Review AIA’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Posted on by cguske

Hello and Happy New Year!

AIA invites you to review the draft of AIA’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and share your insights to ensure our shared vision reflects the needs of our profession and communities. 

After reviewing this document, you can share your feedback through a short survey or join us for a public comment session to share your thoughts directly with AIA leadership and help finalize our path forward.

Here is the copy for the plan in it’s entirety with links embedded:

****************************

Draft Strategic Plan 2026-2030 – Link to Website

This draft strategic plan outlines AIA’s proposed mission, vision, guiding principles, and strategic priorities for the next planning period. 

Mission 

Empowering the architecture profession to create transformative places for every community. 

Vision 

Drive positive change through the power of design and focused advocacy. 

Guiding principles 

These principles guide how AIA interprets and implements this strategic plan. They clarify the intent behind the goals and strategies and connect AIA’s mission and vision to long-term commitments to equity, resilience, climate leadership, and the public good. 

Architecture is for everyone 

Design should serve all people and communities, ensuring access, inclusion, and relevance across the built environment. 

The future is regenerative 

We must move beyond minimizing harm to create buildings and places that restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and support a climate-positive future. 

Together we amplify impact 

Collaboration across the profession and with partners expands our ability to achieve meaningful, lasting change. 

Strategic goals & strategies 

The following goals define what AIA seeks to advance over the next strategic period. Each goal is supported by focused strategies that outline how progress will be achieved. 

Goal 1 

Elevate architects as essential leaders of the built environment. 

Strategies 

  1. Strengthen advocacy capacity at the local, state, and federal levels through actionable guidance and cross-component support. 
  2. Support members in communicating their unique value to clients, partners, and communities. 
  3. Lead targeted public outreach and develop engagement tools that reinforce the role of architects in advancing community well-being and quality of life. 

Goal 2 

Equip members to drive practice innovation and design performance. 

Strategies 

  1. Emphasize business acumen and financial sustainability within professional development offerings that strengthen practice success. 
  2. Expand and modernize access to shared knowledge and resources across practice settings, design roles, and career paths. 
  3. Integrate emerging technologies into practical tools that support improved firm performance and project outcomes. 

Goal 3 

Advance an equitable and accessible profession that inspires entry, advancement, and participation across the career journey. 

Strategies 

  1. Increase representation and retention of underrepresented populations pursuing licensure, firm leadership, and AIA involvement across career stages. 
  2. Partner with aligned organizations to connect architects and design professionals as mentors with underrepresented students from kindergarten through college, supporting entry into and success in the field. 
  3. Strengthen geographic reach and cross-component coordination to ensure consistent access to career-shaping resources and networks across the profession. 

Goal 4 

Accelerate progress on climate change mitigation and adaptation, with architects leading solutions for buildings, infrastructure, and communities. 

Strategies 

  1. Support wider adoption of design excellence tools and climate action commitments into everyday practice outcomes. 
  2. Make the business case for a high-performance built environment-zero-carbon, healthy, equitable, and resilient-and share practical ways for members to apply it. 
  3. Work with industry leaders across the building community to align metrics and drive momentum for regenerative design beyond 2030. 

How to provide feedback 
We invite feedback on the clarity, focus, and completeness of this draft plan to help finalize AIA’s path forward. We welcome input on whether the proposed mission, vision, principles, goals, and strategies reflect the priorities needed to advance the profession and the built environment. 

After reviewing this draft, you can share your feedback through a short survey and join an open comment session to share your thoughts directly with AIA leadership. 

Differing Minds: Considering Neurodiversity in School Design (1 LU | HSW) – 10:45-11:45am

Posted on by Delaney Ogden

2025 ArchEx | Differing Minds: Considering Neurodiversity in School Design (1 LU | HSW) – 10:45-11:45am

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Please add your AIA member number to have credit reported to your AIA transcript.

Strategic Councilor

Posted on by cguske

The AIA Strategic Council (“The Council”) is a diverse group of 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 seeks to prioritize and make advancements by informing the AIA Board of Directors and other Institute bodies about important professional issues and opportunities. The Council is not an AIA governing body, which allows it the freedom to explore issues outside of current constructs. The Council’s primary focus is the future of the profession.

Ideal characteristics of a Strategic Councilor

While the form and operation of the Strategic Council have continued to evolve since its inception in 2015, engaged and effective Councilors over this time have several shared qualities.

We are seeking individuals with the following characteristics:

  • A true representative of our state’s members, that can bring forth the diversity of perspectives within our various communities
  • An exemplary communicator, a listener, and advocate who will capably serve as an active conduit for information and ideas to and from our members.
  • A natural leader, able to inspire, collaborate and work with others, who possess a bias for action.
  • A reflective thinker who offers expertise, experience, insight, and/or unique perspectives.

Commitments and Expectations of a Strategic Councilor

Click here to review the latest Handbook for the Strategic Council>>

Application Requirements

AIA Membership – Applicant must be an AIA Virginia member in good standing.

Letter of Interest – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking election. Limit one page.

Letter of Nomination – From an AIA local or state component Board Member. Indicate the connection between the Strategic Council position and the Nominee’s leadership qualities. Limit one page Letter of Recommendation – From an AIA member. Indicate the Nominee’s qualifications for the Strategic Council position. Limit one page.

Letter of Support – From Employer. A Principal (or Officer) within the candidate’s firm must commit to supporting the candidate in fulfilling the role’s obligations. Limit one page on company letterhead.

Personal Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (It is NOT in the applicant’s best interest to simply submit a firm resume with project experience).

Selection Process/Schedule

Prospective candidates should send their application materials to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee to confirm eligibility. The Board of Directors will review candidates and make an appointment during its Meeting scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. AIA Virginia informs AIA of the appointment no later than Wednesday, September 10, 2025. A two-year term commences December 2025.

Young Architect Representative

Posted on by cguske

A YAR is a Young Architect Representative; an AIA member who has been licensed for less than 10 years and who serves as a liaison between the state chapter (in our case, AIA Virginia) and the Young Architects Forum (YAF) focusing on issues that concern Emerging Professionals (EPs; architects in the early stage of their career). The YAR serves a two-year term, beginning January 1, 2026.

YAR Information Page from AIA

Roles and duties of the Young Architect Representative (YAR)

Young Architect Representatives represent young architects within AIA at the state and national level. They are the primary connection between local AIA chapters and the national YAF Advisory Committee (AdCom).

The Young Architect Representative communicates information from AIA National to local emerging professional groups and vice versa by:

  • Maintaining quarterly communication with all YAF chapters within their state
  • Serving as a conduit between local YAF chapters and the AdCom

The Young Architect Representative contributes to the direction and planning of the YAF by:

  • Participating in the YAF Annual Meeting and attending YAF full committee conference calls
  • Working with the AdCom on various national issues through participation in at least one YAF Focus Group
  • Attending AIA Leadership Summit and AIA National Conference, when possible

The Young Architect Representative serves young architects at the state level by:

  • Providing reports regarding the activities of the YAF and emerging professionals groups when requested
  • Maintaining quarterly communication with the following counterparts from their state: National Associates Committee (NAC) state representatives, Strategic Council representatives, and College of Fellows (COF) regional representative
  • Attending monthly AIA Leadership Exchange calls
  • Suggesting or encouraging young architects for nomination for state or national awards, positions or committees/subcommittees.

Young Architect Representatives have the option to represent YAF within the larger AIA National community by serving as a member of or liaison to any of the following: Strategic Council work groups, Knowledge Communities, Board Committees, Member Interest Groups, or Task Forces. These opportunities may vary from year to year.

Additional responsibilities may be required by each respective state. Young Architect Representatives are required to work with their states to ensure that expectations from state leadership are clearly defined and met. The AdCom encourages all applicants to discuss the position with their state leadership (either the state AIA President and/or Executive Director) to fully understand the role and commitment that the Young Architect Representative will have to their respective state prior to submitting an application.

Activities of a YAR

Every month this position will require 4 to 5 hours of your time. The state representative should expect to participate in the following calls and meetings:

  • Full committee Annual meeting (Q1, travel and lodging paid by AIA National)
  • Bi-monthly Full Committee Calls (2 hours each call)
  • Working group calls (frequency depends on the workgroup and their current load, but assume 1-2 hours a month)
  • Special calls as needed (generally no longer than an hour)
  • AIA Leadership Exchange calls (1 hour quarterly)

Application Requirements
AIA Membership – Applicant must be an AIA member in good standing within AIA Virginia (AIA Blue Ridge, AIA Central Virginia, AIA Coastal Virginia, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Richmond) and must be licensed not more than 10 years at the time of submission.

Letter of Interest – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking election. Limit one page.

Letter of Nomination – From an AIA local or state component Board Member. Indicate the connection between the YAR position and the Nominee’s leadership qualities. Limit one page.

Letter of Recommendation – From an AIA member. Indicate the Nominee’s qualifications for the YAR position. Limit one page.

Letter of Support – From Employer. A Principal (or Officer) within the candidate’s firm must commit to supporting the candidate in fulfilling the role’s obligations. Limit one page on company letterhead.

Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (It is NOT in the applicant’s best interest to simply submit a firm resume with project experience).

Timeline

Prospective candidates should send their application materials to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee to confirm eligibility. The Board of Directors will review candidates and make an appointment during its meeting scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. Notification of new YARs are sent to the new YAR and the AIA YAF staff liaison during October 2025. Positions begin in January 2026, with AIA National-paid travel to the 2026 YAF Annual Meeting (date and location TBD).

A Call for the State Licensing Advisor

Posted on by cguske

The Architect Licensing Advisors Community is a group of individuals committed to assisting licensure candidates and architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity. Architect licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to architecture students, licensure candidates, and architects. The program is led by NCARB and jointly supported by the American Institute of Architects. Appointees serve a two-year term.

As an architect licensing advisor, you’ll gain access to resources and support to ensure you’re equipped to help candidates, including access to NCARB’s online advisors community, exclusive webinars and training resources, and more. Plus, you’ll have direct NCARB staff support for questions and guidance.

Activities of a State Licensing Advisor

Every month this position will require 12 to 16 hours of your time. A licensing advisor is expected to engage with candidates in your community on a regular basis and stay active in the community by:

  • Maintaining a thorough understanding of the AXP, ARE, and NCARB certification requirements, objectives, and resources
  • Connecting with local candidates—both by request and proactively—to provide licensure information and guidance
  • Participating in Architect Licensing Advisors Community training and development events
  • Communicating with your local licensing board to maintain a thorough understanding of licensure requirements and procedures
  • Attending AIAVA member events; e.g., Quarterly Component Calls, Architecture Exchange East, Town Halls in local components, etc.
  • Making sure that your contact info in My NCARB is up-to-date so local candidates can reach you
  • Every other year, NCARB hosts the Licensing Advisors Summit, an exciting and engaging conference where you can meet NCARB staff, engage with other advisors, hear updates on NCARB programs, and explore factors that impact the pursuit of licensure. NCARB waives summit registration fees for all licensing advisors and provides travel funding for many advisors. The next summit will be held in 2027 (date and location TBD).

Application Requirements
AIA Membership – Applicant must be an AIA member in good standing within AIA Virginia (AIA Blue Ridge, AIA Central Virginia, AIA Coastal Virginia, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Richmond) and must be licensed not more than 10 years at the time of submission.

Letter of Interest – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking election. Limit one page.

Letter of Nomination – From an AIA local or state component Board Member. Indicate the connection between the State Licensing Advisor position and the Nominee’s leadership qualities. Limit one page.

Letter of Recommendation – From an AIA member. Indicate the Nominee’s qualifications for the licensing advisor position. Limit one page.

Letter of Support – From Employer. A Principal (or Officer) within the candidate’s firm must commit to supporting the candidate in fulfilling the role’s obligations. Limit one page on company letterhead.

Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (It is NOT in the applicant’s best interest to simply submit a firm resume with project experience).

Prospective candidates should send their application materials to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee to confirm eligibility. The Board of Directors will review candidates and make an appointment during its Meeting scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025 for a term commencing on September 1, 2025.

AIA Virginia Associate Director

Posted on by cguske

The Associate Director is an AIA Associate member who serves a two-year term on the Board of Directors.

Prospective candidates should send a letter of interest, a resume, and a headshot to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee to confirm eligibility. The Board of Directors will approve the full slate of candidates during its Meeting scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. The slate will be announced to members in advance of the elections that will be held during the Annual Meeting of the Membership at Architecture Exchange East in Richmond, November 5 to 7, 2025. Terms of those elected will commence at the BOD Meeting scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025.

AIA Virginia Treasurer

Posted on by cguske

During a two-year term, the Treasurer serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, chairs the Finance and Audit Committees, presides over financial reports and records, and assures that all monies, funds, securities, and properties of the organization are managed properly.

Prospective candidates should send a letter of interest, a resume, and a headshot to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee to confirm eligibility. The Board of Directors will approve the full slate of candidates during its Meeting scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. The slate will be announced to members in advance of the elections that will be held during the Annual Meeting of the Membership at Architecture Exchange East in Richmond, November 5 to 7, 2025. Terms of those elected will commence at the BOD Meeting scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025.

AIA Virginia President-Elect

Posted on by cguske

President-elect is a one-year position at the beginning of a three-year term of service. During the first year the President-elect serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, chairs the Nominating Committee, and presides at meetings in the absence of the President. Following the initial year, the individual then serves one year as President (presiding over the organization), and thereafter one year as Past President.

Prospective candidates should send a letter of interest, a resume, and a headshot to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA, at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee to confirm eligibility. The Board of Directors will approve the full slate of candidates during its Meeting scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. The slate will be announced to members in advance of the elections that will be held during the Annual Meeting of the Membership at Architecture Exchange East in Richmond, November 5 to 7, 2025. Terms of those elected will commence at the BOD Meeting scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025.

Fire Facilities Design Awards

Posted on by cguske

The Fire Industry Education Resource Organization’s (F.I.E.R.O.*) Fire Station Design Symposium and Fire Facilities Design Awards Program seek to enhance the understanding of fire officials, mayors, city managers, budget directors, architects and others of the functional requirements of a modern fire station and raise a fire department’s expectations regarding the architectural possibilities in a fire facilities design project.

Design Awards Information>>

The Hermitage Museum Garden Loos

Posted on by Delaney Ogden

The Hermitage (c1908) grounds boast of breathtaking vistas out to the expanses of the Lafayette River and Elizabeth River. The Hermitage is a bucolic experience only minutes from downtown and home to a nationally recognized art collection spanning 5,000 years, changing indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Originally a home, the architecture including the associated out-buildings are stunning examples of the American Arts & Crafts movement. The home’s historic carriage house is home to the Visual Arts Studio.

In addition to providing an exceptional context for indoor and outdoor art installations, The Hermitage is heavily sought for weddings and special events including several outdoor festivities and con­certs, attracting sizable crowds. What do crowds require? Toilets!

The facility’s needs of the crowds could not be accommodated in the home architecturally, func­tionally or in a code compliant manner. Even as a single out-building proximate to the events, the provision for publicly accessible restrooms with interior circulation, appropriate lavatory and mirror space required a building footprint that would easily overpower the gentle scale and form of the home and gardens. 

The solution is a contextual response to the porta-potty. Creating small code compliant gender inclusive / single use stalls and bundling them to a scale that extends the graceful scale of the grounds. Set in the context of the Hermitage’s renowned English gardens and seamless with the natural woodlands, the new facility was named ‘The Garden Loos.’  The wooded site is also an educational wetland, which presented the design challenges of a major flood zone. The design incorporated flood proof construction for the first three feet above finish floor and flood gates at the  two flanking exterior walls, so the building can withstand a major flooding event.

Like a geode, the exterior responds to the context and the interior is full of surprises and delight. A polished stainless-steel wall reflects the garden to those who walk by and is a mirror for guests to enjoy the opportunity for selfies and personal expression, not to mention a bride adjusting her veil!  The integration of the Loos into the garden included preserving a brick and ironwork garden wall, a striking feature of the Loos’s interior architecture, where splashes of garden colors create a simple, artistic and memorable interior to each restroom.

The Hermitage Museum Garden Loos
Firm: Hanbury
Project Team: Jane Cady Rathbone, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C and Jeffrey G. Butts, Jr., Assoc. AIA