Getting to Know You

January – March 2021

NEWLY LICENSED:

Allison B. Gorman, AIA David Y. Kim, AIA Aimee Lopez, AIA Lauren G. McClellan, AIA

NEW MEMBERS:

Xian Chi, AIA Aanya Chugh, Assoc. AIA Erik S. Churchill, AIA Dennis V. Cook, Assoc. AIA Adam DeMura, Assoc. AIA Nicholas Duch, Assoc. AIA Carla Fuquene-Pena, AIA Sarah W. Gilliland, AIA Andrew D. Golson, Assoc. AIA Cheri Hawkins, AIA Sarah Holtzer, AIA Andrew Kim, Assoc. AIA Gregory J. Kiss, AIA Aman Krishan, AIA Deirdre M. McMullen, Assoc. AIA Clinton A. Miller, AIA Benjamin J. Morris, AIA Emre Ozdemir, Assoc. AIA Samantha Pearce, Assoc. AIA Aaron W. Polson, Assoc. AIA Angel Y. Rodriguez-Colon, Assoc. AIA Matthew Rosen, Assoc. AIA Gaurav Sardana, AIA Aaron Schlesinger, AIA Changyup Shin, AIA Charles V. Thornton, AIA John Tran, AIA Ursula Trost, Assoc. AIA Whitney Voss, AIA Sandra Wheeler, AIA Tom Xia, Assoc. AIA Sylvester R. Yavana, Assoc. AIA Sarah Young, Assoc. AIA Marissa N. Zane, AIA GETTING TO KNOW YOU The Membership Committee asked AIA Brooklyn members to answer 10 questions in order to Get to Know Them Better. Here’s what they had to say!

WHAT’S YOUR NAME, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? Adam Schiffmacher

Leo

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? The blend of technical building trades, art and function. The profession demands creativity, technical prowess and knowledge of how spaces function together - all tied together with the cultural ebbs and flows of society.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART? The lack of understanding by the general public about what architects actually do on a day to day basis. Close second is compromising design quality to make money - but then again, Architect’s do need to eat.

WHAT SOUND OR NOISE DO YOU LOVE? I would say probably tree leaves rustling in the wind. Very calming.

WHAT NATURAL GIFT OR MAGIC POWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO POSSESS? The magic power to never lose any of my pens/pencils.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE? I would probably want to meet Gaudi, and talk to him about his design process.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON CREATIVELY, SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY? A good story. Whether told through a book, film, work of art - we’re a world full of storytellers finding our own ways through different mediums to tell them.

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT? Structural Engineer or Comedian. Those are very far apart, but you’d be surprised how much improv comedy training can bleed over into almost every aspect of life. I think I’d try to be an Architect/Engineer that moonlights doing comedy. Or the reverse.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OR SPACE? A cabin on a lake in the middle of nowhere.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST? Ah that age old question. Right now, I would say Sir David Adjaye and Elizabeth Diller. Sorry, that’s two. arrow-left DID YOU KNOW? As previously stated by

Sir David Adjaye, “architecture is ‘a social act’ - it’s about constructing buildings that acknowledge and understand their histories, whilst creating something entirely new, to serve communities into their futures.” This ideology is present in one of his projects, Sugar Hill Mixed-

Use Structure located in Harlem, New

York, designed by Adjaye Associates serves as a typology for affordable housing. Inspired by the neighborhood’s

Gothic revival row-houses, Sugar Hill, created from a textured slab building circumscribed by graphite tinted pre-cast panels, achieves an ornamental effect.

In addition to housing, it also includes a mixed-use program of museum space, community facilities, and offices.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? Landry Bado

Aries

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? My favorite part of the Architecture Profession is the impact that it has on non-architectural things. Architecture is connected to so many things and is such a big part of culture that it is part of those things that move the world.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART? The field of Architecture feels very closed-off to me. In school, we would always be in studio and had very little interaction with the other students. I guess that gets carried over into the professional world. There is interaction between architects and their collaborators, but not really beyond the professional realm.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON CREATIVELY, SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY? What I love to see the most is people that have a great sense of self and feel good in their skin. The more someone is themselves, the more inspiring they are to me.

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT? I think that pastry chef would be a very interesting profession to attempt.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OR SPACE? I love being in my bathroom. It’s the space where I feel the safest and coziest.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST? My favorite architect is Francis Kere. I’ve alway looked up to him because I am originally from Burkina Faso, like him. His architecture feels mindful and down to earth.

WHAT SOUND OR NOISE DO YOU LOVE? I love all sounds of water: rain, waves, drip. all of it.

WHAT NATURAL GIFT OR MAGIC POWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO POSSESS? I wished I could teleport. It would make things so much more convenient for me!

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE? If I could, I would want to meet Grace Jones, she’s such an icon! I imagine having a conversation about her youth and partying at Studio 54 with Andy Warhol, Naomie Campbell. etc.

arrow-right DID YOU KNOW? The headstand, a form of exercise, involves turning your body upside down. Like a yoga pose, the headstand includes many health benefits such as improve concentration levels and vision.

Furthermore, it also prevents headaches, alleviates stress and depression, enhances digestion, strengthens the upper body, spine, and core, boosts digestion.

arrow-left DID YOU KNOW? Francis Kéré, Founder of

Kéré Architecture in 2005, is a Burkinabè contemporary architect known for his holistic design and sustainable construction approach. Amongst his fascinating design projects is a temporary installation,

Colorscape, located at Skylit Atrium,

Perelman Building, Philadelphia Museum of

Art. Designed for the Creative Africa series at Philadelphia Museum of Art, Colorscape is constructed from a simple material, multicolor steel, that proves repetition of organic and geometrical patterns can produce a moving and symbolic space.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? Farzam Yazdanseta

Aquarius

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? Synthesizing ideas from a multitude of factors and disciplines, channeling those through representation and drawings, and bringing that to life through the physical construct.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART? The mirage of deadlines.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON CREATIVELY, SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY? Humility & Headstands.

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT? Pilot.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OR SPACE? Lake Como.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST? Peter Eisenman.

WHAT SOUND OR NOISE DO YOU LOVE? At the moment, the sounds of laughter of my 3-month old niece over WhatsApp, Frida, whom I have yet to meet.

WHAT NATURAL GIFT OR MAGIC POWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO POSSESS? Time Travel.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE? Giuseppe Terragni, about Como’s ugly past and beautiful presence, and how he led me to Peter Eisenman.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? Matthew Celmer

Taurus

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? Buildings and spaces are instrumental in people’s everyday lives, I love the idea that a small design gesture or a thoughtful solution can live on in someone’s memories and dreams for years or even decades after they move on. As a profession we have the great opportunity and responsibility to create spaces that can and should influence the habits and memories of its users.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART? Being overly constrained by regulations, rules, and codes.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON CREATIVELY, SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY? Reading literature or watching creative films – I typically seek out artists work beyond our own professional boundaries for inspiration.

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT? Film Making

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OR SPACE? Washington Square Park

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST? Architect: Louis Kahn, Artist: On Kawaran.

WHAT SOUND OR NOISE DO YOU LOVE? The opening of a soda can.

WHAT NATURAL GIFT OR MAGIC POWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO POSSESS? I wish I could look at historical buildings and be able to literally read or see the events and people that were there before us.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE? The filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni, I would love to sit with him while watching a series of his films to hear the process of how he constructs visual frames.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? Ayan Askarbek

Sagittarius

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? My favorite part of the architecture profession is seeing our 2D drawings develop into a 3D object. We don’t do 3D modeling in my office and I just enjoy seeing our plans and sections end up being constructed. I enjoy making something out of nothing.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART? My least enjoyable part of the architecture profession is dealing with clients that don’t believe in our ability to produce a great project for them.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE? I’d like to meet the builders behind the European cathedrals. Also just witness the production.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON CREATIVELY, SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY? I enjoy walking. It helps me to think and relax. Usually during my walks I try to observe buildings around me and get inspired.

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT? I would love to be a chef, but I’m not sure I can handle the stress and pressure of that job haha

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OR SPACE? One of my favorite spaces is the Roman wing at the Met. It’s so well lit and grand. Love the scale.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST? My favorite architect is Bjarke Ingles. He was one of the first people I researched that got me excited about the profession.

WHAT SOUND OR NOISE DO YOU LOVE? I love the sound of rivers and ocean waves. Something about it is just so soothing.

WHAT NATURAL GIFT OR MAGIC POWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO POSSESS? I would want to be able to control the earth and metals around me. Would make my life easier when I build.

arrow-up DID YOU KNOW? Built in 1905, the

Boathouse in Prospect Park is amongst the first buildings in New York City declared as a historic landmark.

Influenced by the Beaux-Arts style, the

Boathouse is covered by a white terracotta façade with French doors leading to a terrace overlooking the lake. Facing west, the Boathouse maximizes the park’s beauty by capturing the sunsets. Now, the Boathouse is a rental, available for an average of 150 to 225 guests for many occasions such as weddings.

arrow-left DID YOU KNOW? Designed by Francisco

Paula del Villar and later, Antonio Gaudi,

Sagrada Familia is amongst the most breathtaking cathedrals located in

Barcelona, Spain. With over 150 years under construction, Sagrada Familia, the largest cathedral in Europe, is estimated to be completed by 2026. Inspired by nature, the cathedral is one meter shorter than the highest mountain in Barcelona.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? Addie Suchorab

Virgo

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? Drawing! To draw through ideas at any stage of a design is such a privilege. I also love getting immersed into the world of a project and learning about the users and the place. It is fascinating to learn about all the components of a day in the life of a doctor, patient, museum visitor, student, artist, researcher, etc.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION? It is easy to become impatient with the necessary licensing process and paperwork required. And of course, there is a long game in becoming a well-rounded professional who can tastefully and sensitively design and yet know how a building gets assembled. Often, we can have infinite architectural ideas and passion but the technical skills, software skills, and experience are necessary for successfully sharing your ideas or even making them real.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON CREATIVELY, SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY? Materiality always gets me! I can spend hours in a creative mind looking at paint, stone, fabric, wool, bricks, etc. Landscape/site is where I put a lot of effort in spiritual connection or emotional responses, whether it be for a specific architecture project or personal exploration.

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT? To have entire days as a maker/artist/ craftsperson with unlimited supplies and space would be a total dream.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OR SPACE? I always love a wide-open prairie field and big sky. There are tricks (squinting helps) to make the Brooklyn fire escape or rooftop feel like your own mini version.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST? This answer changes by the minute these days with all the access to imagery online and being virtually able to visit museums or places so easily. I recently discovered the early 20th century artist Hilma af Klint and her abstract work is captivating, even today.

WHAT SOUND OR NOISE DO YOU LOVE? When your pizza slice is ready and the metal tool sound of transferring it from the oven to the paper plate.

WHAT NATURAL GIFT OR MAGIC POWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO POSSESS? To be able to pick up any musical instrument and just play.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE? A stroll through Florence with Michelangelo would be mind-blowing and maybe I could get him to spill gossip on the Medici’s. We might even ‘accidently’ run into da Vinci and then we could have a really good debate …on everything, actually EVERYTHING. Those two seemed to know a lot about all subjects and I suspect there are things they knew about that we still don’t understand.

arrow-left DID YOU KNOW? During the rise of the pandemic in New York during

March 2020, many residents looked for alternative spaces for fresh air, while remaining safe and socially distanced.

Ever since March, the use of rooftops has been ignited and eventually, the most-wanted outdoor spaces.

Located in Pier 6, Brooklyn Heights,

Fornino offers a great soundtrack with a view over Manhattan. Many

Brooklynites recommend to try Fornino’s firewood pizza.

QUESTIONS INSPIRED BY Brooklyn’s own Notorious B.I.G.; James Lipton, Bernard Pivot and Marcel Proust

WANT US TO GET TO KNOW YOU A LITTLE BETTER? Send an email to secretary@aiabrooklyn.org to be featured in an upcoming issue of PYLON.