Great Spaces, Great Places
Back by popular demand, the second annual mayoral panel at this year’s AIA South Dakota Convention included four leaders representing communities across the state. While their cities vary greatly in geography, economy, diversity and population, the mayors found common ground in the challenges they are all facing in planning for a better future. Moderated by …
Continue reading “Blueprint for Better: Mayoral Panel at AIASD ’20”
Let’s get this out of the way at the top: I’m not a doctor and I won’t presume to understand how Covid-19 affects the human body. I am an architect. Architecture has always been a powerful way to help humans adapt to and thrive in the world around them. When it comes to this pandemic, …
(Sponsored content by Pigott) The following article is reposted from Mien Company, a partner of Pigott, by author Dr. Christina Counts. We are now in the midst of a new school year and American students, teachers, and staff are working through a new normal in classrooms to keep COVID-19 from a resurgence this fall. Many districts …
As member Architects or members of the general public, it’s understandable to question “what are my dues paying for?” and “what does the AIA do for us, anyway?” There are detailed responses to those questions, of course, but right now it’s easiest to just present some tangible evidence of the value of this organization. In …
Continue reading “The AIA is leading the built-environment response to the pandemic.”
Among the silver linings of the worldwide Coronavirus epidemic and associated shutdowns are the drastic improvements to urban air quality, remarkable examples of community building and random kindness, and the opportunity to consider new possibilities for the spaces in which we live, work and play. Here are just a few quick reads on how some …
Continue reading “Rethinking Architecture in the Pandemic Era”
Discussions about how to battle future pandemics through better buildings are becoming commonplace, and the goal of improved interior environments is one aspect that dovetails with sustainability issues championed by the AIA Committee on the Environment. Architects continue to raise the bar on performance, design and flexibility. This ongoing dedication to improving the built environment …
[Cover Image: eugenesergeev/iStock] The following article is reposted from Fast Company, by author Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEEP AP BD+C Police brutality and the coronavirus pandemic are two health crises that disproportionately impact black Americans. Architects, who take an oath to protect the “health, safety, and welfare” of the public, must be part of …
Continue reading “Racism is built into U.S. cities. Here’s how architects can fight back”
By Tim Hawk, FAIA2019-2021 At-large Director, AIA National Board of Directors Members of the American Institute of Architects have stepped forward with unprecedented energy to help peers and communities’ weather the COVID-19 pandemic. As a professor of architectural history, I believe that we respond in part because of our knowledge of history, and our awareness …
Continue reading “June 2020 AIA National Board Outreach Network Report”
Imagine: It’s the fall semester of your senior year of college. You can’t wait to see all of your friends, have late nights in the studio, and take multiple trips to Lowes. Fast forward to your spring break. You have just finished your midterm architecture review and said, “See you later” to your friends and classmates. Little did you know, you probably won’t ever be seeing some of those classmates ever again.
The last AIA Convention’s theme was rural resiliency. At that time, we didn’t know the challenges we have faced the last month or so. I keep coming back to the idea though. I have hope that our state will bounce back. Midwesterners are known for their toughness and ability to weather the storms: their resiliency. This year’s spring meeting was evidence of that attitude. The plan was to hold the meeting in Brookings hosted by SDSU’s chapter of AIAS. The students had put time and thought into an informative agenda. Social distancing changed plans.