Blogs

Voices of Advocacy: Chris Hellstern

By Lisa Richmond, Hon. AIA posted 4 days ago
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An interview with Chris Hellstern, AIA, about Washington’s Buy Clean Buy Fair, the importance of alliances, and why architects make great advocates. Lisa Richmond and Joyce Raybuck A Career Built Around Sustainability “I’ve been working in sustainability for about 20 years. I’m a licensed architect, but my role at Miller Hull is primarily as our Living Building Challenge and Sustainability Director, which lets me touch many projects. To make broader change, I also serve on AIA CCADE, AIA COTE , AIA Washington and other committees, with a strong policy focus on embodied carbon.” Washington’s Policy ...
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Current NAC State Representatives (STARS)

By Kathleen McCormick posted 7 days ago
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State++ Representative Alabama Melissa Sheffield, Assoc. AIA Alaska OPEN Arizona Sara Ghaemi, Assoc. AIA Arkansas Justice Barnes, Assoc. AIA California Michael Cintron, Assoc. AIA Colorado Mo Zaina, Assoc. AIA Connecticut Ersa Llakmani, Assoc. AIA Delaware Christine Olshan, Assoc. AIA District of Columbia Danielle McCormick, Assoc. AIA Florida Alyssa Scherger, Assoc. AIA Georgia Chris Tromp, Assoc. AIA Hawaii Erin Wong, Assoc. AIA Idaho Beniya Shakya, Assoc. AIA Illinois Nese Altintas, Assoc. AIA Indiana Tyler Kennedy, Assoc. AIA ...
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Current NAC Advisory Committee

By Kathleen McCormick posted 7 days ago
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Chair Brett Wedding, AIA Vice Chair Katie Cherrier, Assoc. AIA Associate Representative to the AIA Board of Directors Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA Associate Representative to the AIA Strategic Council Heli Shah, Assoc. AIA Advocacy Director Ricardo Maga Rojas, Assoc. AIA Knowledge Director Abigail Korn, Assoc. AIA Climate Action Director Ayushi Suyash Toraskar, Assoc. AIA Value Director Rachel Wiesbrock, Assoc. AIA Strategic Partnerships Director Asa Santa Cruz, Assoc. AIA COF Liaison Bill Hercules, FAIA CACE Liaison Jensen Zack Staff Liaison Kathleen McCormick ...
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Letter from the chairs, January 2026

By Daniel Overbey, AIA posted 8 days ago
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By: Daniel Overbey, AIA, and Jacob Werner, AIA As Co-Chairs of The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2030 Commitment Working Group, we are excited to highlight the growing success of the Commitment, as evidenced by our most recent reporting. We are looking ahead to 2026 with excitement and hope, while still acknowledging that there is still much work to be done if we are to realize the Commitment’s full potential. Many of the technologies required for deep carbon reduction are just coming to maturity, and the design tools for robust analysis and optimization are continually improving. We look forward to working with the hundreds of firms that lead ...
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Letter from the 2026 Small Firm Exchange Chair​ - Darguin Fortuna, AIA

By Darguin Fortuna, AIA posted 10 days ago
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AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) Darguin Fortuna, AIA, NCARB I am honored to serve as the 2026 Chair of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx). As one of AIA’s largest and most diverse Member Groups, SFx represents the majority of architectural practices across the country—firms that are deeply embedded in their communities and responsible for an outsized share of the profession’s built work. Small firms are often where innovation, experimentation, and leadership first emerge. They are also where the pressures of practice—financial risk, staffing, mental health, succession, and sustainability—are felt most acutely. SFx exists to ensure these firms are not ...
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AIA Practice Management Digest - January 2026

By Eva Read-Warden, AIA posted 12 days ago
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Survival Skills: Income and Business Development in the Digital Age Exploring strategies to thrive—and not just survive—in an era of digital disruption and economic uncertainty Letter from the editor By Eva Read-Warden, AIA, Principal, Arkitex Studio I don’t know about you, but to me the times are a bit perplexing. How can we be so busy yet so concerned about getting the next job? I know this is not a new issue in our profession, but for me it seems this “phase” is lasting longer than usual. The aura that what lies ahead is unknown, politically and economically, is now the way of life and not something that will pass with an upcoming ...
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Passive income for architects

By Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA posted 12 days ago
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by Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA With the current architect billing index trending downward in some markets and inquiries and backlog decreasing, architects may consider other ways to earn an income. So, what are some possible ways for an architect and firms to diversify their income and build financial resilience? One promising avenue is passive income: revenue that continues to generate with minimal active involvement. Architects’ unique creativity, use of digital tools, and niche expertise present a real opportunity in the growing global market for design related content. Let’s look at a few products architects can create and the methods they can ...
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Breaking the mold: One firm's journey to becoming a "Design Collaborative" and why it matters

By Eva Read-Warden, AIA posted 12 days ago
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By Richard Friedman, Founder & President at Friedman & Partners AEC firms often re-examine and refine their mission, vision, or core values. Many firms do this during annual strategic planning, making a tweak here, a readjustment there. Much less frequently do firms completely revamp their direction and brand in the way that Bergmeyer did in 2020, when the firm transitioned from a traditional architecture/interior design practice into a “design collaborative.” Let’s look at what drove this transformation, along with the process and ultimate benefits. The Value of Being a “Design Collaborative” A cynic might see Bergmeyer’s ...
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The new currency of brand trust: Why architecture firms must adapt in the digital age

By Eva Read-Warden, AIA posted 12 days ago
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By Judy Sparks Walk into any design firm today, and you’ll hear a familiar refrain: “We’ve built our reputation on relationships and doing great work.” And it’s true. Architecture, at its best, has always been a relationship business built on trust, craft, and collaboration. But here’s what’s changing: trust now begins long before the first handshake. For years, firms have invested tremendous energy in curating the perfect image—the photograph that captures the light just right, the angle that makes the building sing. And while visual storytelling will always have a place, today’s decision-makers are no longer choosing partners based on a gallery ...
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Change how you think about AI. Change how you think about yourself.

By Eva Read-Warden, AIA posted 12 days ago
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By Kristen Kautz These two shifts are the whole game when it comes to using AI successfully. When I talk about AI, I always start here. My philosophy is that AI creates a “super you.” You are not handing your brain over to a robot. You are putting on a cape and gaining powers. You become a superhero (and seriously, who doesn’t want to be a superhero). AI plus you equals super you. You become a better, faster, clearer version of yourself. But that only works if you change how you think about this technology. AI is not “just the new internet.” It is not “just another piece of software.” If you treat it like that, you will miss what is actually ...
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Introduction to an AIA Trust post: Thinking about starting your own design or architecture firm?

By Rebecca Edmunds, AIA posted 12 days ago
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Introduction by Rebecca W. E. Edmunds, AIA In the current professional landscape, the architecture and design industries are continually reshaped by forces like corporate mergers, acquisitions, and large-scale restructuring. While these periods of market consolidation can feel uncertain, they often become a powerful catalyst for change among talented professionals. For many who possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep-seated desire to control their own professional destiny, these moments of flux are the perfect prompt to take the leap: starting their own firm. Launching an independent design or architecture practice is a monumental undertaking, ...
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Letter from the 2026 AAH President, Pierce McVey, AIA

By Alison Karfeld posted 15 days ago
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Dear Academy of Architecture for Health members, It is both humbling and invigorating to serve as the 2026 president of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health. A big thank you to those preceding me during my tenure on the board—Ellen Taylor, Kenneth Webb, Michelle Trott, and Southern Ellis. Their leadership has been inspirational and leaves big footsteps to fill. As I reflect on and share the importance of the AAH to the greater health care design community, I am struck by the organization’s longevity and impact. Along with our pillar organizations—the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA), The Facility Guidelines Institute ...
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AIA responds to U.S. withdrawal from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

By Lisa Ferretto, AIA posted 15 days ago
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AIA responds to U.S. withdrawal from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Statement www.aia.org/statement-us-withdrawal-unfccc Linked in post
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AIA Statement on U.S. withdrawal from UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

By Lisa Ferretto, AIA posted 15 days ago
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AIA responds to U.S. withdrawal from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Statement below from www.aia.org/statement-us-withdrawal-unfccc Linked in post ___ " WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 9, 2026 The United States withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and several other treaties is deeply troubling, and leaves communities around the world more vulnerable to the real impacts of climate change and unsustainable development. The global response will continue without us-as it ...
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COD January Letter from the Chair, John Myefski, AIA

By Alison Karfeld posted 18 days ago
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I'm excited to serve as the 2026 Chair of the AIA Committee on Design. It has been a pleasure to work with past chairs during my time as chair of sponsorship. This experience has been both fulfilling and invaluable in preparing me for my new role. I'm following in the footsteps of many leaders who, since 1969, have advanced design within AIA. I would like to extend special thanks to our most recent Chair, Craig Brandt, FAIA, for his passion and dedication in delivering a fabulous year of events, including conferences in Miami and Helsinki. I would also like to thank our Past Chair, Susan Chin, FAIA, who nominated me for this role and has been a delight to work ...
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Current YAF State Representatives (YARs)

By Kathleen McCormick posted 19 days ago
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State Representative Alabama Ashley Askew, AIA Alaska ChungTse Lin, AIA Arizona Sarah Potzler, AIA Arkansas Lauren Miller, AIA California Magdalini Vraila, AIA Colorado Lauren Falcon, AIA Connecticut James Regnier, AIA DC Mika Naraynsingh, AIA Delaware Lauren DeSimone, AIA Florida Bryce Bounds, AIA Georgia Adam Drummond, AIA Hawaii Krithika Penedo, AIA Idaho Katie Darter Bennett, AIA Illinois Raquel Guzman Geara, AIA Indiana Rachel Lindemann, AIA International Jason Holland, AIA Iowa Ben Hansen, AIA Kansas Garric ...
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Current YAF Advisory Committee

By Kathleen McCormick posted 19 days ago
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Name Role Kiara Gilmore, AIA Chair Anastasia Markiw, AIA Vice Chair Sarah Woynicz, AIA Past Chair Nicole Becker, AIA Director, Communications Arlenne Gil, AIA Director, Knowledge Tanya Kataria, AIA Director, Advocacy Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA Director, Community Kaylyn Kirby, AIA Director, Strategy Lisa Lamkin, FAIA College of Fellows Liaison Ashley Thornberry, AIA Strategic Council Liaison Hillary Cole CACE Liaison Get involved! Apps open in May 2026 for 2027 terms. The American Institute of Architects actively promotes a diverse profession, including race, ...
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Current SFx State Representatives

By Kathleen McCormick posted 20 days ago
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State Representative Email Alabama Barrett Penney, AIA barrett@fosheecompanies.com Alaska Tim Whiteley, AIA tim@welshwhiteley.com Arizona Ryan Short, AIA rshort@cottonarchitecture.com Arkansas Tim Maddox, AIA mad@demxarch.com California Marcos Santa Ana, AIA marcos@alloi.us Colorado Emily Adams, AIA emily.adams@neoerainc.com Connecticut Karin Patriquin, AIA karin@patriquinarchitects.com DC Jonathan Kuhn, AIA jonathan@kuhnarchitect.com Delaware VACANT Florida Alex Silva, AIA Asilva@silvaarc.com Georgia Jordache K Avery, AIA jordache@xmetrical.com ...
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Current SFx Board

By Kathleen McCormick posted 20 days ago
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2026 SFx Board Table Legend: Bold = Chair / Bold = Executive Committee Board member Email Alyse Makarewicz, AIA Alysem@ambarchitects.com Bart Shaw, FAIA bart@ibanezshaw.com Christopher Hong, AIA chris@whisperarchitects.com Darguin Fortuna, AIA dfortuna@flow-design-studio.com Jeremiah Russell, AIA jeremiah@roguearch.com Joshua Zinder, AIA jzinder@joshuazinder.com Julie Carpenter julie@aiacincinnati.org Kristen Locke, AIA Klocke@beehyyve.com Marisol Gallagher, AIA marisol@marisolstudios.com Paul Lewandowski, AIA prl@pauldesignsproject.com ...
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HCD at the center of National Housing advocacy - AIA Housing Summit Recap

By Chelsea Johnson, AIA posted 12-19-2025
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The availability and affordability of housing in American communities of all scales and types has continued to worsen in recent years, taking shape as a defining national issue that is impacting social and economic viability. On October 21, 2025, 8 advisory group members of the AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community (HCD) joined leaders at the AIA Housing Summit in Washington, DC, hosted by AIA President Evelyn Lee. The Summit brought together AIA National Leadership, senior leaders from approximately 20 national housing organizations, volunteer leaders, and AIA staff to advance coordinated housing advocacy and action within the AIA and ...
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