An American's Journey in Pakistan

Click image above to access article on the American Pakistan Foundation website.

Fund A Ticket to Freedom

Imagine being locked up in a cold, concrete cell- a cage of confusion. Silenced by strangers and held fully accountable for unspeakable actions. This is the unfortunate reality of 16 years for Adnan Syed, now 34, accused of murdering former girlfriend Hae Min Lee back in 1999. The launch of Serial, a national podcast, has disrupted the long silence and highlighted critical flaws: to this day, no physical evidence has linked Adnan to the crime. Serial also brought to light wavering testimony from the prosecution team, faulty forensics investigations, and a failure to bring forth key witnesses and testimony. Consequently, a new wave of 'Free Adnan' supporters has arisen across the country and around the world.

New York City based supporters are launching a fundraiser April 19th at The Parlour in upperManhattan and invite you to become a part of the #FreeAdnan rally. 100% of funds will go towards Adnan’s rising defense costs. Saad Chaudry, Adnan’s best friend who was featured on the Serial podcast, will be at the event to speak! Live music, refreshments, and networking will accompany a larger message: the search for criminal justice. Attorney Rabia Chaudry, who has spearheaded Adnan’s defense campaign, urges you to join the efforts. “Millions were moved by Serial and Adnan's story, but we need more than hearts moved - we need tangible support to deliver him the justice he deserves. Adnan has been in prison since the age of 17 and has waited for justice for 16 years. Your monetary gift will help us cover the costs of a thorough investigation and legal fees, help exonerate an innocent man, and reunite a shattered family."

Fundraiser organizers Jia Wertz and Marion Loguidice want to raise awareness of Adnan’s story and illustrate that this is just one wrongful case of many. They want to uphold the “moral responsibility of fighting against these injustices” and encourage the public to engage in this social cause. To “keep this story alive” and “keep the conversation going collectively” Marion says we can share Adnan’s story with others and unveil the tragedy of over 100,000 innocent sitting in jail in the United States.

With the highest incarceration rate in the world, and known precedents of evidence fabrication and exculpatory evidence, the United States court system has wrongfully placed innocent beings in prison for years and even decades on end. “Adnan still sits in a maximum security prison today,” says Jia. “How can one fathom being both innocent and locked up?” With this fundraiser, “we can raise money for Adnan’s trust fund, bring awareness, and show the public that there are many ways to aid this cause.”

Give Adnan a voice. For those who cannot attend but still want to support the cause, you can rock a “Free Adnan” t-shirt. Check out event ticket information and Studio 15’s apparel below.

- To purchase your event ticket, visit https://freeadnanconcert.eventbrite.com. *For those who cannot attend, you can make a donation at this link as well! Remember, 100% of funds go towards this cause.

- To request information on the fundraiser and future events, contact Jia Wertz(jiawertz@live.com) or Marion Loguidice (marionsmusic@optonline.net).

- To purchase a T-shirt, visit:

Men’s: http://www.shopstudio15.com/free-adnan-men-s-t-shirt

Women's: http://www.shopstudio15.com/free-adnan-tee

Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015

The Architectural Digest Home Design Show was a visual treat for my eyes! The options were endless, the creativity inspiring, and the craft alive. While I would honestly admit the show was more 'commercial' than preferred- there were many imitated trends and replicas- I managed to find true ingenuity in one-of-a-kind, almost 'lost' handiwork.. specialized design that one would not always find marketed so gaudily, but rather humbly displayed. Check out my article at Proud Green Home and scroll below to see photo gallery of show.

As a 'green' advocate, I've written my report on residential wood products, which you can check out at Proud Green Home magazine, by clicking here.

Spotted at the show... Jonathan and Drew Scott of HGTV's Property Brothers!

There were many other products in various categories which I decided I needed to include here. The following products have at least one facet which I felt were truly design-worthy. Bravo to all the designers, craftsmen, and manufacturer representatives who exhibited!

Here are some other products that caught my eye:

- Wonderwall Studios' wide array of exotic wooden walls merge with unique textures for different appearances. The varied 3-D patterns really 'pop' and are an exquisite finish for any space!

-Give your kitchen a retro feel: your refrigerator will literally become a magnet of attention, thanks to Big Chill. On display were vivacious pink, blue, green, and plaid tones. Fume hood, cooktop and oven combinations, some of which are Energy-Star rated, are also available in industrial finishes. 

-JM Lifestyles’ furniture will fool you. The texture of their wood-form will have you doing a double take when you realize that their primarily material is actually concrete! The smooth finish, non-porous and stain-resistant properties of concrete are indeed ideal for kitchen and bathroom areas. Their massive pieces serve to make a statement. On display was a beautifully crafted concrete table with a central water-filled depression, and floating candles to set the mood!

-Martha Sturdy’s home furniture and accessories utilize a playful integration of brass and resin to achieve their elegant pieces. Dark tones of resin, a non-porous and smooth-to-the-touch surface, complement brass nicely to provide a classy and sophisticated style for your home.

-There was no shortage of lighting fixtures at the show. A common trend at the show was tubular lighting. James Dieter has created a flexible, transformable structure that allows for tube lighting in different configurations, and for light to be dispersed in several ways.

- Amongst the big commercial corporations were a treat of independent artists who not only represented their products, but also engaged in the craft themselves! Heather Kocsis creates 3D wood-work paintings that are very accurate, scaled, and detailed depictions of real world settings. These pieces will easily transport you to another world as they are creatively vivid places etched in wood.

-Kino Guerin’s sculpted wooden seating & wall pieces are well crafted. Elegantly curved pieces of wood- I know personally that curving wood is very, very tricky!- create floating space-efficient storage nooks on your wall. Similar styles create playful seating.

-Apropos Furniture has a wonderful Darcy Bed suited for NY apartments. The built in storage compartment is ideal and space-efficient! Simply lift your bed up, to find a fabric-finished storage whose surface finish can be customized to your desire. Deeper frames allow for more recessed storage.

Click each photo below to scroll through PHOTO GALLERY.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Shrien Dewani. Amanda Knox. Adnan Syed. They hail from different walks of life, but a single correlation connects the three: they have been tormented by the trials and tribulations of the court of law. Scant justice overshadowed by the eye of evil- the power of persuasion through simple storytelling in court.

I've always held an intriguing curiosity for criminal justice... while it initially stemmed from watching fascinating criminal shows on television (ie America's Most Wanted) an alternate facet fixated my interest. After studying Forensics in high school and personally following high-profile cases, I learned of an increasingly popular discourse- exonerations that DO occur in the United States for the innocent, thanks to advanced DNA testing, further highlighted by the Innocence Project. By the way, it's a great cause and I urge you to check it out. Criminal law practitioners... check it out and become familiar with it!

I've also developed a strong riposte to the critics who affiliate guilt to any of the above three names- do not base your verdicts on emotions, eschewing presented evidence. Examine rock-hard evidence, look at patterns of behavior. Of course, I'm not a lawyer or investigator. However many legal experts would agree that, in each of these cases, a horrid caricature was concocted BY prosecution... an exaggeration that does not boil down to the basic ingredients the case began with!

It is in my firm opinion that all three are truly innocent of the crimes they were accused and convicted of. Court transcripts, documentaries, interviews, research studies, podcasts.. I've pored hours into analyzing whatever has been made publicly available, whatever I could grasp for each of the three cases, from the perspectives of both the defense and prosecution teams. Read on below for a brief synopsis.

In 2010, Shrien Dewani was accused of murdering his wife Anni Hindocha on their honeymoon trip in South Africa. Four years after the murder took place, in December of 2014, courts ruled there was not enough evidence to place a conviction on Shrien. It is true, there is not a single ounce that would tie Shrien to Anni's murder. What that translated to for the Dewanis were four years of torturous extradition hearings- a terrible living nightmare Shrien and his family had to ride around in, mourning the death of Anni and answering to the public's outcries of guilt. 

This year, the coroner continues investigation into Anni's death and Shrien will most likely have to answer in a public questioning.

My belief? The newlywed Dewanis were targeted as a wealthy couple while vacationing and unfortunately were the pinpoint of a robbery gone awry. This documentary provides eye-opening insight into Dewani's innocence.

In 2007, Amanda Knox supposedly killed her roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy, while studying abroad. The murderer, a man with a criminal background, was caught and jailed. Italy prosecuters have boldly claimed that Amanda supposedly 'took part' in facilitating Kercher's death. That same year, Amanda was sent to jail for four years, after which she was finally acquitted. However, the nightmare did not end. In January 2014, a higher court in Italy convicted her.

This year, Amanda is set to return to Italy this year for an appeals hearing. It will then be decided whether another trial will launch for the killing of Kercher.

My belief? Amanda Knox found her roommate dead and Italian courts lumped together pieces of her personal life in Italy to essentially fabricate a motive for the crime.

In 1999, Adnan Syed was convicted of murdering ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, with no evidence directly linking him to the crime. The reason? A poor defense team and a prosecution who used racist tactics to drive the jury, based on a fabricated painting of the scene. The man who testified against Adnan, Jay Wilds, has changed his story three times.

My belief? Jay Wilds was rehearsed by investigators, and there is plenty of evidence to support this, believe it or not. Those who know me, know how strongly I believe that Adnan was victimized and received an unfair trial. I could go on and on about the numerous visible and hidden layers of this case, but I urge you to check out the Serial podcast. If you can't get enough, visit the blog of the woman who has launched the biggest awareness campaign for his case. Adnan's case has become a national 'phenomenon' thanks to the podcast Serial, which detailed the case week by week. It even includes recorded phone calls directly from prison, as well as key witnesses who were not asked to testify in trial! The podcast has been a useful social legal tool- it raised useful theories, spurred independent investigations across the country from listeners, and uncovered new evidence! 

Adnan has been locked up for sixteen years, he is now a 33 year old man. This year, Adnan was granted a motion to appeal his case. I wrote to Adnan last month and received a heartwarming and thoughtful reply the day before this update. This Spring, a NYC fundraiser to help his legal defense costs, will take place. I hope to see you there! Check it out here. If you can't attend, then you can donate and sign the petition for his innocence. Remember, mass public attention has helped bring a once languishing case to a newly revived state, so be a part of the cause. 

2014

2014: The year I launched this website, my personal treasure of recollections, resources, and records.

As a journalist, artist and real sentimentalist, I have thoroughly enjoyed expanding my digital archive! I hope you have found my references and musings informative, inspiring, or at the very least, intriguing. Through farahnazahmad.com, I have tried to capture those people and places that propelled passion and provoked emotion! Figures who influenced my mind, faces so warm and kind, feelings oh so divine....! 

2014, you reached into my soul and enlightened a piece of my being to the wonders of the world. You preached that success = living a dream!

2014, you expanded my horizons beyond my career, to understand the social, cultural, economic, and political context of the world I breathe and work in!

2014, here are my top ten highlights! THANK YOU for these opportunities.

1) The opportunity to fundraise for charity:water.

Thanks to my family, friends, colleagues, a few anonymous strangers + the power of social media, my initial goal was more than doubled.. at a whopping total of $2400+. All to support the development of water infrastructure in Ethiopia. Click here to view the campaign results. 

(Do yourself a favor- take three minutes of your time to watch this video and learn about the global water crisis. I promise, you won't regret it).

2) Language and music

The excitement of expanding my Spanish and Russian language skills, as well as spending time on my music producing (FL Studio) and guitar hobbies. But, next year, I promise I'll be even more fluent and more musical!

3) Connecting with the Pakistani community

Through involvement in the American Pakistan Foundation, I interviewed Nafis Sadik and Cynthia Ritchie, pioneers of the Pakistani spirit, with the chance to meet both in New York. These women were born to lead! #inspiration

Pakathon 2014 was brilliantly motivating- young entrepreneurs taking the leading edge to further develop innovative platforms for Pakistan. 

4) Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) Launch at New York's Asia Society

Seeing and hearing a historical figure... whose name I had only read in textbooks- Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, delivered brilliant responses to the moderator. Meeting and speaking with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was a real honor, too. Read about the experience here.

5) The 2014 Social Good Summit

A convening of professionals and leaders to establish one commitment: simply make the world a better place.

I met Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof, who even autographed my copy of 'A Path Appears.' I highly recommend this read, as it has influenced me to 'give back!' Power celebrities who have committed to social good through their ventures participated in panels or presented. Amongst those I was honored to hear speak were: Michael Dell, Juju Chang (ABC News correspondent), Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Connie Britton, Melinda Gates, Richard Curtis, and more.

It was also truly memorable when Alicia Keys took the stage with her piano, preached and sang why "We Are Here", and pledged $1 million for social good!

Read more here.

6) 500 Days of Action at the United Nations

..to hear U.S. Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon and Malala Yousafzai. Read about my experience here!

7) Becoming A World At School Global Youth Ambassador

Getting involved in the cause of education and connecting with other passionate peers around the world. 

8) FIFA world cup

The absolute thrill of the FIFA World Cup and the sense of community it established everywhere! The USMNT made me absolutely proud with their brilliant performance! #1n1t #onenationoneteam #Ibelieve

9) becoming a green building professional

These credentials broadened my framework of green building design and construction. Read about my journey here.

10) The return of the Solar RoofPod

...back to The City College of New York campus. The Solar RoofPod, our 2011 entry for the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, beautifully rests atop The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. Read about the Roofpod's return here.

The Gift of H2O #water1215

Nearly one billion people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water. It's time to play a role in this crisis.

Click here to watch this quick 3 minute video to learn about this crisis. If this doesn't break your heart, I don't know what will. Help out your fellow members of humanity, and at least get informed. This impacts so many corners of the globe, its hard for us to ignore it.

charity : water

charity : water is a nonprofit organization that has funded over 13,000 water projects in 22 countries, in Africa, Asia, Central and South America.

charity : water  works "with more than 22 implementing partners around the world to assess and determine areas and communities in need of clean water and sanitation. We choose the countries where we work based on water scarcity, poverty, political stability -- and the availability of strong local organizations in which we can partner with for major change. charity: water can’t accommodate requests from donors to work in certain countries. We honor the chance to be good stewards of your fundraising efforts – and we take it very seriously. You can be sure that 100% of the money you give or raise will go to a community that’s very much in need."

where will my donation go?

Ethiopia

My particular campaign will fund a project in Ethiopia.

As charity:water explained to me, my campaign is part of Keurig Green Mountain's (KGM) "matching initiative that will help fund water projects in Ethiopia."

In other words, whatever donation you make will be matched by KGM, thereby helping you double your impact. Ex: Your $25 donation will actually be a $50 donation!

See where charity: water currently works here > http://www.charitywater.org/projects/projects.php

how much can I donate?

ANY amount- no matter how big or small- helps! 

can I view the impact of my donation?

Yes. As of October 2014, the estimated timeline for charity:water's partners to complete the projects and report back to charity:water (and thus for charity:water to report back to ME) is 21 months. So in 21 months, I will send each of you a complete report about the projects that were implemented to provide clean water, as well as the exact location.

my campaign

This year, I turn the big 2-5, Quarter of A Century. After attending the United Nations Social Good Summit in New York City, my 'activist' persona was inspired. Moreover, as an Environmentalist, I cringed at all the water being dumped during the Ice Bucket Challenge. A thought sparked. For every ounce of water dropped, why couldn't we also utilize social media to donate wasted water to those who REALLY do not have it?

I also had the opportunity to meet journlists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. After meeting them and purchasing a personalized copy of their book, A Path Appears (I was stoked!) I learned about charity:water. After doing more research about charity: water and its extensive field work, I am inspired to tap into my network- each and every one of you. We can end 2014 knowing that we MADE a difference.

I recently learned that millions of kids around the world don't live to see their fifth birthday because they don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. We can help change that. So, for my 25th birthday this year, instead of birthday gifts, I'm asking for you to donate to this cause. Every penny of the money raised will directly fund clean water projects in developing countries. Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 21 months). That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we helped.

Help me reach my goal by my birthday, December 15th. Please donate to my birthday campaign- give the gift of water!

In one minute and a few clicks, you can donate to my birthday campaign and give the gift of H2O by clicking here

Pakathon 2014

It's always great to bring together critical and cunning minds to the roots of a greater cause. Pakathon 2014 takes on this dynamic challenge by fostering sustainable development initiatives for Pakistan, and I was thrilled to attend its launch in New York City. Pakathon is a ‘hackathon’-style event, in which a large number of people meet to discuss and focus their ideas. Their mission? To help the “entrepreneurship ecosystem” of Pakistan through a collaboration of participants and mentors.

Pakathon NYC is one of sixteen cities around the world taking part in the global Pakathon, a three day venture that asks entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and more to brainstorm and hash out their innovative ideas to serve the greater good of Pakistan by tackling its social issues. Teams essentially compete for prizes of upto $10,000 that will help them launch their idea into practical business plans, while receiving the guidance that allow them to shape their approaches and solutions.

On the third and last day, teams present their pitches to the panel. Judges and mentors of Pakathon hail from different backgrounds, creating a fascinating interdisciplinary environment. It also allows social entrepreneurs and the global Pakistani community to share their areas of expertise. Judges for this year’s New York City Pakathon include Batool Hassan, Tina Israni, and Yusuf Jan. These are all Directors and/or Principals of successful entrepreneurial experiences whose insight is critical for this year’s teams.

#PakathonNYC took place at New York University, with teams focused on one of five tracks: health, education, retail, human rights, and finance.  Zack Brisson, of Reboot, provided a compelling presentation about designing technology for social impact, for the first night. During the three days, 40 intense hours of hard work culminate into the finished products of the teams.

There was no lack of ingenuity and ambition in New York City’s Pakathon. Educational ideas ranged from a programmatic approach for translating Urdu text to English, to self-learning systems for tablets and a mobile platform for gender equality education. Other technological concepts that incorporated public health explored a smart stethoscope that eliminates manual data entry, a platform for professional medical collaboration, and an SMS-based medical prescription compliance service. Also found amongst the roundtable discussions were the implementation of a car ride service with female drivers for female passengers, as well as an alternative credit scoring system for financial inclusion.

Many thanks to this year’s Community Partners: American Pakistan Foundation, Indiegrove, NY Acumen, Open New York, Pakistani Students Association at NYU, The Citizens Foundation-USA as well as this year’s Sponsors- Desi Shack, General Assembly, Impact Hub NYC, Insomnia Cookies, Lyft, Soho Tiffin Junction, and Symtera Analytics. Thank you also goes to the dozens of individuals who donated their time, talent, and finances, as well as the organizers of the event: Ali Chaudhry, Amna Khawar, Hamdan Azhar, Hamed Ijaz, Hassan Ahmed, Minza Zahid, and Safwan Ghori.

For more information on the upcoming global judging in Boston on October 11th, check out: http://www.pakathon.org/ In the meantime, follow updates at: https://twitter.com/PakathonNYC.

American Pakistan Foundation

I wanted to share my account of several seminars I attended in New York City during my commitment to the American Pakistan Foundation. Click the below image to learn about some awesome organizations that are broadcasting their causes!

Climate Change Isn’t Coming… It’s Here

As an Architect and Activist, I felt the heat of the flames surrounding the hot topic of Climate Change at the 2014 Social Good Summit. The Environment is a subject that impacts us all, whether you wish to face it or not. For all the critics, or to those who simply pretend that it doesn’t exist, tree-huggers like me aren’t the only ones harassing you. The weather patterns and subsequent natural disasters of the last four years are attesting to you that we are destroying our planet at an exponential rate with dangerous consequences. Experts at this year’s Summit unanimously agreed on this subject.

“Science is telling us we are running out of time,” says Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, Achim Steiner. What can and will happen within a century if we continue our current behavior towards the environment, he says, is beyond our imagination. Seth Schultz, one of several Directors at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, has however, seen progress. C40 works with cities to identify and mitigate climate risks, and maintains a database of information provided by cities, that details their progress towards climate change. Schultz has witnessed through the program that the amount of effort that cities are placing, to alleviate such dangers, have doubled.

Personally, I was relieved to see the ‘social good’ in several business initiatives.  Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme, had a vision to make low carbon, renewable fuels. In today’s technology-fascinated world, he used innovation to create sustainable oil derived from microalgae. Michael Dell also conveyed how Dell products are created with the conscious awareness of their energy consumption, as well as the 100% recyclability of its packaging materials.

In order for change to happen, EVERYONE needs to get involved in some shape or form, even if it is as simple as becoming aware of your carbon footprint and accompanying consumption patterns.  Andrew Freedman, Senior Climate Reporter for Mashable, joked about the United Nations Climate Summit this week, questioning how every expert fit into one room at the United Nations. However, I find this to be a hopeful statement, as it is clear everyone wants to get involved in the conversation to create some action! This was simply not the case a decade ago.

Niall Dunne, Chief Sustainability Officer of BT Group, boldly asserted at the Summit that ‘Sustainability Needs a Makeover’ and I could not agree more! We have to change the way we think about going green. I do not believe we need to expend more time, money and energy in developing tools. The technology exists. Rather, we need to recognize our current attitude, begin implementing existing solutions, and applying it in a larger scale. We need to start expecting “sustainability to be the new normal,” insisted Dunne.  Our “conspicuous consumption” he says, needs a shift in order to abate carbon emission.

As heard during the #2030 NOW conversation, “Nature doesn’t need people. People need nature.” So it is time to start giving it the respect it deserves. Environmental Activist Kumi Naidoo declared at the Summit , “The time for words are over.” We need to act now, and, I believe, plan for the short-term, in order to positively impact the long-term.

Click each image below to scroll through gallery.

What is Social Good?

I’ve been shaken and awakened, as flashes of light flooded into my eyes today, and booming voices bursted through my eardrums. As a 2014 Social Good Summit Blogger Fellow for the United Nations Association, I had an amazing opportunity to play a part in United Nations history this week!  You see, this week the United Nations is host to the General Assembly, the Climate Summit, and more. These events comprise a larger trend- to coerce conversation and raise a response on social reform issues that require humanity’s attention. The 2014 Social Good Summit kicked off the movement, that I am completely confident sure will continue throughout the coming year.

What is ‘Social Good?’ To me, social good is the application of our inherent cores and values- those that are not influenced by external factors, such as a monetary greed and gain. I believe that in a corporate model, social good is a responsibility held by individuals or entire enterprises.  Social good in the business world, through our everyday careers, would simply make the world a much better place to live and thrive in. How can we achieve this? As Musician Pharrell Williams viral video ‘Happy’ indicates, setting a good example entails “scaling back on judgment and placing more emphasis on intention.” I firmly believe successfully transferring such ‘morality’ -without viewing the financial gain as a preliminary goal, but as a result- can propel social good forward.

The Social Good Summit was about highlighting the achievements of successful key players in social reform. My personal faith in humanity, in a seemingly money-hungry corporate world, was quite literally restored after today! The summit was also about finding common ground, to share solutions. As Pharrell concluded, “We have to find a connective tissue if we are going to be one body.” The Social Good Summit was the perfect forum for us to do so, to discuss our differences on one platform and understand each other’s point of view for the greater common good.

There was a tremendous display of ‘social good’ on Sunday, September 21st. It manifested itself in the powerful voice of leaders and activists, and in the wide range of social corporate responsibility policies that were presented.

Social Good was transparent in the mindsets of several speakers. Humanitarian and Mozambican leader Graca Machel swept me away with her thoughts. She took a clear stance on women’s rights, explaining that this issue has sadly taken a second stage in worldly affairs, and that it is necessary for critics to look at the “value ofa girl.” Speaking on poverty, Graca urged us to revisit what ‘no one left behind’ truly means and to really map out the areas in need of help, down to the micro-level of community. Perhaps Graca’s most profound attitude in human mindset was that of our ability to create tradition. “Traditions are manmade. We need to dismantle this manmade device.” Such a subjective statement should be left to your own interpretation. Dr. Donald Hopkins, Director of Health Programs at The Carter Center also provided inspiring insight- “We must ourselves not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good [in making progress].” In stating so, Hopkins pushes us to achieve a measure far beyond what our imagination believes is possible.

Social Good was highly visible through action, in business model. Director and Producer Lekha Singh, stated “In the darkest moments you see the most light.” Through her film, ‘Beyond Right and Wrong,’ she utilizes visual media to capture the ‘human’ in all of us by creating a connection we can all relate to. She taps into the strings of our heart to convey a message about social justice through the power of storytelling. Academic and University Administrator, Michael Roth’s course “How to Change The World” shows us social good through activism. He questions, how can we, on the basis of education, learn to change the world? “We go to college to set our hearts aflame. When you learn, you learn how to make the world alive.” In other words, we gain an education not simply to consume information, but to understand why we should care about what matters most.

So I simply ask of my peers, can we each take our college degrees and make a vow to commit to some form of social good? It can be related to our fields of study, or it can simply be a cause that sparks our passion. After all, as the summit proves, a little social good can go a very long way!

Click each image below to scroll through gallery.

500 Days of Action

On a clear and sunny day, I followed the buzz of chatter swarming the air on the edge of Manhattan's east coast. My sense of purpose perked slightly as I walked towards a line that was forming in front of the revered United Nations building. I quickly found my colleague, Jocelyne, surrounded by dozens of youth, all of whom were anticipating the event to follow in just minutes. After all, Malala Yousafzai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were in the house, and well, who wouldn't be stoked?

I had never stepped foot into the United Nations, and as an architect and volunteer for the American Pakistan Foundation, I have become incredibly wrapped up in social reform and simply learning more about the politics of culture around me! So what better way than to join my peers in the conversation and spark the inspiration necessary to contribute to society? 

You see, beyond the parameters of my office cubicle, I feel an urgency to reconnect with the world- to step outside the boundaries of a standard architect, and gain a sense of real world issues. Consequently, as an architect, I can become better equipped to design for others! Why should I have the responsibility to enhance living spaces if I cannot grasp the quality of life?

I'll just say it boldly- I don't have any interest in becoming a starchitect, I want to work for the people. The number of people living under the poverty threshold? Absolutely unbearable. As Ban Ki-moon stressed soon after his arrival, and which I carefully noted, “Many people have passion, but not many have compassion for others.”

Those next two hours were certainly captivating, as Malala Yousafzai shared her journey of the last year. Malala, who stood upto Taliban’s gunpoint in 2012 in order to demand a school education, narrated her recent ventures to combat global ignorance. Ban Ki-moon also declared his support for the 500 youth in the room, including Malala. He urged us all to act. Both declared the priority of education as governmental priority! Malala’s zeal for education stems from her personal beliefs- she stated that she did not know she held rights. The simple act of knowing was inherently liberating.

Their accounts are part of a larger message- the Millenium Development Goals. This particular event marked the 500 remaining days to conquer this mission. The eight Millenium Development Goals were set forth at a UN summit in 2000 by world leaders, and mark a 15 year venture for education, health, women’s empowerment, environment, poverty, and more.

While acting out for the will of others may seem daunting, Ban Ki-moon urged that we should not trivialize our role. In fact, we each play an important role. Even he said, so simply and quickly, “I’m one of you.” Powerful few words, which show that one person’s actions can go a long way. We can each influence a community, a classroom, or a childhood friend.

Coming out of the conference, I was incredibly thrilled to see how many of my peers are involved in reform- critical thinking and questioning are key, to awaken the beast of change! I also look back upon my education and realize I can foster my formal training into basic necessities for humanity. I hope one day I will receive the chance to step away from the glamourized world of architecture in New York City and work on projects that will benefit the members of society who need it most.

As a side note, I must also add that Ban Ki-moon’s appeal to the environment awakened the ‘green’ in my soul! In fact, he even mentioned the United Nations Climate Change Summit Meeting, which will take place at the United Nations this September. Please join in the conversation if you are interested!

Click below to scroll further through gallery.

Photo credit: Jocelyne Jeannot

Tor Pekai Yousafzai

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Malala Yousafzai w/ ABC News Anchor & Ban Ki-Moon

Soccer and Sustainability Share the Spotlight

I truly enjoyed merging two passions!- soccer and sustainability- into an environmentally friendly legacy paved by FIFA World Cup 2014.

As an avid fan of soccer, I was completely mesmerized by the swift moves of the incredibly dedicated players, and swept away by the unity the game brings to international communities. As a young architect, I am always fascinated by the design and construction of the accompanying sports arenas.

Read on below!

http://www.proudgreenhome.com/blogs/soccer-and-sustainability-share-the-spotlight/

Champion of Choice

As an architect, I've always been most fascinated by the social policy and controversy of my profession. One cannot simply viewing the details through a magnifying lens without stepping back to get a view of the bigger picture. My guilty pleasure? Questioning everything around me. Its simple really, I just love learning about social revolution. As a female minority in my field, I look to others before me who have hit a few road bumps to progress and help lead the way for others...

When I first began reading Champion of Choice by Kathleen Miller, I had no idea what adventures I was about to traverse through. Who knew that one month later, I would have the opportunity, thanks to the American Pakistan Foundation, to meet and converse with this amazingly accomplished female leader. Click the image below to read on and become inspired by her feats!

ACE Mentor New York: Our Future is in Good Hands

There is nothing more heart-warming than witnessing the initiatives taken by students to grasp the practicalities of their current passion and future professions! Such was the scene at the NYU Kimmel Center for University Life this past Spring, May 27th. The ACE Mentor Program held one of a series of presentations, of which I had the pleasure and honor to serve as a juror for. Each year, ACE participants present the designs they have worked on throughout the course of their participation. I couldn't have been more thrilled to see the dedication of the confident youth who have pursued their dreams and received quite the pedagogical training through these projects.

As an ACE graduate myself, having participated in the Staten Island chapter of the program during my high school years, I recalled the delight of meeting a 'real' architect- one whose designs were taken off the drawing board and erected into an inhabitable building for the world to experience! Returning as an ACE Alumna, I was more than pleased to hear ACE students explaining the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) systems of their projects, the process they took to design their facades, the square footages they allocated to their spaces, the needs of the clients they would serve, sustainability and LEED project points, site selection, and much more! Four teams of the ACE New York chapter, spearheaded by their mentors- professionals of the building industry- captured the stages of architectural design, engineering, and construction, through interdisciplinary coordination, process in design development, and resourceful creativity. With their incredibly thoughtful presentations, it was easy, and honestly quite inspiring, to observe how much these students had grown through their ACE participation. It takes a mentor and an often immeasurable thirst for knowledge to spark a mind in the right direction, and these students possessed both tools!

For those of you who know young high school students interested in a career in the building industry, PLEASE recommend ACE to them, as it is an invaluable resource for learning the 'ins and outs' of this absolutely dynamic career path! I thank the students for showing us the drive you have to advance yourself in this industry! I am quite assured that the built environment of New York City is in safe hands!

Click below to scroll through gallery, photos courtesy of AECOM:

ArchPLUS- Solar Roofpod: Sustainable Living on a Roof

I was recently published in ArchPLUS, the Spring issue of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter (page 16), and I would like to share the digital version of the publication. Check it out here!, or click the image below to read the Spring issue.

Here I detail updates on the Solar Roofpod's return to The City College of New York campus and the hard work of its team in fundraising and awareness efforts.

CCNY Corner

Spring Rooftop Event '14

The City College of New York's Architecture Alumni Group proves its continued success in establishing a tight-knit of network of well known design and building industry professionals in and around New York City! 

The seasonal Alumni events always draw alumni of many different graduating years, ranging from recent grads to CCNY 'veterans'- those who return to the Upper Manhattan campus on numerous occasions to serve as mentors, and demonstrate their continued support for the City College Spitzer School of Architecture (SSA).

The Spring Rooftop event has become a tradition which subsequently allows the school community to celebrate the rooftop space of its newly-opened facility (2009), The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects.

In addition, the school's Solar Roofpod, The City College of New York's entry for the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in 2011, has returned to campus. The urban prototype, a solar-powered home, is now integrated beautifully on the rooftop of SSA. The home was made available for interior tours to event attendees.

Carol Kurth's Legacy

Carol Kurth, who ran the Architecture Alumni Group for many years, handed over the 'ropes' to new President Venesa Alicea, at the Spring event. Carol and Venesa have donated much of their time and resources to mentoring students, establishing networking opportunities, and obtaining CCNY's School of Architecture the recognition its talent deserves, amongst many other contributions. Says new President Venesa, "I'm looking forward to working with the 2014-2015 CCNY Architecture Alumni Board to strengthen the alumni network connection between all the programs offered through the CCNY Spitzer School of Architecture, and continuing to create & promote career development / networking / mentoring opportunities for alumni, and for students. We look forward to highlighting the amazing & diverse paths taken by City College graduates in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and beyond."

Carol's legacy has had a lasting impact on current students and former graduates. Her leadership in the AAG for the last eight years has been incredibly memorable. Says Carol proudly, "It has been a privilege to work with such an incredible, dedicated, and talented group of people! I truly have loved and cherished leading our Group over these many years and am so proud of all we have accomplished together.... here's to inspiration for future generations of Architecture Alumni!" 

So many of our Alumni, current Board members, and current faculty members had such amazing remarks about Carol, that it was difficult to exclude any of them.. these sentiments paint a clearer portrait of her character:

•   "A sincere thanks to Carol. A major step forward has been taken during your time as our active President."   
•  "Carol is a treasure and a hero in our eyes.. Words are not enough to thank you for your service and your devotion to your Alma Mater. We are in your debt." 
• "Thank you for your leadership these past years, it has truly been great to see the growth of the architecture alumni group over the years, and the growing relationship between the alumni, administration, faculty & students. We could not have done it without your steadfast dedication to the group.  With the relocation of the Solar Roof Pod on the roof, you have set a great example of the opportunities available when everyone works together with a common vision. We look forward to more successful years, and I thank you for leading and paving the way for us moving forward."
• "I admire your effective leadership. You really reinvigorated the organization and made it an important part of the CCNY community."
• "Carol, you're the very best in every which way. I feel proud and privileged to form part of this dedicated Group led by you and now by Venesa."   
• "..you generously gave your loyalty, knowledge, and enthusiasm to Alumni and students. As a result of your guidance on the board, we have a much deeper fellowship as Alumni and to City College. I personally learned a great deal from you, and your involvement with the City College Architecture Alumni has continually reminded me why this college is so great."
•  "We all thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism that has reinvigorated the alumni, setting up a strong base from which to continue it's growth and the expanding value it brings to its membership."
• "Carol, it is you who deserve the kudos for having been such an energetic and inspirational leader. Your dedication and selfless example has set a very positive pattern of continuity and support for our alma mater and all of the young and talented architects yet to come."
• "I can't begin to tell you how much you meant to the college and the alumni- Job well done!"
• "You were and remain an extraordinarily dedicated leader of our alumni group. You carry yourself with style and grace in everything you do."
• "You've had a profound impact on CCNY's chapter both 'on camera' and behind the scenes... all the personal mentoring you have done, and that which I have witnessed towards others, has inspired me to give back to SSA in my years to come! By helping to re-launch the AIA student chapter, heavily supporting the Solar Decathlon efforts, creating networking opportunities between ALL years, and establishing what has become a 'family' of graduates, you have accomplished something truly phenomenal that cannot be merely expressed in words... but only seen by the smiles of all those who re-visit CCNY at some of the many events you have helped to organize! Your time and commitment will be deeply valued for years to come, and your legacy upon the school greatly remembered. Thank you for your dedication and showing all of us students and emerging professionals the excitement of our profession and teaching us to appreciate the gifts we gained at The City College of New York!"

For more information on the CCNY Architecture Alumni Group (AAG) and the Spitzer School of Architecture, check out the below links:

Spitzer School of Architecture at CCNY

CCNY Architecture Alumni Group 

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Solar Roofpod Makes An Urban Comeback

Check out my piece on the return of the Solar Roofpod, the 2011 Solar Decathlon entry of The City College of New York, as published by Proud Green Home.

I can honestly say I can't be prouder of the CCNY community- thanks to The City College of New York's support, the Architecture Alumni Group of The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, Faculty Advisor Christian Volkmann who spearheaded the Pod's return, and major sponsors (many of whom initially helped us fundraise to get our project to Washington DC- http://ccnysolardecathlon.com/sponsors/) we have now re-installed our project back on campus, where it will serve as a prime example of urban, sustainable living.

Check out this link to view my article in full:

http://www.proudgreenhome.com/blogs/solar-roof-pod-update/

Sky High... Prices?

The Skyscraper's Museum exhibit SKY HIGH (& the logic of luxury) in New York City presents the recent proliferation of residential towers and their rise in Manhattan.

A Spring visit to Downtown New York's Skyscraper Museum left me with less hope for the city's chronic affordable housing dispute. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s future plan includes the preservation and construction of 200,000 affordable residential units, and an end to land distribution to ruthless developers who consume what little is left of New York City’s undeveloped space. SKY HIGH, the current exhibition running through mid-June, showcases the work of famed architects SHoP Architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Zaha Hadid Architects, Herzog and de Meuron, and Rafel Vinoly Architects amongst other esteemed companies.

How can we see the light of this vision through until the end of the tunnel, when gentrification rampantly roams our city streets? Gentrification has spurred a population migration, displacing those who can no longer afford already-high rents and implementing a wider social schism between the wealthy and poor. Moreover property values promote business competition and the ‘fame’ greedy developers and architects chase after, to build the city’s next admired marvel.

SKY HIGH is perhaps a prime example of the developers’ soaring ambitions to dominate the cityscape, a documentation of the recent propagation of super-slim towers. Featured in the exhibit are such projects as the Hudson Yards development, three of the 57th street towers- 432 Park Avenue, One57, and 111 West 57th Street- 56 Leonard tower of downtown Manhattan, and the Four Seasons at 30 Park Place. These modern super-slender structures seem to spiral seamlessly towards the sky, achieving 90+ stories of steel

            These towers may provide the glitz and glamour of luxurious living, undoubtedly with pretty panoramic views and a perch of privacy looking out to the glorious city. But with prices as high as $95 million for these ‘sky-rise penthouses’ wouldn’t you expect more than the issues that will undoubtedly rise for most of New York City’s denizens? Cost figures that we cannot attain in a lifetime of work… these resources are drained upon private spaces when nearly half of New York City’s populations spends over 30% of its income on its housing? What sort of lifestyle is New York City advocating by accepting such commissions on the territory of ‘opportunity for all’?

            The exhibit presents the most ‘famous’ of projects as revered objects of allure and appeal but fails to capture the history or preservation efforts of these sites. Indisputably tourists will appreciate the ‘ever-changing’ city with its attraction of the world’s most esteemed builders. What one may perceive SKY HIGH as the skillful engineering of such tall feats and the clever maneuvering around air-rights and other zoning regulations, I would call a deceitful manipulation of HUMAN rights and a game by real estate tycoons to scramble furiously to the ‘top’.

As a song lyric states, “You’ll never fly, if you’re too scared of the heights.”

Yes, I am afraid of the social consequences of New York City’s towering tremor. As a resident of New York City in this case, however, I would prefer to keep my feet firmly grounded to the real solutions of New York City’s housing crisis.

For more information on New York City, read the below sources:

http://www.billdeblasio.com/issues/affordable-housing

http://www.skyscraper.org

Click image below to scroll through gallery, photo credit: Moammar Sanchez.

Hudson Yards Development

Hudson Yards Development

Exhibition Model

56 Leonard, as featured in SKY HIGH

432 Park Avenue

My Road to Becoming a Green Building Professional

I have always been passionate in writing about the emerging, and simultaneously progressive, green building industry. Today, the USGBC published my story: the path to pursuing my green career passion! Thanks to USGBC, I have the opportunity to broadcast my story with thousands of other professionals around the world. I wanted to share my journey with you. 

http://www.usgbc.org/articles/my-story-becoming-green-professional

Governor's Cup Champions

For the last few months, students and professionals have been busy assembling 30,000 reclaimed plastic cups into a massive organic structure. Components of the structure are scattered throughout the space of CDR Studio, organized carefully by section. In this design studio of downtown Manhattan, volunteers have organized design efforts, an assembly schedule, a drive for materials collection, and a widespread fundraising campaign. Meetings and workshops are weekly highlights of the enthusiastic participants, setting targets for a pending deadline. What is the mission of these ambitious participants?

CDR Studio is the winner of the annual City of Dreams competition, a component of the public art festival FIGMENT, which will take place June 7-8 on Governor’s Island this Summer. The activity, hosted by participatory arts group FIGMENT, the Emerging New York Architect Committee (ENYA) of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY) is part of a larger event; FIGMENT is held in 13 cities in 3 countries, drawing thousands of participants around the world. In New York City, CDR Studio’s project was selected to be featured for the fourth annual pavilion competition by the three host organizations. The event will draw over 200,000 visitors and the project will be on display for four months.

CDR Studio’s values of “creativity, collaboration, and craft” are core design and construction concepts. Rehanna Rojiani, of CDR Studio, who worked extensively on the design and assembly team, explains the integration of teamwork and persistence that comprised the entire process. Mock-ups, testing, structural strategies, and installation logistics are just a few of the project components. However, the experience has been worth it for Rehanna and other team members. “There is a really wonderful sense that although we are designing something with a high degree of complexity it is completely accessible to anyone.”

Project logistics were no easy feat: 30,000 plastic reclaimed cups were diverted from the landfill and donated by institutions including WeWork, Google, and Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs. Depositories were also set up at public events and office spaces to expand collection efforts. Additionally, a Kickstarter fundraising campaign attracted over $14,000 and over 100 supporters! Funds have covered assembly, storage, transportation, and, have ensured maintenance of the project throughout its four month display.

The end product is the embodiment of the wise adage- “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The City of Dreams Pavilion competition calls for a net-zero design, and CDR Studio’s creative use of materials certainly presented an eco-conscious concept. The “transformed trash” is transformed into a public art installation of huge scale which will allow visitors an interactive experience- elements of light, shadow, movement and sound, enhanced by island harbor winds- will be sure to engage your senses! The structure will serve as an outdoor space for visitors and, as a shading prototype, holds potential for further application.

Their Governor’s Cup pavilion will be transported to Governor’s Island and assembled as part of the design-build experience in the coming month to be featured this Summer for public viewing. You can be a part of this collaborative effort too! Join the Governor’s Cup team today! In the meantime, be on a lookout for the next call for entries, for next year’s City of Dreams Pavilion! Want to become a part of this incredible effort? Get some amazing design-build experience and make some great friends in the process! Please reach out to David Flecha, at dflecha.arch@gmail.com! 

Quick Facts:

1- Sign up here, its quick and simple! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12A_qPoO80rXQMvJPqvjyK2Uzhc1pU_HL7LWgJM-8d_w/viewform

2- Anyone looking to gain IDP credit, can earn experience hours through volunteering for this project!

Click below image to scroll through image gallery.