Robert Sussna, AIA, Emeritus
Architect, Painter, Photographer, Planner, & Interior Designer
Overview
Mr. Sussna has been an award-winning architect, photographer, planner, and painter for more than 50 years. He practiced architecture as Principal of Sussna Architects, PA., with offices in Princeton, New Jersey, and New York City after working in prominent firms in New York and Princeton.
His photography has been exhibited in one-man exhibitions at major museums, including the State Museum of New Jersey, Hoboken Museum, and the Newark Museum, and private exhibitions, and published in the New York Times, Mercer County NJ Cultural & Heritage, and awarded purchase prizes.
He started watercolor painting in 2004 during a vacation trip to Italy, and has subsequently been selected for inclusion in over 40 open, juried national and regional competitive exhibitions. He has won signature membership in several recognized watercolor societies, including the Garden State Watercolor Society and the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, wining prestigious awards along the way.
Sussna originated approximately 500 major architectural designs for Educational Institutions, Business Corporations, Health Institutions, Not-For-Profit Organizations, State, and Federal Agencies across the middle-Atlantic states. He has over 40 years of experience with practice and contractual issues of the design professions and the construction industry, and has counseled other architectural firms and insurance companies on these matters.
He also practices architectural forensics for national and regional law firms and insurance underwriters (see Architectural Forensics) .
Academic Background
- Cornell University, Bachelor of Architecture, 1963
- Advanced Studies in Structural Design, Cornell University, 1963
- Completed coursework in Engineering Law, Cornell University Law School, 1960
- Unofficial Audit in Architectural Design, Princeton University, 1975
- Visiting Lecturer in architecture, Columbia University, Graduate School of Education
- Adjunct Professor of Interior and Environmental Design, College of New Jersey
Professional Registrations, Licenses, and Memberships n/f
- Architecture: 1968, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Tennessee, Virginia, and Delaware
- Certified: National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
- Planner: Licensed New Jersey Professional Planner 1974-2009
- Certified Interior Designer: New Jersey 2006-2009
- American Institute of Architects, AIA NJ Chapter/Region, Formerly Regional V.P. & Treasurer
- Health Facilities Research Program (A Program of the AIA/ACSA Council on Architectural Research)
& AIA Academy of Architecture for Health
- American Society of Healthcare Engineering, of American Hospital Association
- Building Officials & Code Administrators International (BOCA), Professional Member
- Society for College and University Planning, member (SCUP)
Service to the Profession (now, or formerly)
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Emeritus Member 2009 to present
Corporate Member 1968-2009
National Health Care & Research Committee
National Practice Committee
Presenter at National Grass Roots (Strategic Planning for Components)
- AIA New Jersey Chapter, (AIANJ)
Treasurer, 1994
Chairman, Budget & Finance Committee, 1994
Secretary, 1993
Chairman, Governance Task Force, 1993
By Laws Committee, 1993
Personnel Committee, 1993
Membership Committee, 1993
Member of the Board of Directors
Chairman, Planning Board Task Force
Originator of the Strategic Planning Task Force
Chairman, Governance Task Force
- AIA Central New Jersey Section, (AIACNJ)
Past President, 1999
Chairman, Nominating Committee, 1993
President, 1992
Chairman, Newsletter, 1992
President Elect, 1991
Chairman, Practice Committee, 1991
Chairman, Program Committee, 1991
Chairman, Public Relations Committee
Second Vice President, 1990
Board of Directors
Service to the Community n/f
- American Correctional Association
Professional Member
- American Society of Hospital Engineers (ASHE)
Member
- Hopewell Township Planning Board
Member
- SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives
Volunteer for Princeton NJ Chapter
Achievements & Recognition
- Award-winning Architect, Painter, and Photographer
- “Special Award of Merit” in Design from the New Jersey Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects
- New Jersey State Museum Bicentennial Exhibition of Award Winning Designs
- Fellowship grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
- Published in New Jersey Architecture, New Jersey Bar Journal, Law Office Economics and Management, and 1000 Architects.
- Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who, New Providence, NJ, 49th Edition, 1995 & 6.
- Who’s Who in Science & Engineering, Marquis Who’s Who, New Providence, NJ, 2nd Edition, 1993
- Who’s Who in the East, Marquis Who’s Who, New Providence, NJ, 24th Edition, 1992, & 25th Edition, 1994
- Who’s Who in New Jersey, Publishers Plus, Weehawken, NJ, 1992 Edition
- Men of Achievement, International Biographical Centre, 1994
- Recipient of the first “Award of Recognition for Commitment to Design for the Disabled” from the Easter Seal Society of New Jersey
- Member of Orion Group/DPIC Insurance Co. Panel of experts in Architecture
Areas of Expertise:
- ADA/Accessibility
- Architectural Contracts
- Building Code Violation/Compliance
- Building Design
- Built-up Roofing/Thermal Shock
- Codes & Standards
- Construction Defects
- Construction Management
- Construction Materials Evaluation
- Construction Permit Management
- Copyright Infringement
- Design and Analysis
- Environmental Remediation of Air-Quality Defects
- Life Safety
- Planning & Zoning
- Project Management
- Repair/Rehabilitation Design
- Retail Tenant Improvements