NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vidaris, Inc., a leading consulting and monitoring firm specializing in high-performance buildings, announced the election of its CEO, Israel Berger, to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows. Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member, an honor that is restricted to those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society. The 2013 Jury of Fellows elevated 122 AIA members to this prestigious status, which fewer than 4 percent of its members ever attain.
Concerning his election to Fellow, Berger declared, "I am grateful that the national AIA recognizes the contribution of building envelope consultants, a field which I am passionate about. My elevation to fellowship is a tribute to Vidaris' members, particularly Bill Logan, Marc Weissbach, and the other principals in the firm. Going forward, we face new challenges of promoting innovative yet efficient systems, while advocating responsive and consistent performance criteria."
Mr. Berger, the founding partner of Israel Berger & Associates, now a division of Vidaris, has been a specialist in the design and construction of building envelopes for over 30 years. He is renowned for his technical expertise, creative thinking, extensive experience, and deep familiarity with the façade and roofing industries. Mr. Berger has directed the consulting, testing, and inspection of curtain walls, windows, metal cladding, pre-cast, masonry walls, roofing, and composite assemblies worldwide. His work encompasses many building types, including commercial, residential, and institutional in the United States, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, and South America. In addition, he has directed the façade restoration and re-cladding on many significant projects, including listed Landmark Buildings.
Rick Bell, Executive Director of the AIA New York Chapter, said, "The Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of architects as individuals, but also their significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level."
The 2013 Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony at the 2013 National AIA Convention and Design Exposition in Denver, Colorado, in June.
About Vidaris
Vidaris focuses on serving a niche marketplace in the A/E/C industry, offering consulting and monitoring services for high-performance buildings and specialty structures in all real estate market sectors. By building synergy among brands, Vidaris creates value for its clients through a holistic approach to consulting services. Service offerings relate to building envelopes, energy efficiency, sustainability, building commissioning and construction monitoring for a wide range of Clients. Vidaris has approximately 145 employees in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut and provides services worldwide.
About the American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities and advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well-being. Its nearly 80,000 members in approximately 300 state and local chapters 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 as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, the nation, and the world.