For me, our annual AIA Knowledge Leadership Assembly, a gathering of all of the leadership teams from all 21 knowledge communities, is always a time where I am reinvigorated about our profession and what we do as architects. This year’s assembly in Saint Louis was no exception, especially since I had the chance to stay on with a lot of smart and interesting people for the AIA Research Summit where we discussed the future of the architecture profession with regards to quantifiable, peer-reviewed research. Architects working on existing buildings have important opinions and data to share with the larger profession as we work to make smart investments in our future.
The HRC will be focusing on a number of events and activities over the summer and into the fall. We are in the midst of planning for a fall charrette with the AIA Foundation regarding interventions at the Octagon as well as for our fourth annual Taliesin West Colloquium and will be also be holding the juries for the 2017 Peterson and Holland Prizes. We are also planning for events at APTI and the National Preservation Conference in the fall. Many of our discussions within the HRC center around how we can better expand and position the role and need for preservation architects and work with students and young professionals to show them the opportunities in working with existing buildings.
I would like to recognize and thank our sponsors for the continued support. Without them, we could not sponsor many of the events and activities we hold throughout the year.
Lastly, we always have opportunities for you to become involved in the work of the HRC. Please reach out to us at hrc@aia.org if you have any questions, comments or would like to discuss how you can help the AIA promote the work of preservation architects and the preservation community in general.
Have a great summer!
Wendy Hillis, AIA | 2017 Chair, AIA Historic Resources Committee