Universal Navigation

Sign In, Renew, Sign Up

Global Quicklinks

Search AIA

Primary Navigation

Practicing ArchitecturePracticing Architecture

The AIA’s Strategic Alliances + Initiatives department is responsible for direction and oversight of AIA’s relationships with allied and non-profit organizations that support key Institute initiatives related to collaboration, sustainability, globalization, and other industry transformation trends.

The staff works with staff, members, and groups to create and oversee ongoing strategic relationships with four types of organizations important to fulfilling AIA’s mission:

• Collateral Organizations

• Allied Professional or Trade Organizations

• Public Education Organizations

• International Architectural Organizations

Collateral Organizations

Collateral organizations are peer organizations responsible for the education and licensing of US Architects. The work of these organizations affects architects at every career phase beginning with school.

AIA-Accordion

American Institute of Architects

American Institute of Architects (AIAS)

AIA & AIAS work together to offer professionals at any stage in their career opportunities to promote excellence in the practice of architecture.

• ArchCareers.org

• AIAS / AIA COTE Fellowship

• AIAS Forum

Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)

AIA and ACSA work closely to support professional growth and development of their members in areas of shared interest and concern.

• AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion

• Decade of Design: Clinton Global Initiative

• AIA Knowledge Communities support sponsored research opportunities

National Architectural Accrediting Board

National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)

AIA practitioners help NAAB ensure quality education by participating in NAAB School Visits.

• 2013 Call for Participation: NAAB School Visits

• 2013 ARC Knowledge Net site

• Pomona 2007 Conference on Sustainability in Architecture and Higher Education

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

Did you know that AIA and NCARB consult to ensure that AIA Continuing Education programs meet NCARB standards?

• AIA offers free transcripts for interns

• Earn IDP Hours with the EP Companion

• AIA & NCARB Twitter Chat

Return to top of page

Allied Professional & Trade Organizations

Allied Professional and Trade Organizations represent every aspect of the AECO industry. Work with these organizations promotes collaboration, sustainability and important information relevant to practitioners and the future of practice.

AIA-Accordion

American Planning Association

Did you know that dozens of active practitioners enjoy membership to both AIA and APA?

• AIA President Jeff Potter speaks at Daniel Burnham Forum on Big Ideas

• Advocate for Transportation Legislation (Feb 2012)

American Society of Landscape Architects

ASLA shares the AIA’s commitment to professionalism and promoting well-being in the built environment.

• Designing for Your Health and Well-Being (pdf)

• ASLA Convention features AIA Continuing Education

• Advocate for Transportation Legislation (Feb 2012)

Associated Builders and Contractors

In addition to offering discounted AIA Contract Documents to ABC members, the two organizations enjoy active local relationships through golf tournaments, meetings and seminars!

• Green Contractor Certification program

• “AIA & ABC Announce Contract Documents Partnership Agreement”

Associated General Contractors of America

For more than 50 years the AIA / AGC Joint Committee have developed tools and resources to build industry cooperation and collaboration.

• CEO Talk with Steve Sandherr & Robert Ivy

• AIA / AGC Primer on Project Delivery – 2^nd Edition

• A Report on the AIA / AGC Industry Summit (2006)

National Association of Home Builders

Residential construction accounts for nearly 14% of gross billings at AIA firms. With NAHB, AIA supports members working in the residential sector.

• NAHB offers Continuing Education for AIA members

• Member experience: Ryan Taylor, AIA meets with NAHB & AIA

National Organization of Minority Architects

Did you know that Marshall Purnell, FAIA, has served as president of both AIA (2008) and NOMA (1985-1987)?

• Shadow an Architect

• Toolkit for Component Collaboration

• “AIA President Jeff Potter, FAIA, Juries NOMA Student Design Competition”

Public Architecture / 1%

Public Architecture / The 1%

AIA Firms who have committed to the 1% Program commit more than $26M in services annually.

• Pro Bono Design Handbook for Designers

• Get Connected: Find Projects

• The AIA supports members participating in The 1%

• Member experience: WRNS Studio

• Case Study: STUDIOS Architecture / Kiva Headquarters

Society for Design Administration

AIA regularly shares information with SDA to promote professional development across memberships.

• AIA Members help CANstruction raise 17.5 lb of food

• SDA hosts booth at AIA Convention

USGBC / GBCI

United States Green Building Council /Green Building Certification Institute

The AIA is an organizational member of USGBC and a cooperating sponsor of the IgCC.

• International Green Construction Code

• AIA / USGBC Haiti Design Fellow

• Local Leaders in Sustainability: Special Report from Sundance

Return to top of page

Public Education Organizations

Public Education Organizations are leaders in supporting public education, awareness and outreach for the profession of architecture. AIA supports these efforts through an array of efforts to promote the value and understanding of our members to the larger public.

AIA-Accordion

ACE Mentor

Did you know that more than a dozen AIA Components support ACE Mentor program in the community?

• About ACE

• Mentoring Best Practices

• Component experience: San Antonio

American Architectural Foundation

American Architectural Foundation (AAF)

The AIA/AAF Minority/Disadvantaged Scholarship provides assistance to minority and disadvantaged students pursuing NAAB-accredited professional degrees.

• AIA AAF Collections at the Library of Congress

• Mayors’ Institute on City Design

• Annual Accent on Architecture Gala

Association of Architecture Organizations

Association of Architecture Organizations (AAO) | Architecture + Design Education Network (A+DEN)

AIA is a founding member of AAO, a member-based network that supports many organizations for architecture including some AIA Components.

National Building Museum

National Building Museum (NBM)

Did you know that National Building Museum offers dozens of AIA CES programs annually, including Spotlight on Design?

• Spotlight on Design Lecture Series

• Unbuilt Washington Exhibition

• CEO Talk: Robert Ivy & Chase Rynd

National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

Since 2009, NEA has funded more than 131 creative place projects and given millions of dollars to innovative architects and their communities.

• Our Town grant program

• Art Works grant program

• Member experience: Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, designs creative corridor in Alabama

Return to top of page

International Organizations

The AIA manages more than a dozen relationships, accords, and memberships with international architecture organizations around the world.

AIA-Accordion

International Union of Architects

International Union of Architects (UIA)

The UIA (International Union of Architects) is an international nongovernmental organization founded in Lausanne in 1948 to unite architects from all nations throughout the world, regardless of nationality, race, religion or architectural school of thought, within the federations of their national associations. Did you know that the AIA was a founding member of the UIA?

• Practice around the world: country specific information for practicing architecture overseas

• UIA Accord on Recommended International Standards of Professionalism in Architectural Practice and Recommended Guidelines

• An international network of architects

Federación Panamericana de Asociaciones de Arquitectos