2007 DESIGN AWARDS DINNER WRAPUP

With the Statue of Liberty as the backdrop, the Society of American Registered Architects/New York Council held their 12th annual Professional Design Awards Dinner. This year’s event was at the Battery Garden Restaurant at the southern most tip of Manhattan; the venue provided all who attended with a 180 degree panorama view of the New York Harbor in its full majesty. On display was Brooklyn, The Verrazano Narrows Bridge, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island and of course New Jersey.

With about 140 people in attendance, the night started off with Cocktails flowing as everyone moved around amongst all the winning submissions on displayed. Tommy Papadatos’ Jazz band provided the music as people mingled and conversed, old friends’ reconnected and new friendships were made.

As day turned into night everyone watched the magnificent sunset on the second floor deck of the restaurant. They all than came inside so as to commence the second leg of our celebration.

The dinner portion of the night featured the presentation of 28 awards that ranged from students to the upper echelon of architectural firms.

The four Jurors: Michael Macaluso, FARA, Adriana Garcia, FARA, Phyllis Sperling, ARA and Kristen Richards of Oculus Magazine all did a fantastic job of recognizing top notch design and really outdid themselves on this year’s selection.

Multiple award winners were: Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, Bentel & Bentel Architects, Scarano Architects, Spector Group and Amiaga Photography.

New York City College of Technology had a strong presence as their students garnered four honors, all of them being either Award of Excellences or Merits.

The New York Council was also well represented at the podium as Tim Maldonado, ARA a current Board Member along with immediate Past President Suzette Stoler, ARA from Jacobs Edwards & Kelcy and former President John Scheschareg, ARA with Oculus Consulting Group all took with them awards.

The top honors went to Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Additions and Renovations at the Pierpont Morgan Library which was the Project of the Year recipient, Firm of the Year was bestowed upon HOK SVE for their work on both the new Yankee and Mets baseball stadiums while Frank J. Sciame received the prestigious Medallion of Honor award for all that he and his companies have contributed in the realm of design and construction here in New York City.

As the night wound down small groups of people who attended were spotted out on the deck, or finishing off their deserts inside or at the outdoor bar having a night cap. This meant only one thing, that we all wanted to hold on to this special moment to the very end.