January 17, 2024

Outgoing President Ronald Weston, AIA, presents incoming President Brian W. Penschow, AIA, with his gavel. Photo Credit: Jay Mayer

Brian William Penschow, AIA, is Installed as AIA New Jersey 2024 President

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, NJ, among friends, family and colleagues, Brian William Penschow, AIA, was installed as the 2024 AIA New Jersey Chapter President. The ceremony was performed by Past Regional Director Michael Hanrahan, AIA. Outgoing President Ronald Weston, AIA, presented Penschow with his gavel. 

Brian’s daughters attended and were beaming with pride. 

Mr. Penschow thanked his supporters for attending and offered the following remarks,

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of AIA NJ,

Good evening! It’s an absolute honor to stand before you tonight as we embark on a journey into a year filled with promise and possibilities. I want to begin by expressing my gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in me as your incoming President. I am Brian William Penschow, an architect and specifications writer from Lincroft, New Jersey, and I am genuinely excited about the path that lies ahead for us in 2024.

Now, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my vision with you through a written introduction, and I hope it resonates with each of you as we collectively navigate the evolving landscape of architecture. Our community is vibrant, diverse, and filled with incredible talent, and it’s my sincere belief that together, we can achieve remarkable things.

Tonight, I want to talk about a concept that I believe is central to our success not only as architects but as individuals navigating a world in constant flux. It’s a philosophy that, I believe, can elevate our interactions, enhance our creativity, and lead us to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

The philosopher Epictetus once said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Indeed, the right reaction is the supreme art of living. Change is inevitable, and often, our first instinct is to resist it. We may find ourselves faced with challenges, uncertainties, or unexpected turns, and it’s easy to react with skepticism, frustration, or even disappointment.

Imagine our initial reaction, let’s call it a ‘D’—a reaction filled with doubt, discomfort, or disparagement. Now, what if we could transform that ‘D’ into a ‘C’? Not just any ‘C,’ but a ‘C’ that stands for curiosity. What if, instead of resisting change, we approached it with a curious mind—a mind eager to learn, adapt, and find new possibilities?

In the context of architecture, this ‘D’ to ‘C’ transformation is a powerful tool. When faced with a design challenge, a new technology, or a shift in industry trends, our initial reaction might be skepticism or hesitation—the ‘D.’ But what if we could train ourselves to embrace a ‘C’ reaction—a reaction that seeks to understand, explore, and innovate?

Take, for example, the integration of AI and image generators into our practices, as mentioned in my introduction. The initial reaction might be skepticism or concern about the impact on traditional design processes—the ‘D.’ But what if we approach it with curiosity—the ‘C’—and see it as an opportunity to enhance our creative capabilities, to collaborate with technology rather than resist it?

This philosophy extends beyond our professional lives; it’s a mindset that can positively influence every facet of our existence. When faced with personal challenges or unexpected twists in life, the ‘D’ reaction might involve dwelling on what went wrong. But what if we shift that reaction to ‘C,’ approaching difficulties with a curious mind, seeking growth and understanding?

The ‘D’ to ‘C’ transformation is about cultivating a mindset that turns obstacles into opportunities, challenges into learning experiences, and change into a catalyst for growth. It’s a philosophy that aligns with our collective journey as architects and as individuals dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.

As we navigate the year ahead, let’s strive to make the ‘D’ to ‘C’ transformation a guiding principle in our interactions, our creative processes, and our approach to change. Embrace curiosity, foster a mindset of continuous learning, and let the right reaction be the brushstroke that paints the masterpiece of our lives.

In closing, I am excited about the transformations we can achieve together. Let’s make 2024 a year of ‘C’ reactions—a year where curiosity becomes our compass, guiding us to new horizons and unprecedented success.

Thank you, and here’s to a year filled with inspiration, innovation, and the art of living well.”

Brian, AIA New Jersey is in good hands this year. We are excited to journey with you across this proposed evolution. Congratulations and thank you for your service. 

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA-NJ News | Tagged: #2024, #BrianPenschowAIA, #brianwilliampenschowaia | Comments (0)