Pressroom

Contact: Suzanna Wight, AIA
202.626.7325
swight@aia.org

For immediate release:

Washington, D.C. – June 17, 2010 – George Miller, FAIA, President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Song Chunhua, Hon. AIA, President of the Architectural Society of China (ASC), sign an Accord on Professionalism renewing the relationship between the two organizations. The event, taking place during the 2010 AIA annual convention and exposition in Miami, marks the fourth accord over a seventeen-year relationship. The basic intent of the accord is to assure and promote the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and competence among architects in China and the United States, as well as mutual understanding and fellowship between architects in the two countries. The accord also covers cooperation on areas such as education, training and communication.

Many years ago the AIA developed a close relationship with the ASC. This led to the signing of an Accord on Professionalism in 1993, which was renewed in 1997 and 2004. In 2009 the AIA and ASC signed an agreement to extend the spirit of the accord while negotiations continued. Gene Schnair, FAIA, 2009 chair of the AIA International Committee, integral to those talks by supporting the discussions while working on a project in Beijing, said “the accord between the AIA and the ASC is very important not only for promoting the highest ethics in architecture but also because we now live in a global marketplace in which fostering international exchange is critical as we move into the future.”

Mr. Miller said “I look forward to activating this partnership through knowledge exchange and other collaborative efforts which will benefit not only the members of each organization but also the communities in which they work.”

The 2010 Accord between the AIA and the ASC will be in effect for five years at the end of which time it can be continued or revised by mutual agreement.

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org

About the Architectural Society of China
Founded in October 1953, the Architectural Society of China (ASC) is an academic society and an independent corporate body registered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China. The objectives and aims of the ASC are: by uniting and organizing the professionals of architectural science and technology, facing the modernization, facing the world, facing the future, to promote the blossom and development of the science and technology, to promote the popularization and generalization of the science and technology, to promote the growth and progress of the scientific and technological talents, making its active contribution to accelerate the pace in realizing the modernization of China. Visit www.chinaasc.org.