Illya Azaroff, FAIA, inaugurated as AIA 2026 President
Azaroff is an architect, geographer, and internationally recognized leader in disaster response, climate adaptation, resilient design, and regenerative planning strategies with over 30 years experience.
WASHINGTON – December 8, 2025 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is pleased to announce the inauguration of Illya Azaroff, FAIA, as its 102nd president.
Azaroff is an architect, geographer, and internationally recognized leader in disaster response, climate adaptation, resilient design, and regenerative planning strategies with over 30 years experience.
“Architects are at the forefront of designing buildings and spaces that can withstand nature's fury,” said Azaroff in his inaugural address. “As AIA President, I will work to ensure architects are empowered to create communities that are better prepared to deal with future disruptions.”
Azaroff is the founder of +LAB architect whose mission is to build resilient capacity while giving underserved communities greater voice and visibility. He is a professor at New York City College of Technology (CUNY). Azaroff works with cities, governing bodies, and design teams around the world to build resilient capacity.
He has served AIA in several key roles, including as the 2021 AIA New York state president, on the Strategic Council (2016-2018), and as founder of DFRR Design for Risk and Reconstruction committee at AIANY (2011-2021). Azaroff holds a Master of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute and bachelor's degrees in Geography and Architecture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Complete leadership information can be found on AIA’s website.
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Jackson, a partner at VCBO Architecture in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been with the 130-person firm since 1990, dedicating her career to designing innovative educational environments.
