December 10, 2024

Architects Are Building More Than Structures—They’re Shaping New Jersey’s Future

by AIA NJ President Brain Penschow, AIA

New Jersey is at a crossroads, and architects are poised to take center stage. The state’s proposed State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP) isn’t just about policy—it’s a call to reimagine the communities we live in, balancing progress with preservation and innovation with responsibility. For architects, this means navigating both new opportunities and fresh challenges in their designs, workflows, and relationships with clients.

On the bright side, the SDRP invites architects to become trailblazers in sustainable and resilient design. The plan’s emphasis on walkable neighborhoods, transit-oriented development, and eco-friendly buildings aligns with a shift in how people want to live. Families are looking for homes close to work, schools, and shops. Communities seek spaces that make it easy to walk or bike instead of relying on cars. Architects now have the chance to design mixed-use spaces where work, play, and home blend seamlessly. Imagine neighborhoods where a coffee shop might sit below a family’s apartment, or a playground is just a block from an office.

But this isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about preparing for the future. The SDRP takes the risks of climate change seriously, focusing on managing floods, reducing carbon footprints, and making neighborhoods resilient to storms and rising waters. For architects, that means integrating green roofs, smarter drainage systems, and designs that minimize energy use—all while staying within the budgets and visions of their clients. These measures aren’t just good for the planet; they’re becoming essential for any forward-thinking building project.

Yet, no one said progress would come without a price. The SDRP also raises the bar on compliance. Architects working near wetlands or flood-prone areas may face stricter rules about where and how they can build. While these measures aim to protect the environment and public safety, they can also increase costs and limit creative freedom. For instance, designing a waterfront restaurant might now require extensive—and expensive—floodproofing measures. Architects accustomed to more flexible zoning laws may find these new guidelines like trading a blank canvas for a paint-by-numbers set.

Urban projects present their own set of puzzles. The SDRP rightly emphasizes revitalizing underused spaces like old malls, abandoned warehouses and neglected downtown corridors. These areas hold promise, but they also come with challenges—like navigating complex zoning rules, addressing community concerns, and balancing environmental justice with economic growth. Architects tackling these projects will need not only creative vision but also the patience to wade through bureaucratic waters.

Still, for every challenge the SDRP brings, it also offers architects an opportunity to lead. The state’s focus on affordable housing, for example, opens doors to rethink traditional home designs. Accessory dwelling units—think backyard cottages or in-law suites—are gaining traction, as are multi-generational homes where grandparents, parents, and kids can live under one roof. These trends allow architects to create spaces that aren’t just practical but also deeply personal.

The SDRP’s emphasis on collaboration may also redefine how architects work. With a stronger push for consistency between state, regional, and local planning efforts, architects may need to spend more time at the table with planners, engineers, and policymakers. While this could slow down some projects, it also offers a chance to create more cohesive, community-focused designs.

And this is where you, the reader, come in. The SDRP isn’t just a plan for professionals—it’s a blueprint for the future of every resident in New Jersey. What excites you about it? What worries you? Do you fear how new restrictions might affect your favorite open spaces or your neighborhood’s character? Do you have ideas about what makes a community thrive?

The plan is designed to evolve with public input and now is the time to make your voice heard. Before architects and planners break ground on these ideas, they need to know your thoughts. Start by reading the SDRP—yes, it’s a big document, but it’s packed with a vision that touches every corner of the state. Afterward, share your thoughts, fears, and hopes. A two-month public comment period will begin February  12, 2025, with meetings planned in every county. This is your chance to help shape the places where we live, work, and play for generations to come.

About AIA and AIA New Jersey

Facebook:       @AIANJ

X:                      @AIANJ

Instagram:      AIA New Jersey

Linkedin:         AIA New Jersey

AIA New Jersey Mission Statement

AIA New Jersey Supports its Members and Promotes the Public’s Understanding of Architecture through Advocacy, Education, and Service.

Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through a dynamic network of more than 250 chapters and more than 95,000 member architects and design professionals, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well-being. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and businesses. It also engages civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. AIA New Jersey, a chapter AIA, has been the voice of the architectural profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has over 2,000 members across six sections. For more information, please visit http://www.aia-nj.org

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Legislative & Government Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged: #BrianPenschowAIA, #NJSDRP | Comments (0)