Dear Colleagues and Friends,
As my term as Chair of the AIA Interfaith Design Knowledge Community (IDKC) comes to a close, I write with deep gratitude, reflecting on a year rich in dialogue, shared learning, and spiritual depth. It has been an honor to serve this remarkable community of architects, designers, scholars, and seekers who believe in the power of design to connect, heal, and inspire.
This year, we explored the sacred through a variety of lenses—cultural, architectural, and spiritual. In March, our Town Hall brought together voices from across the country to discuss the IDKC’s 2025 theme of adaptive reuse and to share visions for the future of interfaith design. In October, we shared two powerful virtual events: IDKC hosted the webinar Repurposing Sacred Spaces: Navigating Challenges, which explored the complexities of adaptive reuse, and we also shared ACFS’s (Architecture, Culture, and Spirituality Forum) special screening of the Architecture, Culture, and Spirituality Forum documentary Abraham’s Bridge, which sparked rich conversation about interfaith understanding through design.
We were also proud to present the 2025 Faith & Form Awards—live at AIA25 and virtually in July —celebrating excellence in religious architecture and honoring the profound role sacred spaces play in our communities. From our inspiring sessions at the AIA25 Forum in Boston to our ongoing conversations about symbolism, sustainability, and respectful reuse, we’ve demonstrated how design can be a bridge—not just between spaces, but between people and their stories, rituals, and relationships.
I’ve been continually moved by your generosity, your spirit of inquiry, and your commitment to human-centered design. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a student just beginning your journey, your contributions have shaped this community into a vibrant, inclusive space for learning and growth. Your insights have inspired deeper reflection, more intentional listening, and a commitment to leading with humility and grace.
Looking ahead, I’m excited for the future of Interfaith Design. I encourage each of you to stay engaged—whether by attending future town halls and webinars or mentoring the next generation of architects who seek to design with purpose and compassion. Our work is far from finished, and your voice matters.
Thank you for allowing me to serve. This experience has been deeply meaningful and humbling.
With gratitude,
Elisabeth Bakker Johnson, AIA, NCARB, NY CEO, APT RP
Chair, AIA Interfaith Design Knowledge Community