Thank you for taking the time to read our first quarter issue of the AIA AAJ Journal. This is our first issue for 2021 and we are looking forward to beginning a successful and rewarding year. We have been exposed to incredible events that impact how we see and design for the justice system. Let us use this forum to explore the future of our profession and to engage with progressive ideas that will serve our readership and the community at large.
First up in this issue, we have an inspiring and insightful interview with Marayca Lopez. Ms. Lopez is the latest member of our Leadership Group. She is an incredible advocate and academic who continues to be a driving force in the justice community. She continues impacting the conversations about incarceration, equity, and justice. We hope the interview will remind us of the work left to do and the passions it takes to make change.
Then we reach out to our NextGEN Professional, Eric Zeldis. Eric has been an active participant in the AIA AAJ conferences and worked on several recent justice projects with AECOM. I hope you enjoy getting to know him a bit better. I did.
We also have an announcement of a student design competition from our Canadian colleagues at the Canadian Academy of Architecture for Justice (CAAJ). You will likely recognize many of the faces on the jury. Please spread the word to architecture professors or students, you think might be interested.
If you have been a dedicated reader, you know that Erin Persky has tirelessly shared with us her process to put together the Courthouse POE. Well, it is ready and the link to the toolkit is available to you.
Finally, we have an update from the AAJ Research & Technology Committee. Read more to learn about working groups tackling issues such as Solitary Confinement or Virtual Courts, as well as a new group that wants to look at diversion strategies across the country.
If you have any journal ideas or contributions, please feel free to contact us at aaj@aia.org. We are eager to hear from you and want to see your article ideas.
Kindest,
Kerry Feeney
Chair – AAJ Communications Committee 2021