Social impact
AIA recognized for Materials Pledge by professional society
The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is recognizing The American Institute of Architects (AIA) with its 2022 Power of Associations Awards for the development and implementation of the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge, the Disaster Assistance Program, and the Blueprint for Better (B4B) campaign. The Architecture & Design Materials Pledge is being honored with a Summit Award, ASAE’s top honor recognizing the unique and indispensable role associations play around the world in bettering communities, fostering volunteer efforts, and harnessing the collective will and expertise of their members to ensure a better quality of life. Learn more about the levels, categories, and past winners on ASAE’s website.
Citizen Architect
Sandra Madison, AIA
Sandra Madison is CEO and chairperson of Robert P. Madison International Inc., a Cleveland-based company that was the first Black-owned architectural firm in the Midwest. Madison chaired the Cleveland chapter of AIA’s Women in Architecture and is part of the National Organization of Minority Architects.
Career and the profession
A’22: Architects, exhibitors and a former US president gather in Chicago to define a shared vision
AIA’s first in-person Conference on Architecture in three years took place June 22 to 26 in the architecturally significant city of Chicago. The Conference on Architecture 2022 drew almost 12,000 attendees, all eager to interact in person with fellow architects, speakers, and exhibitors.
Social impact
President Barack Obama appears at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2022
The 44th president discussed how a commitment to sustainability can help solve social issues.
Career and the profession
AIA CEO Lakisha Woods says "her success is tied to their success" at A’22 kickoff
Madam Architect’s Julia Gamolina interviewed AIA’s Executive Vice President and CEO Lakisha Woods on Wednesday, June 22, on the main stage at AIA’s Conference on Architecture 2022 in Chicago. This is Woods’ first conference as AIA’s EVP/CEO, but not, as she noted, her first Conference on Architecture.
AIA Statement on SCOTUS Decision in West Virginia v. EPA
The climate crisis is a crisis of global dimensions, there are no sidelines. AIA believes that the West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a setback in the climate crisis fight. AIA also believes that the decision should strengthen our resolve to partner with and support elected leaders that share our sense of urgency to address the climate crisis.
Design specialty
How architects are advocating for ADUs in high-cost urban areas
In the United States, home prices rose nearly 20% last year, reaching record levels. In light of a lack of supply, neighborhoods zoned for single-family housing are being re-examined by urban planners – and architects – looking for creative ways to address density.
Resilience
Saving vernacular architecture in the climate change era
Vernacular architecture is defined as being constructed from local materials to suit its native setting, indigenous climate, and specific local needs. The enigmatic nature of vernacular architecture can make it complicated to identify, steward and protect during disaster recovery.