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MEET OUR CEO

Adina S. Banayan, Assoc. AIA, B.ARCH, BA, GPRO

CEO and Founder

Adina S Banayan, Assoc. AIA, is the CEO and Founder of adina architeXture, an independent architectural and sustainability coordinator and consultant for retrofit projects reducing their carbon emissions, or for new development projects that have net-zero or carbon-negative goals. 

 

Trained as an architect in New York and a climate activist in Europe, Adina has paved her way as a proactive professional, Adina taking a stand in the resilient and regenerative future of the built environment, leading and empowering others to do the same. She volunteers for the OpenAir Collective, advocating for net-zero and negative emissions local policies, is the Co-Chair of American Institute of Architects of Westchester + Hudson Valley (AIAWHV) Committee on the Environment (COTE) and Emerging Professionals Committee (EP), and an active board member of AIAWHV and NY Passive House (NYPH). Adina is also a certified Green Professional, GPRO.

 

Adina graduated from Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture of CCNY with a double major in architecture and studio art, focusing on sustainability, urban planning, and climate change governance. Adina studied these topics in greater depth through her study-abroad award grants in Barcelona and Amsterdam.

Adina S. Banayan, owner adina architeXture
clear staricase against a lush green wall

Publications

  • AIAWHV COTE - Panelist: Cutting-Edge Energy Compliance: Navigating NYC Local Law 97 and the NYS Stretch Energy Code (2024)

  • PWC- Moderator/Panelist:  Greening the Big Apple- Decarbonization Dialogue- Insights from Industry Leaders (Professional Women in Construction, New York) March 6, 2024  

  • NY Build Expo - Panelist; Passive House: NYC’s Optimum Tool for Meeting Local Law 97 Requirements and Complying with our Aggressive Energy Codes February 13, 2024

  • CCNY Guest Lecturer: ENGR I9500 Professional Seminar and Special Topics in Sustainability: Sustainability Level Up LL97: Building Decarbonization + Electrification: What, Why, and How; Decarb 101 September 7, 2023 

  • AIA WHV COTE Symposium- Organizer - Designing the Clean Energy Future Now! Symposium - All Day (2023) 

  • AIA WHV: Sustainability Webinar Series - MC (2022) 

  • LL97 Company Workshops- Speaker (2022) 

  • LL97 Monthly Webinar with Mark Hertz Co. - Speaker/Panelist (2022) 

  • NYS Climate Action Council; CLCPA Draft Report - Speaker (2022) 

  • Open Air: The Portland Low Carbon Concrete Pilot - MC (2021) 

  • Open Air: Carbon City: Transforming CO2 through New York’s Built Environment - Panelist (2021) 

  • NYC Apartment Building Chat - Latitude Compliance - Panelist (2021) 

  • Carbon City: Soletair’s Building-Integrated DACC - MC (2021) 

  • Open Air Collective: Climate Policy Advocate Promoted Low-Carbon, Carbon Negative and DACC Policies to Local Government (2020)

Speaking Engagements

Adina S. Banayan speaking from a podium
Adina S. Banayan sitting in front of a captivated audience

Professional Affiliations

  • Professional Women in Construction Member  
  • Associate AIA Member  
  • NCARB Council Record Member 
  • AIA Westchester and Hudson Valley (WHV) Associate Board Director 
  • AIA WHV Committee on the Environment, Co- Chair 
  • AIA WHV Emerging Professionals, Co- Chair 
  • OpenAIR Collective Member/ Volunteer  
  • GPRO, CM, O+M Green Professional  
  • iPHA New York Passive House Member  
  • New York Passive House (NYPH) Board of Directors  
  • NYPH Emerging Professionals, Co-Chair 
  • NYPH Local Climate Policy Working Group Member 
  • International Living Future (ILFI) Member New York Build Women in Construction Ambassador  Comment end  
Brooklyn Bridge

Competitions

Reimaging Brooklyn Bridge: Granite, Steel, and Plants

MTA’s Genius Transit Challenge: The SubLine

Academic Projects

I have always been interested in the urban fabric of public spaces and infrastructures. These research papers have deepened my understanding of the social, political, and environmental impacts on cities around the world. I discovered the willpower and success of a community achieving urban resilience and sustainable living methods. I learned about the importance of public spaces throughout history. I uncovered climate activists who are initiating social change to combat climate change with their art. I am inspired to use my studies and interests to help “Build Back Better”.

Research Papers

 In its History, Shocks, and Stresses, Favelas, and Resiliency

city rooftop garden
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