Bronx AIA
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    • Home
    • AIA Bronx Tours - 2 CEU
    • BRONX ARCHITECTS
    • Books
    • Awards & Scholarships
    • Tours for Schools
    • Member Designs
    • President's Message
    • Newsletter Archives
    • Bronx Buildings
    • In Memoriam
    • Policy Statements
  • Home
  • AIA Bronx Tours - 2 CEU
  • BRONX ARCHITECTS
  • Books
  • Awards & Scholarships
  • Tours for Schools
  • Member Designs
  • President's Message
  • Newsletter Archives
  • Bronx Buildings
  • In Memoriam
  • Policy Statements

Join our October 15 meeting

Welcome to Bronx AIA

Welcome to Bronx AIA Welcome to Bronx AIA Welcome to Bronx AIA


Updated 9/27/26


El-Borinquen Residence

285 East 138 Street 

Bronx, NY



                                                 

EVENTS & CHAPTER MEETINGS

October 15, 2026 - Thursday

AIA Bronx Chapter Meeting

6pm

Event Details

October 15, 2026 - Thursday

AIA Bronx Chapter Meeting

Join our Oct 15 Chapter Meeting  on Zoom for 1 CEU

Presentation on “Smart Concrete” by Kryton International


RSVP to Bob Esnard: besnard@dzco.c...

Event Details

6pm

October 17, 2026 - Saturday

Orchard Beach & Hunter Island Tour - 2 LU/HSW

10 AM to Noon

Event Details

October 17, 2026 - Saturday

Orchard Beach & Hunter Island Tour - 2 LU/HSW

AIA Bronx Chapter with The Bronx County Historical Society

October 17, 2026 – Saturday 10:00AM - 12:00PM  

The tour will begin in Orchard Beac...

Event Details

10 AM to Noon

November 3-6, 2026

AIA Tri-State Conference

6pm

Event Details

November 3-6, 2026

AIA Tri-State Conference

Hyatt Regency , Princton,, NJ

 https://www.aianys.org/event/2026-tri-state-conference/ 

6pm

November 19, 2026 - Thursday

AIA Bronx Chapter Meeting

6pm

Event Details

November 19, 2026 - Thursday

AIA Bronx Chapter Meeting

Join our Nov19 Chapter Meeting  on Zoom for 1 CEU

Presentation WestWood USA Liquid Technologies  


RSVP to Bob Esnard: besnard@dzco.com , 212-9...

Event Details

6pm

December 2026 & January 2027

AIA Bronx Chapter Future Meetings Schedule

Event Details

December 2026 & January 2027

AIA Bronx Chapter Future Meetings Schedule

 Meeting cancellation notices will be emailed to the Bronx Chapter's membership list as they occur.

December 17,  2026, Holiday Luncheon - TB...

Event Details

More Events

AIA Bronx 2026 Fall Tour: October 17 - 2 LU/HSW

Orchard Beach & Hunter Island Walking Tour

 · Date and Time: Oct 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM to12:00 PM

· Location Orchard Beach Parking Lot, Bronx, New York, NY 


· Price   Architect / BCHS member $20 - Associate member $20-  Non-member $25

· Special Instructions   Wear comfortable shoes and 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 in the Bronx with the New Parks Act of 1884. As a result, the amount of total parkland in the Bronx is 4,000 acres, the most of any borough of New York City. 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. 


For more information Contact Bob Esnard, AIA besnard@dzco.com 


Bronx Chapter - 2025 Design Showcase

Antonio Freda, AIA

  Cinqueterre, located in the Belmont section of the Bronx. 

Bryan Zelnik, RA/AIA

   Kenny's on the Water, New Rochelle.

Michael Goldblum, AIA LEED AP

Michael Goldblum, AIA LEED AP

 Blackstone Parc in the Riverdale section of the Bronx

Nico Zapata, AIA

Bhargav Munagala, Assoc. AIA

Michael Goldblum, AIA LEED AP

 Guidepost Montessori,  Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Bhargav Munagala, Assoc. AIA

Bhargav Munagala, Assoc. AIA

Info on 'MEMBER DESIGNS' Page >>>

Bhargav Munagala, Assoc. AIA

Bhargav Munagala, Assoc. AIA

Bhargav Munagala, Assoc. AIA

  Oak Tree Residence, Colonia, NJ 

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. 


Watch the WHV Chapter's Climate Conference presentation by a Bronx Chapter Member - 10/7/24

Embodied Carbon’s impact on Climate Change & What We Can Do About It.

 Embodied Carbon’s impact on Climate Change & What We Can Do About It.  On YouTube



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.

AIA Bronx 2025 Fall Tour: October 25 - 2 LU/HSW

Norwood/Urban Planning (2 CEU)

Course Number:     AIA Bx 24

October  25, 2025, 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.   

   

Start and End:  Morris High School, 1110 Boston Road, The Bronx, NY 10456


Price  Architect Member $20
Associate Member $20
Non-Member $25

  

Contact information:

Bob Esnard, AIA besnard@dzco.com 


The Fall AIA Morrisania walking tour will focus on the neighborhood of Morrisania, one of the oldest and most historic areas in The Bronx, site of the Morris family’s historic estate. The family produced two Founding Fathers and were seminal in the history of the United States, as well as playing outsize roles in the politics of both New York and New Jersey. The tour will focus on the historic Morris High School district of Morrisania, specifically on 19th and 20th century row houses. The tour will start at Morris High School and stop next at historic churches and apartments in the area, including Trinity Episcopal Church. 


The tour will also focus on German immigration to the area in the 19th century, with a many German Beer brewers developing their plants in Morrisania at this time. In addition, the recent government redevelopment actives, in terms on zoning and public and private investment that increased residential and business construction and occupancy will be reviewed. During the walking tour, the architectural history of the area will be discussed with its profusion of Romanesque, art-deco, and Italianate design. Brutalism will also be discussed, and how successfully the rebuilding of the historic area into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood worked. The tour group making a stop at the Morrisania Air Rights, a famous NYCHA complex between 161st and 158th Street.


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 .   


MORE INFORMATION


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


Bronx Chapter's 2023 Empowerment Scholarships

Four $1,000 Scholarships were awarded.

MORE INFORMATION

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.

NYC Buildings

About Us

2026 Bronx Chapter Officers

President: Sara Djazayeri

Vice President: Julian Misiurski

Secretary: Robert Esnard 

Treasurer: Ken Koons Jr. 


Directors: Of
e’ Clarke, Ken Koons Sr,

Leila Pena, Nico Zapata & Bryan Zelnik 

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.

 


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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.

AIA Bronx Statement on Racial Inequality

  

Mourning with the families of the latest senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many more, the Bronx AIA commemorated and celebrated Juneteenth, the date in which the last enslaved persons were freed after emancipation. The Bronx AIA membership seeks to go beyond the platitudes of standing in solidarity in recognizing that “Black Lives Matter” and the core values of the racial equality. We live and practice architecture in one of our nation’s poorest, most disadvantaged and diverse communities, therefore we see it as our special responsibility to expand our mission and pledge as Bronx AIA and community members:


  • To identify and reduce existing barriers and inequities that prevent increased racial diversification in our profession.
  • To reach out to and engage all young people of color interested in architecture and encourage them to pursue our profession.
  • To  continue our advocacy for community-based solutions to improving the quality of our immediate built environment.
  • To strengthen our resolve by partnering with like-minded professional, community, and educational groups.
  • To  mentor and develop black, brown and other disadvantaged student and intern architects as they enter our profession.
  • To challenge assumptions, personal and professional, that inhibit our participation in the growth of our community.


This is a moment of great opportunity for growth, inclusion and promise for the Bronx AIA, the profession and the nation. 


The Bronx Chapter of the AIA

NEWSLETTERS 2025-2026

 Click on a file to download. 

Vol 26-06 AIA Bronx Newsletter Sep 2026 (pdf)Download
Vol 26-05 AIA Bronx Newsletter Jun2026 (pdf)Download
Vol 26-04 AIA Bronx Newsletter Apr2026 (pdf)Download
Vol 26-03 AIA Bronx Newsletter Mar 2026 (pdf)Download
Vol 26-02 AIA Bronx Newsletter Feb 2026 (pdf)Download
Vol 26-01 AIA Bronx Newsletter Jan 2026 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-08 AIA Bronx Newsletter Nov 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-07 AIA Bronx Newsletter Oct 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-06 AIA Bronx Newsletter Sep 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-05 AIA Bronx Newsletter Jun 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-04 AIA Bronx Newsletter Apr 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-03 AIA Bronx Newsletter Mar 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-02 AIA Bronx Newsletter February 2025 (pdf)Download
Vol 25-01 AIA Bronx Newsletter Jan 2025. (pdf)Download

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 AIA Bronx Chapter Contact: Bob Esnard
Chapter Secretary

212-977-4800, besnard@dzco.com 

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