Awards & Honors

Join us in congratulating SSA alumni Willy Zambrano (BS. Arch ’90 B. Arch ’92) and William Gati (B. Arch ’82, MUP ’84) for being named 2021 AIA New York State Honor Award Recipients. Their dedication to our profession, and our next generation, is acknowledged through their achievements.

Willy Zambrano was presented with The Matthew W. Del Gaudio Award, acknowledging achievements by member architects and community leaders for their many accomplishments, service, and commitment to advancing the profession of architecture.

The Founder and Design Principal in Charge at Zambrano Architectural Design located in Freeport, LI, Willy has devoted his entire professional career to his community, his profession and the next generation of architects, pushing the boundaries of the architect’s role to be “at the table.” Willy has been a long-standing, active AIA member, participating and leading at the local, state and national levels. As an officer and President of the Queens Chapter, he co-founded the AIA Brooklyn + Queens Design Awards, established the chapter’s Urban Design Committee to improve public spaces in the borough and served as chapter advisor in the NYC Planning Commission’s 2011 NYC Zoning Resolution Amendment. At the state level, Willy has led the delegation at Lobby Day, rallied to oppose changes to the Landmark Commission’s review process, co-chaired AIA’s QUAD conference and served as AIANYS Vice President of Education. Willy’s involvement on the AIA Strategic Council Best Practice Committee’s Diversity Sprint and the Communications Committee has been instrumental to regional and local components. In 2020, he incorporated AIANYS Technology Group into the digital transformation conversation and co-led a three-part online seminar series on the future of architecture and digital transformation.

 

William Gati was presented The Educator Award, recognizing notable contributions and accomplishments by an architectural educator in New York State.

William Gati, AIA, Founder and Principal of Architecture Studio in Kew Gardens, NY, and an accomplished composer and musician, also finds time to be an adjunct professor at the New York Institute of Technology on Long Island. Over the course of his tenure, William has taught courses that have touched the lives of countless students. William sees his expertise as an opportunity to be a mentor to former students and peers, joining the advisory board of a local High School in Ozone Park, for Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture. As Chair of the AIA Queens Chapter Scholarship Committee, he was a vital member of the transition team to establish a Queens Foundation for Architecture organization that could continue the fundraising work behind the scholarships awarded to High School and College students.

 

 

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