Prefabrication in Practice

The integration of design and construction of modular principals and prefabricated processes into the built environment has a long history, filled with successes as well as missed opportunities and setbacks. The AIANY Professional Practice Committee’s mission to demystify what typically obscures the practice of architecture and to address issues common to architectural practice in New York City affords the opportunity to review and discuss the state of the art in modular and prefabrication construction. Through dialogue and research, we seek to illuminate and share best practices in the profession, benefiting our member firms while nurturing the next generation of professionals.

Join us for this roundtable discussion with three prominent members of the AEC community involved with modular and prefabrication design and construction. The evening will consist of presentations by the guests followed by a roundtable question and answer session.

Speakers:
John Cerone, AIA, Associate Principal, SHoP Architects
Cerone is an Associate Principal who leads SHoP’s Virtual Design and Construction teams, including all technology visioning initiatives and the development of bespoke technology tools. John received a Master of Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Miami University. John is recognized internationally as a leader in exploring the future uses of technology in design and construction. He currently represents SHoP at the Design Futures Council, as well as leading our work with Dassault Systèmes as part of a transdisciplinary group that includes Boeing and Tesla. His work at SHoP includes a lead role in developing the technologies behind the success of the Barclays Center, the VDC-driven delivery of the Botswana Innovation Hub, and ongoing technology and exhibitions project at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York. Prior to joining SHoP, John contributed to the design of the Sand Gallery in New York, a Guggenheim exhibition in Vienna, the Akron Art Museum in Ohio, and the Peoria Performing Arts Center in Arizona

Keith Swenson, President, ModularDesign+
Keith Swenson serves as president of ModularDesign+, a national prefabrication company, distributing modularized solutions to the healthcare, higher education, and housing market segments. Swenson has more than 30 years of senior management and corporate leadership experience in prefabrication, manufacturing, and distribution of modular buildings throughout North America as well as several international markets.  With business development based on the principles of design build methodologies and of total team collaboration, Swenson will be instrumental in leading ModularDesign+ to fully explore all modular and prefabrication opportunities for the business and its clients.

Isaac-Daniel Astrachan, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Stephen B. Jacobs Group
Isaac-Daniel Astrachan has been with Stephen B. Jacobs Group since 1998 when he joined the firm as the project manager for Hotel Giraffe. Since then he has worked on many different hospitality and residential projects, including 325 Fifth Avenue, Edge in Williamsburg, 200 Lafayette Street, and Gansevoort Park Avenue Hotel. He has recently completed ALTA LIC, a 43-story residential tower in Long Island City, and citizenM NY Bowery Hotel, the tallest modular hotel in the world. Astrachan graduated from Columbia College in 1990 and received his Master of Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1995. Originally from the village of Gordes in the south of France and Detroit, Michigan, Astrachan resides in Battery Park City with his wife and son. He serves on the board of Downtown United Soccer Club and is a Pier 40 Champion.

Moderators:
Carisima Koenig, AIA, SVP, Cannon Design; Co-chair, AIANY Professional Practice Committee
Phillip Anzalone, AIA, Associate Professor, NYCCT; Co-chair, AIANY Professional Practice Committee

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