NRI, AIA Announce Plans to Promote Architecture in New York

Press Release issued this morning .....

NRI sponsors AIA Activities, Exhibitions Featuring Local Professionals

NEW YORK — Oct. 19, 2011 — National Reprographics Inc. and the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter are supporting the further growth and development of the architecture and construction industry in New York.

The two organizations announced that NRI will sponsor the 2011 Party@theCenter, the official after-party for the annual AIANY Heritage Ball on Oct. 27. In addition, NRI will provide a three-year sponsorship for the AIANY annual New Practices competition and exhibition, which promotes exceptional work of new architectural firms in New York City.

“The long-standing support we receive from NRI helps us recognize and celebrate excellence in architectural design,” said Rick Bell, executive director of the AIANY. “Involvement from organizations like NRI helps us further the growth of the architecture and construction industries in New York.”

The Heritage Ball is an annual black-tie fund-raising event for the AIA New York Chapter, the Center for Architecture, and the Center for Architecture Foundation. The ball honors the rich architectural heritage of New York City and celebrates the architects and organizations and professionals from related industries that support design excellence in New York. The event attracts over 1,200 people.

The Party@theCenter, sponsored by NRI, is the official after-party for all Heritage Ball attendees. Held at the Center for Architecture, the Party@theCenter allows additional time for architects and other design and construction professionals who attended the Ball to socialize and celebrate.

“NRI’s sponsorship of the Party@theCenter makes it possible for the people in the architecture and construction community to come together in a relaxed atmosphere and celebrate our growth and success,” said Bell.

“We’re thrilled to support the AIANY and the Center for Architecture by sponsoring the Party@theCenter and the Faces of AIA exhibit,” said Doug Magid, president of NRI. “We have a century-long relationship with AIANY to support continued architectural excellence in New York and around the country. In addition, our sponsorship of the New Practices annual competition and exhibition demonstrates our commitment to new ideas and innovation in architecture and construction.”

Each year, the New Practices Committee of the AIA New York Chapter conducts a juried portfolio competition and exhibition for emerging architectural firms within the five boroughs of New York. The competition recognizes outstanding design and best practices, promoting young and emerging talent in the field of architecture. NRI is an underwriter of the New Practices competition and exhibition for the next three years.

“NRI is committed to the long-term development of architecture and construction in our city,” said Magid. “We’ve been here since 1898, so we’ve seen a lot of growth in this city and this industry. We want to help drive the growth for the next 100 years, too.”

The Heritage Ball will be held Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. The Party@theCenter is held immediately following the ball from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Center for Architecture. For more information and tickets to the event, visit the AIA New York Chapter website at www.aiany.org/heritageball.

The next New Practices competition is scheduled for July 2012. Information will be available at www.aiany.org soon.