Strategic Council
Formed in 2015, the Strategic Council advances the architecture profession by informing the Board and other Institute bodies about important professional issues, opportunities, and threats. Although it is not an AIA governing body, the Council’s work is vital to AIA’s ability to serve the profession. Section 6.5 of the AIA Bylaws defines in detail the Council’s mission, responsibilities, and composition.
The Council approaches its tasks with an emphasis on an outward and forward-focused vision. In this spirit, the Council focuses on long-term goals and outcomes of AIA’s work rather than the administrative or programmatic efforts that achieve those goals.
Thought leadership
The Council meets to consider topics based on AIA's strategic objectives. From that work, it develops recommendations for the Board's consideration.
Council recruitment
The Council is a diverse group of over 60 forward-thinking leaders, charged with exploring new ideas and solutions to significant issues facing the profession of architecture and its role in society. The Council recruits members annually with the intention that these At-large positions will bring diverse viewpoints to the Council that might not be otherwise represented. This includes people from allied professions, futurists, educators, and other professionals who would not typically become council members through the state representative election process.
Download the 2023 Strategic Council Handbook >
Learn more about AIA, the Council, and their recruitment efforts >
Download Strategic Council reports
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Scalable Climate Action
This report represents the work of the Scalable Climate Action Group (“the Group”) of the AIA Strategic Council. The report includes a summary of the research and observations from a four-month effort based on the following charge: The Scalable Climate Action Group will focus on identifying how to catalyze a longterm “snowball effect” so that all practitioners are motivated and able to engage in daily climate action through their practice, client work, and communities. This aggregating effect should have a measurable impact on the climate impact of the built environment in the next 10 years.
AIA Strategic Plan
AIA has become a catalyst for change, for bold action that develops and delivers solutions to society’s most pressing needs. Architects are positioned at the center of policy discussions surrounding the built environment. AIA has convened broad coalitions to collaborate on solutions. We have generated, curated, and disseminated knowledge that magnifies the transformative impact of design. We have mobilized our members to meet challenges with decisive action.
Social impact
AIA’s Strategic Council champions programs to address sustainable urbanization
Architects in San Diego and Columbus are facilitating efforts through collaboration and community engagement
Social impact
What New Urban Agenda means for architects
A new initiative from AIA's Strategic Council encourages small- and medium-scale communities to embrace the aims of the New Urban Agenda.