AIANY Welcomes Ben Gilmartin as President, Celebrates 2025 Board and Theme

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, AIA New York welcomed its 2025 Board of Directors at the annual Board Inaugural and Holiday Gathering, and passed the gavel to 2025 AIANY President Benjamin Gilmartin, AIA.

Executive Director Jesse Lazar, Assoc. AIA, and 2024 President Greg Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, began the evening by celebrating last year's achievements. In 2024 alone, AIA New York hosted over 330 events, provided over 300 continuing education credits, welcomed over 19,000 program attendees, and hosted more than 19,000 guests on board over 450 architecture cruises offered in partnership with Classic Harbor Line.

In addition to reviewing the past year's highlights across programs, advocacy, exhibitions, and more, the evening celebrated members and projects of the architecture and design community for their contributions. Each year, AIANY's Vice Presidents recognize the Chapter's program committees with Vice Presidential Citations for contributions in each of the organization's mission areas: design excellence, public outreach, and professional development. Congratulations to the following 2025 awardees:

AIANY Citation for Design Excellence: AIANY recognizes The Future of Public Space and Art series, coordinated by Ann Marie Baranowski, FAIA, LEED AP, and the Cultural Facilities Committee, for its exploration of creating equitable public spaces, public art, and enhancing community well-being.

AIANY Citation for Professional Development: AIANY recognizes the Design Sprint Series, an initiative of the AIANY Emerging New York Architects Committee and the Cross-Learning Alliance, as a model of collaborative innovation and professional development. 

AIANY Citation for Public Outreach: AIANY recognizes the Reimagining Justice Film Festival organized by the AIANY Architecture for Justice Committee, for bringing into discourse how architects can be more impactful advocates for a better world.

Following the passing of the historic AIANY gavel from Switzer to Gilmartin, Gilmartin discussed his presidential theme, "See You IRL: Designing for Public Life," which centers on the importance of our shared physical spaces in New York City. At a time when digital connections often overshadow face-to-face interactions, this year's theme emphasizes the power of public spaces-our streets, parks, plazas, and more-as vital arenas for social connection, creativity, and civic engagement. Through thoughtful and collaborative design, architects and urban planners can foster inclusive, vibrant spaces that address present-day challenges including affordability, climate resilience, and equity. Gilmartin's year-long initiative will spotlight the role of architects in creating environments that promote joy, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, strengthening the urban fabric of our life.

As he joins us at the helm of our Chapter, Gilmartin, Partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, brings to his presidency 25 years of experience in architecture. Formerly Chair of the AIANY Global Dialogues Committee, Gilmartin is an active member of the AIA and has organized panel discussions and events at the Center for Architecture since 2017. In addition, he has spoken in AIA conferences nationally, including giving the keynote address and serving as Honor Awards Jury Chair for the AIA Colorado and Western Mountain Region Practice and Design Conference (2015), giving the keynote address for the AIA Wisconsin Convention and Expo in Madison (2015), and lecturing and serving on the Honor Awards Jury for AIA Minnesota in Minneapolis (2013).

Please join us in welcoming Gilmartin to his position as AIANY President, as well as all incoming members of the AIANY Board of Directors!