Public Architects Committee

As Civil Service Workers and Public Architects, the AIA Public Architecture Community Advisory Board extends our support to all of our communities and wants you all to know we are truly "in this together" and with optimism and hope we look forward to a better future.

One of our many goals this year, as a Knowledge Community is to message and emphasize that this KC is not just about Public Architects, but more about Public Architecture, i.e. that Public Architecture is the People's Architecture.  And, in that spirit, this is a call to all Architects, private and public, to join us in celebrating Civic Architecture and discovering how we can take the lead in continuing to design, build and celebrate beautiful Civic spaces for all people.  For example, the "White House" is often referred to as the "People's House" and that is what Civic and Public Architecture is all about, the People!

The 2020 Public Architects Knowledge Community (PA KC) welcomes all AIA members and non-AIA member Architects to join in the effort to provide a forum for new and innovative ways to create, inform & challenge Public Architecture.  It is in this vain that we strive to build a coalition of professionals where we can advance progressive social and technological ideas and create the public architecture in the highest standard as our Civic Buildings need to last a lifetime!

The meaning of the phrase "Good enough for Government Work" over time has been turned on its' head to mean a wry joke to most people.  This phrase actually originated in WW II.  When something was "Good enough for Government work" it meant it could pass the most rigorous of standards.
 

For centuries, our Civic Buildings have been pillars of excellence, the best a civilization has to offer.  This is exemplified, from the Parthenon to the to the I.M. Pei East Building of the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, both located in D.C.

On a more personal note, I remember when just a couple of years into my studies at the University of Oregon Architecture School, my stepfather had moved to D.C. and was working as a writer for Senate committee reports.  He came home one weekend after touring the IM Pei Gallery and said, and I paraphrase:  "I don't really profess to understand or know architecture and what it's about, but after visiting that building, who cares?  It's incredible!"  If, through our work, we can inspire people who experience the People's Architecture to that level, I think we have at least in some way met our goals!

This year would like to formalize the make-up of our Public Architects Advisory Board moving forward which will consist of the following:

1. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a National/Federal level.
2. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a State/Regional level.
3. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a Local/City/County level.
4. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a International level.
5. Architect from the private sector who's work/firm's focus is with Public/Government Architecture
6. Architect from the private sector who's work/firm's focus is with Public/Government Architecture

We also welcome Ad Hoc Members who can join and then become Advisory Board Members down the road.

Other initiatives we are exploring this year is quarterly webinars through where we will invite various speakers and/or engage in round table discussions on topics such as Healthcare, Sustainability, Homelessness, Role of the City Architect, etc.  As an architect working in the public sector myself, overseeing a team of 60+ architects, I know that our work in the public sector covers a broad range of building types, from libraries, rec centers, police & fire stations, to alternative care sites for COVID and homeless shelters.  This is why we look to reach a broader audience and cross the aisle to collaborate with our colleagues in other AIA Knowledge Communities.

The Public Architects Knowledge Community strives to benefit our Architectural Landscape and bring excellence to our Public Buildings and Architecture.  And we cannot do this without the best of the best architects locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, who build, design, and manage our great civic assets. 

We look to all Architects, both from the Public and Private sector (not JUST the Advisory Board) to join us in our journey through design and excellence, building our most iconic Architecture FOR the people. 

Stay Happy, Healthy & Hopeful!

Julia 

As Civil Service Workers and Public Architects, the AIA Public Architecture Community Advisory Board extends our support to all of our communities and wants you all to know we are truly "in this together" and with optimism and hope we look forward to a better future.

One of our many goals this year, as a Knowledge Community is to message and emphasize that this KC is not just about Public Architects, but more about Public Architecture, i.e. that Public Architecture is the People's Architecture.  And, in that spirit, this is a call to all Architects, private and public, to join us in celebrating Civic Architecture and discovering how we can take the lead in continuing to design, build and celebrate beautiful Civic spaces for all people.  For example, the "White House" is often referred to as the "People's House" and that is what Civic and Public Architecture is all about, the People!

The 2020 Public Architects Knowledge Community (PA KC) welcomes all AIA members and non-AIA member Architects to join in the effort to provide a forum for new and innovative ways to create, inform & challenge Public Architecture.  It is in this vain that we strive to build a coalition of professionals where we can advance progressive social and technological ideas and create the public architecture in the highest standard as our Civic Buildings need to last a lifetime!

The meaning of the phrase "Good enough for Government Work" over time has been turned on its' head to mean a wry joke to most people.  This phrase actually originated in WW II.  When something was "Good enough for Government work" it meant it could pass the most rigorous of standards.
 

For centuries, our Civic Buildings have been pillars of excellence, the best a civilization has to offer.  This is exemplified, from the Parthenon to the to the I.M. Pei East Building of the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, both located in D.C.

On a more personal note, I remember when just a couple of years into my studies at the University of Oregon Architecture School, my stepfather had moved to D.C. and was working as a writer for Senate committee reports.  He came home one weekend after touring the IM Pei Gallery and said, and I paraphrase:  "I don't really profess to understand or know architecture and what it's about, but after visiting that building, who cares?  It's incredible!"  If, through our work, we can inspire people who experience the People's Architecture to that level, I think we have at least in some way met our goals!

This year would like to formalize the make-up of our Public Architects Advisory Board moving forward which will consist of the following:

1. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a National/Federal level.
2. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a State/Regional level.
3. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a Local/City/County level.
4. Architect working in the Public Sector/Government on a International level.
5. Architect from the private sector who's work/firm's focus is with Public/Government Architecture
6. Architect from the private sector who's work/firm's focus is with Public/Government Architecture

We also welcome Ad Hoc Members who can join and then become Advisory Board Members down the road.

Other initiatives we are exploring this year is quarterly webinars through where we will invite various speakers and/or engage in round table discussions on topics such as Healthcare, Sustainability, Homelessness, Role of the City Architect, etc.  As an architect working in the public sector myself, overseeing a team of 60+ architects, I know that our work in the public sector covers a broad range of building types, from libraries, rec centers, police & fire stations, to alternative care sites for COVID and homeless shelters.  This is why we look to reach a broader audience and cross the aisle to collaborate with our colleagues in other AIA Knowledge Communities.

The Public Architects Knowledge Community strives to benefit our Architectural Landscape and bring excellence to our Public Buildings and Architecture.  And we cannot do this without the best of the best architects locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, who build, design, and manage our great civic assets. 

We look to all Architects, both from the Public and Private sector (not JUST the Advisory Board) to join us in our journey through design and excellence, building our most iconic Architecture FOR the people. 

Stay Happy, Healthy & Hopeful!

Julia