Join our June 26 Meeting: 1 CEU
Welcome to Bronx AIA
Updated June 11, 2025
El-Borinquen Residence
285 East 138 Street
Bronx, NY
Watch the WHV Chapter's Climate Conference presentation by a Bronx Chapter Member - 10/7/24
Watch the Bronx Chapter's Climate Change Presentation on YouTube
Watch the recording of the AIA Bronx Chapter's Continuing Education presentation on YouTube:
Reducing Embodied Carbon to Reduce Global Warming
Learn how to reduce the carbon emissions embodied in your design projects. Learn why we must do so immediately.
AIA Bronx Chapter Members in the News
Chapter Member delivers Keynote Address on Embodied Carbon at AIA LA's 1.5°C Symposium.
"Embodied Carbon - WHY NOW?" is a wakeup call for everyone in the AEC Industry. Watch the 2024 Keynote recording on YouTube at https://youtu.be/f7HVPG4vXqA
"Mid-Century Modern" Architecture saved by Third-Generation Bronx-Chapter Architect Bryan Zelnik
Bryan Zelnik, grandson of Simon B. Zelnik, FAIA, one of the Bronx Chapter’s Founders, championed preservation of his grandfather’s architecture in Scarsdale NY.
In 1949 Simon Zelnik, FAIA, designed a ‘mid-century modern’ residence at 76 Birchall Drive, Scarsdale NY. The current owners were looking to sell the house and property, to be demolished and sub-divided for two new homes. Bronx Chapter’s Bryan Zelnik mobilized the surrounding community and proceeded to lobby the Committee for Historic Preservation and Scarsdale’s Board of Trustees to defeat the tear-down application. After a contentious battle and appeal, The Board of Trustees concluded that the home possessed distinctive characteristics of the mind-century modern style, and retained the majority of its features and integrity. They voted to deny the appeal.
Bryan is a third-generation architect, and a third-generation member of the AIA Bronx Chapter. His father, Martin Zelnik, was a beloved member and chapter vice-president.
RIVERDALE HISTORIC DISTRICT
October 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The walking tour will begin and end at the intersection of 252nd Street & Independence Avenue, Bronx NY.
The AIA/Bronx County Historical Society walking tour will explore the Riverdale Historic District, one of the first settled suburbs in New York City. The district encompasses the stretch of land between Independence Avenue and Sycamore Avenue, between West 252ndStreet and West 254th Street.
There is limited parking - the use of mass transit is recommended, Wear comfortable shoes, The tour will take place rain or shine.
Price:
AIA Members or BCHS $20
Non Members $30
Contact information:
Bob Esnard, AIA besnard@dzco.com
Roger McCormack, BCHS education@bronxhistoricalsociety.org
The tour will be led by Roger McCormick of the Bronx County Historical Society, and Julian Misiurski, AIA will stop at landmarks and historic sites in Riverdale, including the Wave Hill Estate and Lou Gehrig’s home.
The area, laid out in the 19th century by developer William Ackerman, was a planned suburban development, one of the first of its kind in New York City. The tour will focus on the city beautiful movement and urban development in the 19thcentury, explore the history of The Bronx and Riverdale with a particular focus on urbanization, and delve deeply into the architecture of the historic district, which includes stately examples of colonial and colonial revival architecture.
AIA Bronx Chapter 2023 Awards
Winners of the CCNY Kingsbridge Armory Competition sponsored by the AIA Bronx
The AIA Bronx Chapter awarded $1,200 to the winning team, and $600 to the runner-up team at the Bernard & Anne Spitzer School of Architecture .
Front row (from left): 2nd place team Florjan Plepi, Mateo Penafiel & Rustam Domullojonov; Counclmember Pierina Sanchez; Deputy Borough President Janet Peguero; Marxell Mejia Vargas, Mahomudur Rahma, Mingyao Chen; Winning Team Shiva Abbaszadeh & Wyatt Scott Kuebler.
2nd row (from left to right): Marta Gutman, PhD, Dean of Architecture, Bernard & Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, CCNY; Sara Jazayeri, AIA Bronx president; Juton Horstman, Dir. Bronx Planning & Development; Henry Obispo, President United Restaurant Cooperative; Juan Nunez, NW Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition.
3rd Rrow (from left): Michael Goldblum, AIABronx; Fernando Ortiz, Asst. Vice President, NYC EDC
Other Chapter Links
‘Buy Clean’ construction Webinar
‘Buy Clean’ policies regulate
embodied carbon. They require
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
This is for everyone.
The Environmental Law Institute’s
free webinar recording
is available now. Click to Watch
Climate Compliance vs Action 2023:
An Update on “BUY CLEAN,”
EMISSIONS, EPDS, and FUNDING.
Moderated by Bronx Chapter Member
Bill Caplan
Direct Link to the NYC Department of Buildings Website
A link to the NYC Department of Building. Easy access for our chapter members.
About Us
2025 Bronx Chapter Officers
President: Sara Djazayeri
Vice President: Julian Misiurski
Secretary: Robert Esnard
Treasurer: Ken Koons Jr.
Directors: Ofe Clarke, Ken Koons Sr,
Julian Misiurski, Bryan Zelnik
and Nico Zapata
History
The Bronx Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), represents Architects who practice and/or live within Bronx County of New York City. The Chapter was founded in 1945 to promote the profession, the objectives of the American Institute of Architects, and architecture within the Borough of the Bronx.
The American Institute of Architects was founded in New York City in 1857 and today has over Ninety Thousand members nationwide with its current administrative offices located in Washington, D.C. The Bronx Chapter is also a Member of AIA New York State, which has eight thousand members. The State organization was formed in 1931 from the then practicing group of licensed architects: The State of New York Council of Registered Architects. The AIA New York State organization is comprised of thirteen local chapters, including one in each of the five boroughs.
Chapter Benefits
The Bronx Chapter members are committed to represent the professional interests of Architects in relation to allied businesses and the public concerning the planning, design, architecture, and construction issues of the borough. The Chapter interacts with Bronx elected officials, its educational institutions, and local non-profit organizations to enhance Bronx County while simultaneously supporting the highest level of professional conduct.
The AIA Bronx, due to its size, offers its members the ability to participate together on a very personal basis. The chapter develops its agenda from its members to advocate with government agencies, elected officials and community leaders for the "built environment". The chapter meets at the convenience of its members. Meetings take place on different months during the day and other times at night – allowing members flexibility to attend.
AIA Bronx publicizes and celebrates design by joining AIA Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island for an annual awards program.
