History American Institute of Architecture Students

1 history

1.1 nasa: before space age
1.2 nasa asc/aia
1.3 new autonomy: aias, inc.
1.4 growth , prosperity
1.5 heading toward 50th year
1.6 50 years--the gold anniversary

history

timeline of aias history


nasa: before space age

in 1956, architecture students established continuing presence formation of national architectural student association (nasa). chapters established @ of schools of architecture , regional governance network formed students @ first student forum. students elect jim barry (rice institute) first national president. having accomplished task of organizing disparate array of local student activities collective voice, ambitious students of nasa plant seed nationally organized student voice benefit today.

jim barry serves part-time volunteer school funding provided american institute of architects (aia) , washington-area architectural programs. during term, nasa publishes first issue of line magazine, has representatives involved on aia committees , hosts many interesting programs @ octagon. members of nasa attend aia convention in los angeles, special programs designed students.

from nasa asc/aia

in 1958 student organization renamed association of student chapters, aia (asc/aia), goal of bridging members aia upon graduation. however, staff , leaders of aia concerned in years separate student organization. believed conflict objective of encouraging students maintain memberships both organizations. @ 1960 student convention (held on campus of university of california @ berkeley) aia board of directors proposed abolish asc/aia. john richards, faia, president of aia states, ... [the student affiliations] of past had not been successful had been hoped, , feeling of staff of aia student organization structure in need of improvement.

students leaders lobbied convince aia board of directors asc/aia chapter system foundation aia , promotion of future generations entering architecture. final remarks made student president charles jones (university of arizona) on matter foreshadow become. in speech general session of aia on april 22, 1960 states, students have no desire make organization large becomes out of hand. however, organization did grow. @ 1970 aia convention student president taylor culver (howard university) leads student revolt. minutes of meeting report culver , fellow students take on podium held aia president , display strength , solidarity in numbers.

the strength of organization continues grow in directions, , responsibilities of officers coincide. in 1972, two-term student president fay d avignon (boston architectural center) elected first female president of organization, , becomes first asc/aia officer take full-time responsibilities in washington, dc. marks new phase in organization s efforts become autonomous voice of architectural students. significant point when professionals , aia relinquish responsibilities asc/aia in many affairs directly impact students. result, asc/aia develops unified national voice students. number of local chapters increases steadily general membership. workload, clear vice president needed on full-time basis in washington, dc. in 1975 president ella hall (north carolina state university) , vice president steve biegel (syracuse university) become first asc/aia national officers work full-time in national office in washington, dc team. term national officers changes july–june schedule, parallel academic schedules.

exhibiting unbridled energy, 1976–1977 team jerry compton (sci-arc) , robert rosenfeld (university of california-berkeley) demonstrate creativity , clarity of vision. notable achievements include solidifying asc/aia growing operations budget, holding first design competition, publishing magazine telesis, , establishing student representation on idp coordinating committee. rosenfeld names crit, launches rebranded publication following year. crit celebrated 40th anniversary in 2016.

the following year, rosenfeld continues on vice president, charles guerin (university of houston) president. these 2 officers start many current traditions of organizations, including initiating first asc/aia chapter honor award , publishing first issues of crit. hold perhaps unusual competition date, concludes construction of hot air balloon launched on pacific ocean.

in 1978 john jeronimo (university of miami) , mary beth permar (clemson university , university of illinois) collaborate on continuation , improvement of crit magazine format true architectural journal. additionally, increase size of board of directors include forum chair , crit editor. overall operating budget of asc/aia passes $100,000 mark first time in history. jeronimo , permar set in motion largest national design competition date, first mcdonald s competition, includes on 650 entries (only surpassed in number of entries vietnam memorial design competition).

a new autonomy: aias, inc.

after several years of continued prosperity, asc/aia arrives @ critical phase. growth of organization beginning outweigh abilities , skills of national officers alone. in 1984, after thorough self-examination, president tom fowler (new york institute of technology-old westbury) accepts recommendations of special task force review structure of organization. report further suggests renaming organization american institute of architecture students (aias), incorporating organization hires first full-time executive director, carl d. costello, exhibits outstanding administrative skills , understanding of interests , concerns of architecture students. year organization officially incorporated in washington, dc american institute of architecture students, inc.

with fresh name , new independence, aias leadership takes task of developing organization. 1985 president scott norberg (university of nebraska) , vice president whitney powers (mississippi state university) dedicate examining issues critical architectural scene. during kent state memorial competition, ian taberner s award-winning proposal rejected university because not citizen of united states, required design competition . sparks debate within aias , becomes issue @ annual meeting. participation @ these meetings exceptional: on 1,100 students attend 1985 aias forum in new york.

growth , prosperity

the first meeting of aias grassroots leadership conference organized during summer of 1985. sets beginning of 30+ year legacy of chapter leaders around country gathering annually @ aias national office in washington, dc discuss chapter issues, community involvement , participate in governance of organization. during 1985, aias holds 3 national design competitions. in norberg s second term, alongside vice president lee waldrep (arizona state university), number of competitions increases four; aias initiates search shelter program address growing issue of homelessness in america; , aias contributes aia education initiative establishing aias outstanding practitioner in education award (which still exists today under different name).

norberg s successor, president kent davidson, combines forces vice president karen cordes (university of arkansas). during term, search shelter program further developed design charrettes across country. aias partners microtecture corporation initiate computer software grants program providing 56 schools of architecture datacad computer software estimated retail value of $1,000,000.

in 1988-1989 aias accepts first chapter outside united states when council of presidents votes accept ryerson polytechnic institute in toronto, ontario (canada). aias strengthens commitment housing homeless issue active participation in habitat humanity program. partners in education program founded. sponsorship-based program provides interested individuals , corporations opportunity support students of architecture , aias.

in 1989-1990 aias moves new office space, increases full-time national office positions five, , makes major investment in desktop publishing software (which expensive @ time). dues structure local chapters revised reflect commitment organization individual member dues, rather lump-sum entire school. 1 substantial outgrowth of revision establishment of active database allows individual mailings of pertinent information each aias member. triumph students year inclusion of standardized naab four-year degree language in college catalogs. mandate initiated aias , adopted 5 collateral architecture organizations following year.

the 1990-1991 term sees aias experience grow addition of thirteen chapters, pushes membership record 156 chapters. additional full-time staff person hired coordinate aias competitions. year s agenda largely affirmation of student commitment environmental issues. environmental action committee (eac) established gather information pertaining environmental issues , relationship design process, , disseminate information fellow students , educators. 2 significant position papers on architectural education deficiencies , degree nomenclature presented collateral organizations aias leaders during term. these included in newly compiled, comprehensive set of aias governing documents.

the 1991-1992 officers, president lynn n. simon (university of washington) , vice president kevin p. mcgillycuddy (washington-alexandria center), emphasize devotion quality of career counseling , internship experience. 5 national directors focus endeavors on minority programs, affordable housing, women in architecture, community involvement , career options. 5 presidents declaration (five architecture collateral presidents) proposes single designation professional degree in architecture, sparks discussion , debate among students, educators , practitioners.

at beginning of 1992-1993 term officers , staff work make office s duties manageable while combating budget deficit. there continued development when office produces new handbook each chapter use on local level, while 1992-1993 national directors produce informational documents on career options , environmentally safe resources studio, , video on women in architecture. new system of regional coordinators set place, aias long range plan developed finished document, , sustainability declaration finalized adoption 4 other collateral organizations. membership @ 7,520.

1993-1994 president garen d. miller (drury college) , vice president christine a. malecki (carnegie mellon university) hire former aias vice president irene dumas tyson executive director. council of presidents (cop) votes double individual dues goal maintain high membership level. indeed, 1993-1994 membership grew 8,025. aias enters information highway e-mail address, involvement on aiaonline network, , develops of all-electronic design competition. cop approves historic policy of aias, requiring speakers invited aias events verify pay interns legally-mandated wages (still required of aias speakers today). following lead of aias, board of directors of association of collegiate schools of architecture (acsa) , aia adopt similar policies.

in 1995 aias ready celebrate forty years of history, including eleven years independent organization. turning corner on major milestone, organization , leaders of aias must confront major challenge. in order continue grow , offer important services, substantial member dues increase necessary. @ 1995 grassroots conference council of presidents offered 3 options membership dues: $12 (the fee @ time), $24 or $36. taking appropriate action, cop votes triple dues $36/school year. unfortunately, consequence of action 42% drop in membership 3,980 members, however, 85% of chapters remain active. aias enters 40th year decreased membership, leaders determined re-grow organization.

the next year, 1997-1998 president robert l. morgan (clemson university) , vice president rachel livingston ahalt (university of colorado denver) spend term focusing on financial viability of national office, , organizing aias legacy members (former officers , directors) defeat proposal aia board of directors investigate creation of student category of membership within aia. proposal sparks cohesiveness among aias members , debates @ 1998 aia convention reaffirm aia members support aias independent organization.

heading toward 50th year

the 21st century begins exploration on quality of educational experience in school-based design studios. board of directors establishes studio culture task force study effects of current architectural education practices on student s health. in december 2002 organization publishes redesign of studio culture outlines 5 values preferred culture in studios: engagement, innovation, optimism, respect , sharing. these values serve basis making changes culture in architectural design studios. 2 years later (in 2004) national architectural accrediting board (naab) adopts 13th condition accreditation (condition 3.5) requiring schools have written policy regarding positive learning environment in studio environments. aias hosts summit in 2004 explore strategies improving studio experience.

the year 2002 sees addition of 2 days grassroots conference focus on leadership education in collaboration professionals georgetown university. aias reaches healthiest financial position @ time strong organizational reserve, new investment policies, , professional management. other organizational improvements included shift in terms of board of directors coincide grassroots conference, creation of personnel , finance committees, initiation of strategic planning process , streamlining of elections process.

in 2003, pam kortan day resigns executive director , board of directors hires michael v. geary, cae. efforts increase better market organization, increase membership, expand fundraising efforts, , prepare 50th anniversary. in 2004 organization adopts new logo , web site. new logo, alternating layered shapes, both reflective of past , forward thinking suggesting progressive organization respectful of history. includes iconic in middle representing design compass , s in organization s acronym. @ time masthead , interior of crit, journal of aias , aiasinfo (the bimonthly electronic newsletter) redesigned award winning firm design army reflect modern design aesthetics of members.

the aias makes major shift elevate social members of organization can make launching freedom design™. program encourages architecture students radically impact lives of people in community through modest design , construction solutions. freedom design™ (fbd) teaches students how resolve accessibility issues while simultaneously providing them real world experience of working client, mentorship architect , constructor, , understanding of practical impact of architecture , design.

50 years--the gold anniversary

in year 2006 aias celebrated fifty years of organizing students. while operating in autonomous manner, organization has not been alone on years. allied organizations american institute of architects, association of collegiate schools of architecture, national architectural accrediting board, , national council of architectural registration boards work collaboratively aias. there numerous companies, trade associations , professionals play important role in ensuring viability , continuity of aias. more importantly, 100,000 students involved on years demonstrate long-term capability , necessity of non-profit, independent , student-run association. freedom design™ begins growing rapidly, reaching chapters across organization. in 2006, beyond architecture campaign launched part of fifty year celebration. capital campaign raised $1.5m in endowment funds support leadership development programs, including freedom design community service initiative of aias.

by december 2007, (great recession) begins causing significant damage within construction industry. many practicing designers in field of architecture lose jobs between 2007-2012. united states hits time unemployment high, second (great depression). residual damage caused severe impact on architecture graduates trying enter field. many left practice of architecture entirely during 2007-2014. major moment in time increased interest in alternative careers in architecture. in 2008, president andrew c. caruso (carnegie mellon university) , vice president tony p. vanky (tulane university) releases aias issue brief on architectural education. rapid changes in technology, critical , anticipatory document highlighted issues relevant future education , practice of profession. brief intended impact 2008 review of national architectural accrediting board conditions accreditation, citing opportunities necessary , visionary change way of major themes such ecological literacy, social responsibility, global change, urbanism, diversity, technology, , culture (among others).

2009 president jw blanchard (southern polytechnic state university) focused on ensuring legacy of crit continue valuable asset membership. development of resources assist quads conference planning released, expanded outreach of regional events within 4 territories. participation numbers quad conferences rose.

at end of 2009, michael v. geary, cae resigns executive director, launching executive search organization. association strategies hired assist in finding qualified replacement. joshua caulfield, iom hired in spring of 2010. between 2009-2011, president je nen m. chastain (university of north carolina @ charlotte), vice president brett roeth (miami university), , president tyler w. ashworth (university of idaho) , vice president danielle mcdonough (northeastern university) faced challenge of transitioning organization next decade. strategic planning exercises started in 2006 carried through realize long discussed programs, policies, committees, , member benefits support growing professional needs of membership. implementation takes off 2011-2012. forum receives record high attendance of 1,000+ students in toronto, ontario, canada.

under leadership of president nick mancusi (taliesin, frank lloyd wright school of architecture) , vice president laura meador (louisiana state university) aias undergoes re:branding effort. advocacy shifts forward strategic priority of organization introduction of federal student loans (national design services act). four-year financial plan double revenue created, goal achieve decade record high membership. new program tracks introduced @ grassroots leadership conference, , membership services expanded. continued growth takes place in 2011-2012. gradual recovery (great recession) in united states allows profession of architecture recover. aias continues thrive programs grow.

in 2012 aias met resignation of executive director joshua caulfield, iom. president westin conahan (university of nevada, las vegas) hires nick serfass, cae new executive director.