Event Description
How can landmarked historic buildings be sensitively transformed into high-performing, energy-efficient buildings, prepared for the next century? We look to the renovation of the landmarked Rubin Hall, a New York University student residence that will be one of the largest Passive House EnerPHit certified residential buildings in the world. Learn how this project serves as a model for the decarbonization of existing building stock across the country, and how the team addressed challenges related to historic preservation, deep-energy retrofits of existing buildings, and installing new all-electric mechanical systems.
Speaker
Michael Syracuse, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Partner, FXCollaborative
Moderator: Steven Miller, FAIA, RIBA, College of Fellows Representative, AIA International, AIA Intl Spring Conference Co-Chair
CES: Estimated 1 LU/ HSW for AIA Members
Speaker Bios
Michael Syracuse, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a Partner at FXCollaborative. His work on programmatically driven performing arts, higher education, medical education, workplace, and commercial projects—both new construction and adaptive reuse—starts at a project’s inception and carries through construction and occupancy. Michael is driven by the unique culture of each client, combining craft, constructability, and environmental responsibility to support a client’s mission. Michael’s work has encompassed some of New York City’s premiere educational and cultural institutions, including New York University, Juilliard School, Columbia University, and the Brooklyn Friends School. In addition to his architectural work, he stays connected to academia through his support of Rensselaer’s Integrated Design Development studio, offering office and project tours, and serving as a guest reviewer to give students insight into the professional practice of architecture.
Moderator: Steven Miller had his international planning and architectural firm since 1987 in Prague, London, Dubai, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From 2005 he has worked with Kohn Pedersen Fox, Perkins Eastman, and FXCollaborative as their Middle East and North African Manager as well as Business Development Sr. Vice President for Shapooji Pallonji International a billion dollar design-build Indian company.
He is a member of the International division of (NAAB) National Architectural Accreditation Board for International University Certification, present and past 2016-2018, 2022-2024 Representative to the College of Fellows for AIA International, Past Regional Representative for AIA International to the Strategic Council of the AIA, Past Chairman of the Honorary Fellows jury, past President and member of the Continental Europe Chapter of the AIA, Founder and past Board member of the Middle East Chapter of the AIA, a Founder and past Board member of the International Region of the AIA, and past Chairman of the International Professional Committee Advisory Group to the AIA.
His educational activities include Adjunct Professor at University of Miami’s School of Architecture’s Graduate Real Estate Development + Urbanism, lecturer on World Hotel Design and Development, University of Rome (historical and sustainable adaptive re-use of structures and urbanism as well as Hospitality planning), Charles University, Prague (contemporary design in a historical context), Cornell University (hotel and resort development, planning and design), and the Colorado University (leisure design using existing unique land opportunities).
