Message from Bryan Winter AIA MBA
Executive Director
Cement League
May 2nd, 2011
New York City's history is intertwined with its buildings as well as its builders. From the beginning of the 20th Century and the beginnings of the Cement League in 1902, New York has been at the forefront of the design and construction of concrete buildings. Skill, safety and experience have been the foundations of the building trades, a key economic engine of New York City.
The city's great early offices and warehouses showed how "beton arme" could be a valuable tool in erecting projects that maintained the best qualities of a building: Commodity, Firmness and Delight. These qualities in a building were spelled out in the Second Century but the Roman Engineer Vitruvius, and are still true today.
Commodity in concrete design has offered a cost-effective solution for many buildings over the years, providing great value and justifying a skilled and capable workforce. Short-cycle work, flexible design, fireproof construction and sound isolation are all factors that create the value of buildings. The efficiency of well trained, experienced labor is the key to a successful building project.
Firmness is a trait in buildings that stands as a key element of the Lather's trade. The true art of the lather is that the perfect efficient balance between concrete, plaster and steel can be melded into a structure that will elegantly stand the test of time. Understanding the techniques and characteristics of rebar requires skilled hands, and they can be found in abundance at Local 46.
Delight is the goal of all architecture. Each building is a custom project, because owners and designers always try to find a unique look that will encourage the building's tenants to buy, rent, visit or educate to a higher level than would be attained if a building were a nondescript box. The skils of trades that build the superstructure as well as the finish surfaces are all needed to add the "wow" to each building in a unique way.
It is an honor to continue the Cement League legacy of Al Gerosa and others into the future. I have been fortunate in my career to see a wide range of challenges, from designing banks, hotels and skyscrapers around the world to serving as the Deputy Borough Commissioner to the DOB in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan. Along the way, I have met a lot of amazing people and seen a lot of incredible projects. Some have been inspiring, and some have been tragic. Now, we will work together to continue the spirit of open-eyed cooperation that is so needed in the challenging times of today's construction market.
The Cement League looks forward to continuing a long and fruitful relationship with the Lathers, as we all continue to adapt to the innovations, upheavals and challenges that characterize our times.