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We will host a reception on Thursday, June 6 from 6-8pm at the Marriott Marquis Salon. You'll share conversations with design leaders about what works (and doesn't work) in our communities and discuss opportunities to effect change in our world. Plus, you'll enjoy light fare and beverages as Regional and Urban Design Knowledge Community leadership shares highlights of recent activity and a preview of the exciting things to come. We will also host a forum on Friday, June 7 from 10- 11:30am at the Convention Center. Architects shape our rapidly changing world through planning and design—impacting housing, public buildings, public spaces, and infrastructure ...
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Last month, AIA held the 2024 Leadership Summit. It is a great opportunity to connect with leadership from AIA, its chapters, and its knowledge communities. The event formerly known as Grassroots is also an opportunity to climb Capitol Hill and meet with Senators and Representatives. One of the topics of conversation was HR 7024 (known as the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers) which includes modifications to the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) by increasing the base allocation and lowering the tax-exempt bond financing requirement. These changes help build more affordable housing, providing opportunities to increase density and housing ...
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Name Role Jason Takeuchi, AIA Chair Sarah Nelson-Woynicz, AIA Vice Chair Matt Toddy, AIA Past Chair Gabriella Bermea, AIA Director Kiara Gilmore, AIA Director Anastasia Markiw, AIA Director Seth Duke, AIA Director Carrie Parker, AIA Director Steven Spurlock, FAIA College of Fellows Liaison Patty Boyle, AIA Strategic Council Liaison
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State Representative Alabama Elliot Brown, AIA Alaska Zane Jones, AIA Arizona Andrea Hardy, AIA Arkansas Katherine Lashley, AIA California Vasilies Beseau, AIA Colorado Kaylyn Kirby, AIA Connecticut Andrew Gorzkowski, AIA DC Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA Delaware Jack Whalen, AIA Florida Arlenne Gil, AIA Georgia Laura Sherman, AIA Hawaii Kevin Loo-Chan, AIA Idaho Jorge Basulto, AIA Illinois Raquel Guzman Geara, AIA Indiana Matt Jennings, AIA International Li Ren, AIA Iowa Kevin Wagner, AIA Kansas Garric Baker, AIA ...
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Co-Authored by Saakshi Terway and Kumi Wickramanayaka The National Associates Committee (NAC) recently wrapped up its Annual Meeting in Memphis, TN, alongside the Young Architect Forum (YAF) , marking a pivotal shift in both the organization's approach. From February 1st to 3rd, the CiV - Center for Architecture + Design served as the backdrop for a gathering that emphasized inclusivity, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to the future of architecture. A Shift Towards Inclusivity One of the standout features of this year's meeting was the transition from a regional to a state/ territory representation model. By embracing this change, ...
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The AI Age

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William Martin, AIA and Brian Penschow, AIA both of AIA New Jersey are on a mission to get small architecture firms on board the Artificial Intelligence (AI) train. Their motivation for speaking to architects is profound: the best way to move the profession forward is to extract a seemingly complex concept in a way that small firm practitioners can immediately start to understand and apply. When a new technology seems complicated, it’s hard justifying taking time away from practical concerns to explore it. For many, AI has an added fear. Will this make designers irrelevant? What does it do to the value of creativity and design? William and Brian are dedicated ...
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5 Reasons to attend AIA24 for Small Firm Architects: This year we all meet up in Washington DC for the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design. And just like last year we have come up with the 5 best reasons for you, a small firm architect, to join a few thousand other colleagues on the convention floor. 5. Museums out the Wazoo - #centerofdemocracy #monuments #whitehouse #history #82museums 4. Up Your Game - #knowledge #weallneedthis #progress #stepoutsideyourcomfortzone 3. Small Firms Rule - #wearethemajority #theAIAneedsus #yourvoicematters 2. Have a Seat at the Table - #roomwhereithappens #homeoftheAIA And finally the number one ...
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The Traditional Building Conference Series delivers focused, relevant education and training for architects, contractors, craftspeople, designers, building owners and facilities managers in a time efficient format for AIA Continuing Education Credits. Featuring industry experts and practitioners, the Traditional Building Conference Series faculty present a mix of hands-on construction techniques, methods and materials, classical design, urban planning, and sustainable building practice for updating and preserving traditional and historic buildings of all types. The next conference will take place March 26-27, 2024 at the historic University ...
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The construction industry is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), from the production of materials to the heating, cooling and maintenance of existing buildings and infrastructure. To achieve emission reduction targets by 2050, new low carbon technologies and tools are needed to support further advancements in the construction sector. New solutions will support these requirements, including lifecycle performance of buildings and infrastructure, digitalization, construction practices and materials. From a regulatory perspective, there are multiple paths to achieve net zero. This provides an opportunity to advocate for careful system upgrades ...
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Building upon the tremendous success of the 2023 Taliesin Colloquium, the HRC Task Force has been meeting quarterly to continue our conversations about the SOI Standards, challenging topics regarding context, interpretation and how we might each adapt to a changing world view. The latest virtual meeting was held February 7, 2024, which focused on training and education. Among the training opportunities currently offered are programs in place through the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) www.napcommissions.org/camp . And the North Carolina Department of Cultural and Natural Resources SHPO CLG Training - YouTube .
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AIA24 HRC Luncheon EV215 | June 6 | 1 2 –   2 pm | The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC | Cost: $115 The monumental core of Washington, DC is a rich tapestry and cultural landscape of iconic museums, memorials, and public spaces that belong to and are enjoyed by visitors and local residents year round . What does it take for the owners of these precious public resources to be stewards of these significant places ? Join the AIA Historic Resources Committee (HRC) for a lively conversation about stewardship in the monumental core of Washington, DC with some of the leading professional charged with their ...
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By Lorraine Minatoishi, AIA Dear HRC members, Welcome to Spring 2024! Our committee has been working diligently to ensure that we provide engaging seminars and luncheons, legislative direction, and task force member engagement. Our goals set for 2023 were the following: Provide value and tangible benefits to our membership through shared knowledge and advocacy Promote networks and partnerships with preservation groups as well as other KCs to support climate action, justice, and equity Actively engage/advise with AIA overall on preservation related items Provide various educational opportunities ...
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A World of Experience Vanessa Shumate was raised in a small town in northeastern Kentucky. She has always had a creative side and started early in life with a love for art. For a research project during her senior year of high school on a profession of her choice, she selected architecture, which sparked a newfound interest. At that time, she had a full ride scholarship to another university which did not have an architecture program. She made the decision that if she were to test into the University of Kentucky’s architecture program, which was limited to approximately 80 students at that time, she would pursue it. Through a twist of fate, she was selected, ...
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I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as president for the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health . I want to extend my gratitude to the past leadership who have brought me to this exciting point in my career: Kenneth Webb, Ellen Taylor, Brenna Costello, Kirsten Waltz, Tushar Gupta, and Vincent Della Donna. The energy and passion that they and this organization possesses is like no other. My goals for the year are simple yet bold. First, we need to raise awareness in the health care community of the importance of this Knowledge Community. The AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) has over 9,000 members. If you don’t know, our mission is ...
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It’s estimated that built environments are responsible for roughly 42% of annual CO2 emissions. Let’s consider that number: Across both building operations and embodied carbon of four leading building and infrastructure materials, the emissions from the building industry can account for over a third of what is expected annually worldwide. And while that number is difficult to grapple with, it also presents an opportunity. What if we considered the good our industry could do in advancing carbon-emission reductions? What if we emphasized the collective impact material choices could have? At Milliken, we stand FOR HUMANKIND in every ...
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End of February: Feb 26- NIBS Building Innovation Deadline for Speaker Submission - Extension Feb 26, 12 pm ET, Cultural Expression Through Mass Timber—The Village SF Wellness Center Feb 27, 11 am ET, Informational Webinar - Building Envelope Innovation Prize Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2024 AIA Leadership Summit (DC) Feb 27, 11 am ET, DOE Buildings Webinar Series - Illuminating impact: integrated lighting campaign gives back to the community Feb 28, 12pm ET, AIASF COTE Book Talk: Experiential Design Strategies (Virtual) Feb 29, 3 pm ET; AIA 2030 Commitment reporting season - "Ask us anything" ...
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Business Basics Let’s start the year with fresh thinking on business basics to tackle challenges such as digital threats, small firm benefits, best practices for M&A activity, business development and marketing, and new ways of thinking about fees. Letter from the Editor By Rebecca W.E. Edmunds, AIA, NOMA 2023 has been quite the year with year-end billings at a low after 7 months of decline, a rise in inquiries seems promising for 2024 (see Kriston Capps, “​​ Design Edition: The Architecture Forecast for 2024 ,” Bloomberg, December 31, 2023). Often during slow times, we turn internally and reexamine our business operations and ...
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Contributed by The AIA Trust Many architectural firms are tempted into believing they’re safe from cyberattacks because they don’t consider their data to be “sensitive” enough to attract criminals. Cybercriminals are sophisticated, deliberate and efficient in how they monetize their efforts. If you use the internet for any reason – even if just for basics such as email, submitting invoices or sharing designs–you are at risk–and cyber risk is a problem for every professional services firm. A risk report published by the AIA Trust is filled with real case studies and highlights how very attractive architectural firms are to cyber criminals, the most ...
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By Sarah Hernandez, Assoc. AIA, Chief Marketing Officer, Ci In an industry where the creation of physical spaces can impact communities for generations, the strategic roles of Marketing and Business Development (BD) cannot be overstated. These processes and activities are not mere back-office functions; they are the driving force behind the firm’s growth and market presence. The architectural profession has a history of resistance to understanding and embracing the importance of a solid and empowered Marketing and BD team. Now is the time to change your perspective on what these professionals can do for your firm’s viability and success. ...
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By Cynthia Anderson, CPA, Entrepreneur & Founder, ThincStrategies In today's changing business landscape, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have emerged as a powerful strategy to accelerate expansion, innovation, and leapfrog the competition. However, executing a successful transaction is no easy feat. The following is a guideline to help you and your firm through each phase of the M&A process with best practices to find the right fit for your team, whether you are a buyer or a seller. Professional firms consider a merger or acquisition based on a few common motivations: Growth: Mergers and acquisitions can speed up firm ...
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