The American Institute of Architects New Jersey Chapter Historic Archives Committee is proud to present an interview with influential architect Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA, NCARB, SARA, PP, CID. Mr. Cozzarelli, of Belleville, New Jersey, has over 40 years’ experience as a licensed architect. He has designed new and renovation type projects for federal, state, municipal and private clients providing services for new architecture, architectural interior design, construction administration and construction management, project-delivery, and forensic expertise.
His firm, Cozzarelli Cirminiello Architects, has a significant focus in Healthcare Architecture, Higher Educational, Government, Adaptive Reuse and Private sector projects. Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA, has devoted four decades of his professional life to leading the architectural profession through his involvement with The College of Fellows of The AIA, The American Institute of Architects (AIA), The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and The New Jersey State Board of Architects.
Robert had the honor of being elevated to Fellowship in 2019 to The College of Fellows of The American Institute of Architects for Object Three – Leadership. Of the nearly 100,000 AIA members, approximately 3% are recognized as Fellows. As a respected leader of his community, Robert completed significant work pro-bono for the local Chapter 22 of the Disabled American Veterans, helping the organization secure land (for one dollar) and negotiating union trade services to complete the building at no charge.
He was also responsible for introducing CANstruction to NJ. He created the AIA NJ Michael Graves Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize Graves as an AIA Gold Medal Recipient and for his contributions and subsequently to recognize the achievements of esteemed New Jersey architects.
Serving on the New Jersey State Board of Architects since 2017, Robert is working to create a sound footing for the profession by ensuring public safety. In 2017, he began representing New Jersey’s nearly 9,000 registered architects at NCARB. Robert had the honor, in 1974, of being accepted to Newark College of Engineering (NCE) – School of Architecture. Shortly thereafter NCE become known as New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Robert was part of the first class that was fully NAAB accredited and graduated with a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture. In April 2023, Robert was honored to be the first recipient of the NJIT/HCAD Distinguished Alumni in Leadership Award.