Join us at the Bergen County Rowing Center on June 18, 2025, from 6 – 9 PM for the ALNNJ Scholarship Presentation Dinner.

Architects League of Northern New Jersey will present scholarships to student awardees from Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Sussex Counties who will be attending NAAB-accredited architecture schools this fall, reflecting the League’s commitment to future architects.

The main presentation will feature James Giresi, AIA, Senior Associate, Clarke Caton Hintz who will give a talk on the design and development of the Bergen County Rowing Center, including how the team addressed complex site and programmatic challenges to deliver a flood-resilient, community-focused structure. With elevated decks overlooking the Passaic River and a design that embraces both athletic and public use, the Rowing Center is a strong example of civic architecture shaped by its environment.

ALNNJ will also take a moment to recognize and thank our new and recent League members for being part of our community!

Agenda

6 -7 PM: Social Hour
7 PM: Dinner followed by presentations

Scholarship Awards Presentation

Each year, the Architects League of Northern New Jersey proudly awards scholarships to deserving students who are pursuing a career in architecture. The program is open to current high school and college students from Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Sussex Counties who will be attending a NAAB-accredited architecture school in the fall.

As part of the evening’s program, we will recognize and celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients. This annual initiative reflects the League’s commitment to supporting the next generation of architects and is made possible through proceeds from our fundraising events and the generous contributions of our annual sponsors

Course: Strategies for Active and Passive Floodproofing When Building in a Floodplain (1 LU|HSW Submitted)

This lecture will feature the award-winning Bergen County Rowing Center, designed by Clarke Caton Hintz. James Giresi, AIA, will specifically highlight the challenges of designing and constructing a permanent structure in a floodplain. The case study will illustrate the unique difficulties involved in specifying passive and active floodproofing strategies, as well as the impact these strategies have on the building’s structural design, material durability, and finish selections. Additional discussion will focus on long-term performance of flood mitigation systems in unpredictable environments.

Speaker

James Giresi, AIA is a Senior Associate at Clarke Caton Hintz in Trenton, NJ. His passion for the built environment and the design process is reflected in his versatile experience, which spans from small-scale building repairs to complex historic restorations and large urban planning projects. James brings technical precision, a focus on efficiency, and expertise in BIM to every project. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in preserving historic landmarks, balancing the preservation of a building’s original character with its adaptation to modern needs. His philosophy emphasizes that historic structures should evolve to serve the past, present, and future.

One of James’ most notable recent projects was the restoration of Belle Vista (Lambert Castle) in Paterson, a Gilded Age mansion that had fallen into disrepair. Through meticulous research and careful attention to detail, James and his team restored the mansion to its former grandeur, receiving acclaim for their work on restoring period-specific elements such as ornate moldings, stained glass, and plasterwork.

In addition to his architectural work, James is a Board Member of Preservation New Jersey and an advocate for preservation across the state. He is also an experienced grant writer, helping clients secure funding and raise awareness for endangered historical sites.