by Center for Architecture
AIA New York and the Center for Architecture’s annual gala, Heritage Ball, gathered more than 1,000 professionals from the architecture, engineering, construction, and real estate industries to raise nearly $1.4 million. Serving as the single largest funding source for the AIA New York and Center for Architecture, the event last week at Chelsea Piers’ Pier Sixty celebrated New Yorkers who demonstrate leadership, vision, and commitment to projects and initiatives that contribute to New York City’s status as a global design capital. This year’s honorees were Steven Holl Architects; Phyllis Lambert, FRAIC, Hon. FAIA, Hon. FRIBA; and Sharon Prince and Grace Farms.
The 2019 President’s Award recipient, Steven Holl Architects, was honored for realizing iconic and highly concept-driven designs with tremendous sensitivity to context. At the event, AIANY 2019 President Hayes Slade, AIA, said of firm founder Steven Holl: “His projects catalyze institutions and communities. He continually challenges design thinking both through his built projects as well as the dialogue he inspires.”
Phyllis Lambert, Phyllis Lambert, FRAIC, Hon. FAIA, Hon. FRIBA, was the recipient of the Center for Architecture Award for her lasting architectural contributions to New York City, namely through the Seagram Building, and for setting the platinum standard for institution building with the creation of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. “It is not buildings and collections that make Phyllis the ideal recipient for this award,” said Center for Architecture President Barry Bergdoll, Hon. AIANY, “rather, it is her devotion to people and community, meaning as much the people as the houses of Milton Park, the quality of the architecture in Vieux Montreal where she lives, or her continued civic activism. And the CCA is a community: a community for a community, at once raising the level of discourse on architecture for Montréal, for Quebec, for Canada.”
The organization bestowed Sharon Prince and Grace Farms with the NYC Visionary Award for raising the visibility of architecture and culture by using the transformative power of design to further the foundation’s mission to do good in the world. “Sharon sensed very early on that visitors to Grace Farms would be transformed by that free-flowing circulation and inspired to engage in the Foundation’s five initiatives; Nature, Arts, Justice, Community and Faith,” said Andy Klemmer, Heritage Ball dinner co-chair.
In appreciation of their significant contributions towards design excellence, AIA New York and Center for Architecture invited each award recipient to select an academic program to receive scholarships for one of its students. The following students were chosen by their respective programs:
Helmuth Rosales – Cooper Union, receiving a scholarship in honor of Steven Holl Architects.
Andrew Keung – Columbia University GSAPP, receiving a scholarship in honor of Phyllis Lambert.
Isabela Campillo Valencia – Pratt Institute, receiving a scholarship in honor of Sharon Prince and Grace Farms.
Thank you to all who joined us at Heritage Ball 2019 and for helping us carry out our mission to show that design matters! Your contributions enable our everyday operations as well as help grow our dynamic and ambitious exhibition and K-12 programs.