insulated to meet new energy codes. It should mean that future storms will no longer disrupt so many lives and cost so much money. But the reality is that these families are faced with the fact that there is really no sensible way to follow the rules and save the homes that they love; homes that they have worked hard on and invested in, homes that, in many cases have been in their families for generations. Perhaps the greatest obstacle for families with flood damaged homes is that they can barely afford to repair the damage, let alone build back properly. Many of the residents have no mortgages and subsequently no flood insurance. Even the families with flood insurance have found their settlements to be woefully inadequate. After talking to many residents, I heard that flood insurance settlements were hovering around $75,000 to $100,000, with an opportunity for an additional $30,000 for code upgrades. The technical challenges of raising these homes six to ten feet above grade to meet FEMA flood elevation requirements is compounded by code requirements for wind bracing and energy compliance. Over the years many of these homes have evolved from quaint bungalows into much larger two story homes. The unorthodox and unpredictable construction of these homes makes trying to save them a truly futile endeavor. To do this right, they should be torn down, built new, and built strong. But building in New York is expensive, especially with the full regulatory apparatus of the NYC DOB monitoring the whole process. For these families to get the living space they had before, I estimate the average family will need at least three times as much

as their insurance companies are offering. Over and over I heard that the families whose homes burned down are the lucky ones. They will get full replacement value as well as temporary accommodations from their homeowners insurance. Indeed, recent reports from Breezy Point indicate the vast majority of reconstruction is happening specifically in the burned down section of town. The families with only flood damage are still displaced and in limbo. Some have understandably defied the authorities, repaired their old homes and moved back in, willing to risk that another storm could destroy their home yet again. FEMA along with the City and State government have offered information and help. But none of the residents I spoke with had a definite path forward based on information they had been provided. Less than half the people we met were even aware that they would need to file for building permits, and they all will require permits. Nick and I didnt go to Breezy Point hoping to get any work. But after we spoke, we were approached by several families, to see if they could hire us. As architects, we were the first people they had heard from who could actually guide them properly towards re-building. In us, I think they saw a way forward, and I could sense their desperation. I would like to think we spoke eloquently, but there was nothing special about what we said. Its simply that they really need architects. The truth is that all along, for decades, theyve needed architects. They need us now, and they needed us before. As a profession weve failed to let the public know that architects should be their first resource for just about anything they do with their homes or buildings. This is true even when there is no disaster from which to recover. People dont know what we do, and they dont know where to find us. When I told some of the families what an architect can do for them, most admitted that they never thought about an architect. They talk to contractors, insurance adjusters and well meaning family and friends; many of whom provide all sorts of inaccurate information and questionable advice. We are the professionals that can tie all the pieces together. We can help homeowners navigate the


reconstruction of their homes and communities. Sadly for many in Breezy Point it may be too late for our help. A lack of funds, decades of questionable construction, a strong do-it local and do-it-yourself home improvement tradition, along with the daunting codes and zoning rules of New York City, have brought us to a place where there is not much even architects can do today. For a few months I kept in touch with one homeowner named Tom. He was living with his wife and two kids in a rental nearby while trying to figure out what to do with his flood damaged home. Tom told me how he had tried to ride out the storm. He felt his house sway back and forth as the wind whipped off the ocean. He listened to the framing crack and groan frighteningly until he was forced to evacuate as the tidal surge rolled in. I went back to Breezy Point to visit Toms home and see if I could offer some guidance. The family had built a large addition on their house just a few years earlier. The addition had completed a dream for this family and they were very happy there. As I toured the house with its walls and floor stripped down to expose the wood frame, I could clearly see that none of the addition was built to survive wind forces. I explained to Tom that with every sway back and forth, the connections holding his house together had gotten looser and looser. Given the homes condition, a new house would probably cost the same as attempting to elevate the house and repair it. Either way, between insurance and savings, he could not afford to get his home back.

He had filed some paperwork to get additional money from the government and was waiting nervously for a response. Its been many months since we last spoke, and from reports Ive read about Breezy Point I can only assume that Tom, like most of his neighbors is still searching for a way to rebuild. On a more hopeful note, my firm has recently completed construction documents for a new, modern, flood-proof, energy-efficient, home in Long Beach just fourteen miles east of Breezy Point. It will replace an old bungalow destroyed by the storm. We expect construction to begin this Spring. Long Beach, which on average sits just six feet above sea level, suffered similar devastation to Breezy Point with virtually every home on the island, sustaining substantial damage. But Long Beach is part of Nassau County and has a small and very helpful building department. It has an uncomplicated zoning ordinance and follows the Building Code of the State of New York. I spoke with the Long Beach Commissioner of Buildings recently; He expects at least 800 homes to be re-built in the next year. All of these homes will be elevated and safe from future storms. A few weeks ago, I walked up and down the streets in the Long Beach neighborhood where we are working. As I passed each neighbors house I smiled as I saw a single punched hole in each homes front walkway, a telltale sign that soil borings were taken. That means that architects and engineers have been hired and the necessary ground work has begun to build new and build properly.

Join us Tuesday March 4th for a night of fun at Spins Bowl at Grand Prix. Register online www.aiawhv.org


the third installment of this series will continue to examine the challenges presented by the Design Review Board process and explore strategies for successful navigation through this process. The core elements of these strategies were identified during a panel discussion hosted by AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley in conjunction with Westchester Municipal Planning Federation. The program was entitled, Navigating the Design Review Process, and included a panel discussion at the Chapters Expo event in October 2013. Panel participants included: Jerome Kerner AIA, Architect Elizabeth Parks AIA, Architect Valerie Monastra,Village of Ossining Planner Christian Miller, City of Rye Planner Lee Ellman, City of Yonkers Planning Director

Responses from previous articles in this series and attendee comments expressed during the October panel discussion share common elements. The observation most commonly shared is a majority of Design Review Boards are not composed of design professionals. Many seven member boards have one or two design professionals with the remaining board members (in theory) representing other building and development professions. Often boards have a more diverse membership which may include a wide range of interested community members with no experience in the design, construction or real estate professions.

This circumstance does not automatically mean a particular board will be inept at understanding a proposed application. Some communities view that distilling questions and observations into meaningful and productive commentary can be accomplished by all astute board members. However, real world experiences suggest non-building profession board members tend to be challenged in understanding drawings and technical information along with maintaining a focus on what the board is charged to review and on what to comment. Other common observations include the trend that effective boards follow effective leadership via the chairpersons seat. This effective board management is often in conjunction with a defined mission and good support tools like design guideline documents. The signature struggles during the design review board process have been examined in the previous two articles. This articles goal is to move beyond the frustrating portions of the process and discuss strategies for improving the process. These strategies fall into two primary paths: 1. The global path which seeks to improve the overall process 2. The pragmatic path which seeks to incrementally manage each aspect of the process to improve the linear flow The universal question for either path, (or the process in general), is, Does the design review board process yield better design results than a process that incorporates no design review? Therein lays the rub. This question is not in play in this discussion as I believe it is safe to say design review boards

by joHn D. fRy, aia, lEED ap bD+c

Feature

fear and loathing at Design Review boards: part iii

Does the design review process yield better results than a process that incorporates no design review?


are here to stay no matter what the consensus view is regarding their accomplishments. Design Review Boards have existed for over 25 years in many communities. They have surfaced in most areas of this country and are also surfacing globally and I believe the desire for individuals and communities to have a collective standing in all areas of community management, is consistent with societal entitlement. The genesis of Design Review Boards can be traced back to the creation of historic districts and the desire to better manage our built environment. From this arose the aesthetic, legal, and individual commitment support that can be found in boards today. Those subsequent historic review boards and commissions evolved to manage the past, present and future physical, social and financial prosperity of those districts. On the individual side, the idea of being better stewards of our community fabric is universally embraced as good and noble. This trend, as it relates to influencing and managing design via civic means and methods, can be traced back to the first Design Review Board formed: the Vieux Carrie Commission, the historic review board charged with managing the deterioration of the Vieux Carrie in New Orleans (aka French Quarter). The legal foundation for Design Review Boards is also linked to the creation of the first historic districts and subsequent historic review boards and commissions. The legal concepts which grew out of the historic districts legal concepts, have been court tested and have prevailed in the majority of cases. In my view, the single most important strategy, for globally improving the design review process is for architects and other design professionals, is to become more active in ones own community governance. Many of us who serve on design review boards share mixed feelings regarding this service. I find myself constantly balancing my personal observations with the specific charges to our board based on the Village Code language and remind other board members of the fairly narrow bandwidth of commentary which we are allowed to provide to an applicant. As an applicant appearing in front of other boards, I sometimes see familiar elements of board members wandering off the defined path of commentary. Whether you serve on a board or actively influence and lobby your community leaders towards effective means and methods for design review, it is important that you become engaged in your community. Any improvements that can/will be made as architects, start with assisting your community in improving the process. Many communities have developed reference documents beyond the basic zoning language to better delineate aesthetic goals and desires. The purpose and benefit of these design guidelines is to provide a higher level of communication between municipality and applicant. Promoting advanced communication is a direction that all design professionals need to actively promote in their respective communities. Standing on the sidelines and criticizing the process is not a productive option. I strongly believe this is one of the areas in which AIA members can separate themselves from non-AIA members. Strategies for navigating the Design Review Board process vary with the scale of each project, yet not without common elements . For example, the single family residence review process obviously differs greatly from a regional shopping

center project review, yet several common elements are explored in the design review board process. The core element in this discussion is, your design should reflect your clients program and the fundamental design elements as an extension of the program. As opposed to, designing the project to get it approved. Ultimately, there may be areas of compromise, so the first element of preparing for the Design Review Board process is to understand the nature and perspective of compromise. That is to say compromises may depend on what side of the application you represent. Engaging in the art of compromise is an important skill set for design professionals to develop according to all sides of the discussion. This is not to suggest abandoning a strong commitment to specific elements of your design and your clients goals during the review process, it is simply to frame the reality that it is difficult, if not impossible, to find uncompromising design in contemporary society, even among Starchitects. Embracing Howard Roark heroism is indeed admirable if it is pliable enough to keep your core design elements intact. Many individuals and boards would characterize this type of heroism as a flaw, if it yields an impasse with a Design Review Board. The next level of strategy is fundamental to the architecture profession. It is one of the core elements to our education. These are skills which cannot become stagnate in your repertoire, and cannot be emphasized enough. The art of excellent communication can be your best tool in advancing your design and your clients interests. This communication excellence is divided equally between: speaking skills, writing skills and graphic skills. Successful navigation of the design review process cannot be accomplished without competence in all three.

Good reconnaissance is an important element to any process and is especially critical in navigating the design review process. Often good reconnaissance begins with informal meetings with neighbors and other stake holders. A knowledgeable applicant is a well received applicant no matter what the proposal. Good reconnaissance continues with understanding:

Who are the design review board members? What are their names and professions? Who are the extended community representatives that may appear to speak on behalf of stake holders? What are important attributes of the community for which the project is proposed? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your design and application? No design and application are perfect so recognizing these elements and speaking to them in a straightforward manner during the review process tends to garner sincere appreciation by board members who have heard many applicants speak to the wonder of their proposal. Because all applications exist in context; rural, suburban, urban, economically challenged or affluent; historic or contemporary; an extension of existing built environment or a signature project, the specific project constraints and opportunities should be recognized and properly articulated during the design review process, in order to achieve ones goals.


Actually, its closer to 16,000 lakes.This I learned in August as part of a seven person group that had the opportunity to travel to Minnesota as a guest of Marvin Windows and Doors. We were escorted by Steve Ihlenburg, our chapters Architectural Representative for Super Enterprises of Melville, New York. Steve is our chapters go-to resource for Marvin. We departed LGA early on a gloomy August Tuesday morning for MinneapolisSt. Paul, yet arrived in the bright and sunny twin cities. After a direct shuttle over to our hotel and a quick deposit of our luggage, we were back in the van for an exciting day of architectural treasure building tour. On the tour, we had the pleasure of viewing work from Charles Lazor, Edward Larrabee Barnes, Herzog & de Meuron, Cesar Pelli, Gunner Birkerts, Philip Johnson and John Burgee and others. Unfortunately, time did not allow us to visit works by Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, but it is safe to say the Twin Cities have their fair share of great projects. I would have liked to get to another great building, Target Field, to take in a Twins game but my legs could only do so much. After a well earned rest the next morning we were off to Warroad, MN via

one of four aircraft operated by Marvin. Warroad is the home to Marvin, although they do have other manufacturing sites. A few years ago Marvin constructed a training center that contains classrooms, a museum, a gift shop, dining and catering capa

Documents

ArchPLUS Winter 2014 Vol.1 No.1