If you did not have an opportunity to attend the ArchEx East conference, I highly recommend attending in the future. The recent conference was my first time in attendance, and it provided a unique value and community. The intimacy of the conference provided the perfect opportunity to engage with peers in a meaningful way. I also hosted the Emerging Professionals Roundtable and participated in several others that broke the ice for conversation for the remainder of the week. Look for it in Richmond next year.
I also attended the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) and heard from some of the most amazing women in the profession advancing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The keynotes were inspiring and thought-provoking. It is heart-warming to consider that the entirety of AIA national leadership will be led by women in the next few years and you can already feel a marked difference in their approach. As part of CEO Lakisha Wood’s strategic plan, the WLS will now become an annual, rather than a bi-annual event. Look to attending in Boston next year.
Chapter Spotlight
I wanted to fill you in on some exciting work with AIA Greater Richmond (RVA)’s YAF. They were awarded a 2022 College of Fellows Emerging Professionals component grant this year. Their proposal sought funds to support community engagement efforts this year. From there they established the “COMMUNITY WISH“. This was an experimental installation studying reclaimed materials and modular construction for ease of construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction in new locations. More importantly, it was active research of what kind of spaces and structures we can build in order to engage our community for feedback, interaction, etc. They designed and built the Community Wish pavilion at this year’s Folk Fest which brings an enormous amount of visitors to Richmond’s Brown’s Island. Pictures of the installation are below. Congratulations to everyone involved and keep up the great work!
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Feel free to connect with me, too. What are some ways your firm is working with emerging professionals and young architects? Send me an email or a message on LinkedIn!
As always, I’m here for you.
Carrie Parker, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Associate Vice President at CannonDesign
Young Architect Representative for Virginia to the Young Architect’s Forum, 2022-2024
carrieleeparker.aia@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/carrieleeparker
