by: AIA New York
Earlier this month, over 15,000 attendees gathered in Washington, D.C. for the AIA24 Conference on Architecture & Design. It was the largest gathering for the annual conference since it took place in New York City in 2018, providing extensive opportunities for networking, celebration, community building and continuing education.
New conference additions for 2024 included special conference tracks developed for new attendees, such as for emerging professionals, building business acumen, and integrating AI into the architectural design and process. The schedule on Wednesday, June 5, saw a longer format, featuring a symposium in addition to the institute’s annual meeting, candidate caucuses, and elections.
Delegates to the annual meeting approved a bylaw change in the amendments to address termination of membership for misconduct, provide clarity on the At-Large Director appointments to the Board of Directors, and accept governance edits. Delegates defeated several motions for adjustments to AIA membership categories and status; discussion of those motions focused on the need for more dialogue to ensure that while broadening the AIA tent, the institute retains a focus on the value of the practice of architecture and of registered architects.
Delegates also approved three of four resolutions directing efforts towards documenting and promoting architects’ agencies to affect health outcomes through the design of spaces, an exploration of governance structure, and the inclusion of additional under-represented groups in the equity language of the 2021-2025 strategic plan. A resolution to require virtual attendance options for the AIA Annual Conference on Architecture and Women’s Leadership Summit was rejected.
Three new leaders have been elected to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board of Directors, to serve terms beginning December 13, 2024.
• Illya Azaroff, FAIA, as 2025 President-elect/2026 President
• Joshua Flowers, FAIA, as 2025-2026 Secretary
• Matthew Toddy, AIA, as 2025-2027 At-Large Director
AIA members interested in serving as candidates for the 2026 AIA Board of Directors should direct their questions to AIA Secretary Britt Lindberg, FAIA, c/o Caitlin Couture, CAE, Senior Director, Governance & Awards at caitlincouture@aia.org.
While these important governance issues took place, the conference teemed with lectures, tours, and gatherings for a wide variety of affinity groups and Knowledge Communities which provided a rich exchange of ideas. Each morning kicked off with inspiring keynote speakers—author Arthur C. Brooks focused on achieving wellness through mindful goal setting, Dr. Sanjay Gupta on designing for Health and Safety, and Oscar winner Ruth Carter on storytelling and the design process for her costume designs. The schedule featured many AIANY members and friends from across the state as presenters: leading tours of “The Wharf” area of D.C., exploring the business climate for residential architects as part of the CRAN Forum, discussing firm practices to promote diversity within the Large Firm Roundtable, and introducing case studies of high-performing building construction and energy efficiency, just to name a few.
Many individuals and firms were also recognized and celebrated for their professional achievements. The AIA Bookstore was abuzz and featured a number of author book signings, including one by Alan Hantman, FAIA, for his new publication Under the Dome, and by the Immigrant Architects Coalition for their publication Prospering in the US, which includes contributions by AIANY ENYA Co-chair Tooba Jalal, Assoc. AIA, and AIANY Board Member Vivian W. Lee, FAIA, LEED AP.
Ten chapter members were elevated to the College of Fellows at the Investiture on Thursday, and Tannia Chavez, International Assoc. AIA, received one of the five Associate Awards conferred. The Honors and Awards Gala on Friday recognized works from several New York firms at a stellar dinner and afterparty in the National Building Museum. The Tokyo International Forum by Rafael Vinoly Architects received the Twenty-Five Year Award, which recognizes a building that has stood the test of time for 25-35 years and continues to set standards of excellence for its architectural design and significance.
The weekend was full of skill building, networking, and celebration across all sectors of the industry—we hope to see you at the AIA Conference on Design & Architecture in Boston in June 2025!