AAACE USA Under Construction
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Armir Taraj P.E. is a Structural Engineer with over 10 years experience living and working in New York City. He has an Associate Degree in Computer Science from Bronx Community College, and a Bachelor's and Master's of Engineering in Civil Engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science of Art. Since 2005, Armir has worked with the structural engineering firm of Ysrael A. Seinuk P.C., founded by the renowned professor and structural engineer Ysrael A. Seinuk. At YAS Armir has been involved with the analysis and design of countless structures in reinforced concrete, steel, and CMU, and has followed many of these projects thru successful construction. Armir specializes in reinforced concrete high-rise residential buildings, however, his experience includes commercial buildings, schools, hospitals and DEP structures. Some of his projects of note include the 44-story and extremely slender concrete residential tower at 785 8th Ave, New York, and the 31-story and also very slender concrete tower at 1355 First Ave. Armir's professional interests include architecture, construction management, and development. He is also committed to social activism and social justice and is very passionate about mentoring young engineers. Armir is a member of ASCE, SEoNY, ACI, NAPEC and is a co-founder of AAACE
Sokol Huta is an architectural designer based in New York City who holds a M.Arch.and a Ph.D. in Architecture.Theory and Project from La Sapienza University in Rome.He has investigated the role of ex-industrial systems in the regeneration of developing metropolis, and has presented his findings in conferences in Taiwan, Russia, Italy and Albania, in addition to participating in research workshops in Greece and Italy. He was Teaching Assistant for three years in Laboratory of Architecture and Urban Design, and taught Rhinoceros 3D at La Sapienza University. After exploring the potential of artificial light in the perception and life of volumes at the Goldstick Lighting Design, he started working with Ismael Leyva Architects in some of the most important high-rise and high-end projects in NY, like the two million square feet Domino Sugar Factory Master Plan Development launched by Two Trees Management
Eldina graduated from Pratt Institute with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture with Honors in 2011. Her academic career includes the Norman Rosenfeld Scholarship for Excellence in Thesis Degree Project; selection for the Honors Thesis Review at the Pratt Gallery; archived projects in Pratt’s “In Process” publication; Presidential Scholarship, and President’s List. After university, she worked in the field of architecture, engineering and construction management; providing her with valuable insight of the construction industry. Her focus is in fast-paced innovative technology, Building Information Modeling, which she believes is the foundation of design, and the key element that enables the realization of modern marvels. At engineering firm, Thornton Tomasetti, she was responsible for the coordination and implementation of BIM structural models for certain projects such as high-rise commercial and residential towers, hospitals, and universities. She recently joined WSP's BIM team to facilitate the execution of notable projects in NYC. Eldina also participated independently in the “Change the Course: NYC Waterfront Construction Competition” sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) for which she was selected as a finalist. Her proposal was an urban master plan that established a coastal infrastructure protecting Manhattan’s high-risk zones from climate disturbances. Eldina's enthusiasm for design and construction originates from a combination of curiosity and creativity. Her goal is to use design as a method of improving a city’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. Currently, Eldina is pursuing her license in Architecture
Luis Puna, an Albanian-Italian, is co-founder of American Albanians in Architecture, Construction and Engineering, (AAACE). He is currently employed with WSP Group as a Design Engineer in the design of high rise concrete buildings department. Some of the high rise building projects thathe has worked on includes “The Edge 2”, 855 6th Ave, “Hudson Rise”. Luis holds a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from l’Università degli Studi di Parma and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from l’Università di Bologna. He moved to New York City a few years ago to get his second Master of Science degree from NYU Polytechnic Schoolof Engineering, with a concentration in structural analysis. He is member of SEAoNY, ASCE, APEN, and "Ingegneri e Architetti Italiani in NYC". Luis is also a PE license candidate
Ilir Dulaj is an international student graduate of University of North Florida. After college, Ilir moved to New York City pursuing his career in Civil Engineering. He started as a Geotechnical lab assistant working for projects for New York's DD+C and NYDOT, then managing foundation construction for high rises with both rock and soil subsurfaces with the implementation of extreme temporary shorring such as secant piles, slurry walls, and drilled piles. He is currently working for the WSP Group as a Construction Engineer in New York City. Ilir has experience in field operations; from eight story foundation development to the construction of super tall buildings. His simplicity and critical thinking in the field has captured the attention of many WSP Senior VPs and high-end clients requesting Ilir to represent WSP for many prestigious high rise buildings in Manhattan.
Valentin is involved in the technical aspect and overall development of AAACE. Currently, he works as Client Solutions Manager at
Addepar, a start-up headquartered in Silicon Valley that is revolutionizing the world of finance with respect to data aggregation and portfolio analysis addressing the needs of the UHNW market. Prior to Addepar, Valentin worked at Rockefeller Financial, one of the oldest Asset Management firms in the US for six years in various capacities, ranging from the technology side in data analysis to portfolio engineering and risk management in the investment side. Valentin holds an AA with Honors from Bard Early College, a BA in Mathematics and BS in Financial Economics from Binghamton University
