<p><span class="p-body">Julie Torres Moskovitz, an accomplished architect and sustainability expert, brings her extensive experience and passion for green innovation to the MS in Real Estate Development program at NYU SPS. As the director of sustainability at WXY architecture + urban design, Moskovitz’s commitment to advancing sustainable design practices is top-of-mind when she’s in the field and the classroom. Notably, she authored a book on passive house design and served as the architect for the first certified passive house retrofit in New York City in 2012.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">We recently caught up with Instructor Moskovitz to find out what keeps her going as a full-time professional and instructor at the Schack Institute of Real Estate, plus her advice for incoming students.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">With a background in practicing architecture in New York City since 2000, Moskovitz founded her own firm, Fete Nature Architecture, before joining WXY. Fueled by a continuous desire to learn and research a broad range of topics, from infrastructure to housing to carbon tracking, she decided to jump into academia as an instructor. Mosvotiz’s teaching experience includes prestigious institutions like Syracuse University, where she taught seminars and architecture studios, and Pratt Institute, where she engaged students in innovative courses on furniture design with interior and industrial designers.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Her move to NYU SPS was a natural progression, where she could merge her real estate and sustainability expertise while ushering in the next generation of industry leaders. &quot;The students always bring interesting viewpoints, and it’s good to encourage their exploration of important topics like climate change and public space,&quot; Moskovitz reflects.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">In the MS in Real Estate Development program, Moskovitz co-teaches the Planning and Design Issues in Development course, a class that addresses urban planning and the public realm. Alongside Claire Weisz, Principal at WXY Studio, and urban planner Annie Peyton, Moskovitz guides students through the complexities of large NYC competition briefs, offering them a hands-on approach to understanding urban planning. The course covers essential topics and encourages students to explore new areas of interest, sparking curiosity and deeper engagement.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Reflecting on her proudest moment as an educator, Moskovitz recalls the end-of-semester discussions where students presented their final research. &quot;It felt good to be able to wish them off to their careers,&quot; she says, reflecting on the fulfillment that comes with seeing students ready to step into new opportunities.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Looking ahead, Instructor Moskovitz is optimistic about the potential of Regenerative Development as the next significant trend in real estate. She plans to teach an interactive workshop on this topic in Fall 2024, sharing insights from her training with the Regenerative Practitioner program. Moskovitz’s commitment to sustainability is evident in her belief that green innovation is reaching a pivotal moment, with new policies, technologies, and energy-modeling tools becoming essential in both retrofitting existing buildings and designing new ones.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Adaptability is essential for success in the ever-evolving fields of architecture and real estate development. Moskovitz encourages students to embrace certifications and education in green programs or new technologies, as these qualifications open doors to innovative construction methods and collaborations with like-minded professionals.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Moskovitz’s own academic career was shaped by hard work and moments of recognition that bolstered her confidence. She now strives to pass on that encouragement to her students and believes in the power of mentorship to help them navigate the challenges and opportunities of their careers. Her advice to incoming students is to “dive in and be fearless with your curiosity because you can shape your career in dynamic ways. Your career can have lots of twists and turns that keep it interesting.”</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Julie Torres Moskovitz inspires students to think critically about sustainability, making a space where they can co-create a greener future together. Join them when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-real-estate-development.html" title="MS in Real Estate Development">MS in Real Estate Development</a> at NYU SPS today.</span></p>