JOIN AIA LAS VEGAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
The dog days of summer are upon us. Many of our colleagues and clients are taking vacations and enjoying a slightly slower time of the year On the other hand, I feel like I’ve never been so busy! To be clear, I am thoroughly enjoying representing you all as AIA Las Vegas President The role and responsibilities have caused me to take more time to step back and look at the bigger picture our own firm, our projects, AIA LV and AIA NV components, AIA as an international organization, the practice of architecture and the design and construction industry. It continues to be a dynamic and exciting time for our profession & I am very excited about the second half of the year and the possibilities ahead
I’ve enjoyed attending AIA’s
National Conference for the past two years. AIA24 was another amazing learning experience for me personally and in terms of my role as president. Sustainability remained a central theme throughout AIA24, with sessions exploring innovative approaches to eco-friendly design, energy efficiency, and building materials There was a clear emphasis on architects leading in creating a more sustainable future The conference addressed the need for architecture to be adaptable and resilient in the face of climate change and other challenges Discussions explored design strategies for natural disasters, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. Architects are increasingly tasked with creating structures that can withstand these evolving threats.
My favorite keynote speaker was Arthur C Brooks He addressed the AIA’s interest and focus on wellness by speaking to the conference about happiness His talk caused me to stop and think about wellness and happiness in the context of the work we do in our firms and through AIA LV He suggested that one path to increasing your happiness could be through enjoyment and satisfaction in your daily work. Does your work have meaning? Does it make other people happier? If you are interested in learning more about his take on Happiness I would recommend his book, “Build the Life You Want: The
art and Science of Getting Happier”
I’m looking forward to another month of interesting events in July. The Placemaking Committee is bringing you another opportunity on July 18th; “Nevada State University: Past, Present, & Future” Our own Kristina White will moderate a panel discussion regarding the University’s master plan and what the future holds We are also looking forward to the Placemaking Summit, “Building Healthy Places” on August 21, 2004 Hip Hop Architecture Camp is scheduled for July 29th – August 2 This camp is design to help 6th –12th grade students explore architecture, design and music. There’s plenty of room for additional volunteers and sponsors. If you are interested, please contact the AIA LV office.
As always, I’m here to help if you are looking for opportunities to engage
Regards,
Troy D. Moser, AIA
Troy D. Moser, AIA President Moser Architecture
Wellbe Bartsma, AIA EP Director Gensler
Alexia Chen, AIA President-Elect LGA Architecture
Daniel Chenin, AIA Director Daniel Joseph Chenin, Ltd.
Teresa Mears, AIA Secretary LGA Architecture
Quyen Luu, AIA Treasurer Gensler
Victoria Cousino, AIA Director KNIT
Melvin Green, AIA Director KME Architects
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kim S. Galbe, Assoc. AIA Director EV&A Architects
Jeffrey Sarmiento, AIA Director Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects
James Horvath, AIA Past-President BW&A
Carlos D. Fernandez Executive Director AIA Nevada | AIA Las
Vegas
Jennie Bowman
Director
Glenn Nowak, AIA Education Liaison
Vivian Arredondo, AIAS President
Taryn Kole
YEARLY EVENTS
Dates and events are subject to change as necessary as the year evolves.
NATALIEPEREZ,ASSOC.AIA
I am a member of AIA because... I'm a member of AIA because I value the connections I make with likeminded industry professionals who are committed to making a positive impact. I appreciate the opportunities to be inspired and learn more about architecture, as well as the chance to volunteer and be actively involved in my community.
How would you introduce yourself to the world as an architect/Assoc. Architect? In a few sentences, share your passion, your vision, and your achievements in the field.
As a developing professional with backgrounds in both landscape and architecture, I am driven by a passion for multidisciplinary design that breathes life into spaces beyond mere functionality. My vision is to make a significant contribution to the architecture field by focusing on user experience and sustainability. As a first-generation Mexican American, I
also take pride in bringing diverse perspectives to design and inspiring fellow Latinos in the industry
Describe the pivotal moment or influence that ignited your passion for architecture.
One standout moment for me was a studio trip to Portland, Oregon during my fourth year landscape architecture studio at UNLV This trip was eye-opening because it showed me firsthand how integrating different disciplines can positively impact communities and the environment. Seeing these real life examples also sparked my interest with the possibilities of blending landscape and architecture.
Another pivotal experience was joining the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) chapter at UNLV It was through AIAS that I first connected with the architecture community, forming valuable relationships that supported and motivated me to get involved AIAS provided the foundation I needed as I began my journey into the professional world
Can you elaborate on your experience collaborating with other architects and industry professionals?
So far in the early stages of my career, I've had the opportunity to work as both a landscape designer and an architectural designer. These roles have allowed me to collaborate closely with architects, landscape architects, and other professionals who have generously shared their knowledge and time Their insights have been invaluable in shaping my skills and understanding of the field
From these experiences, I've come to appreciate how crucial collaboration and knowledge-sharing are for personal growth and innovation in any profession Working alongside diverse industry professionals has also shown me the importance of approaching design with a multidisciplinary mindset Architecture should work together with other disciplines rather than as separate entities
Are there any emerging trends or breakthroughs in architecture that have recently sparked your interest?
Lately, I've been seeing more adaptive reuse buildings that make a big impact on sustainability Repurposing existing structures and reimagining spaces to give them new life is something I think we should do more often Not only does adaptive reuse preserve the cultural and historical value of buildings, but it also has significant environmental benefits.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. construction demolitions in 2018 alone added 600 million tons of debris to the national waste stream, mostly from tearing down existing buildings to make way for new construction Transparency Market Research also predicts that annual construction waste will hit 2 2 billion tons globally by 2025, making waste management an even bigger issue
Adaptive reuse projects can help address these problems. By transforming existing structures, we can reduce construction debris and the need for new materials, which lowers our overall carbon footprint. This approach not only promotes environmental responsibility but also preserves architectural heritage, which I believe is crucial for the future of architecture and construction
How do you anticipate the architectural landscape transforming over the next 10 years?
Over the next decade, we ' re likely to see major advancements in technology within the architecture and construction sectors. These advances will greatly improve BIM software, 3D modeling tools, virtual reality (VR), and other visualization methods. This will make it easier for architects to work more efficiently
and communicate their design ideas more effectively, allowing them to focus more on designing spaces that positively impact our built environment
Additionally, as technology continues to evolve, we may see a rise in prefabricated and modular construction techniques These methods have the potential to reduce waste, speed up construction schedules, and lower labor costs As architects begin incorporating these prefabricated materials into their designs, we’ll need to rethink strategies to accommodate these innovative building materials. Overall, I’m excited to experience and participate in utilizing these new technologies as they shape our surroundings!
AIA WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE COMMITTEE HOSTS
DELIGHTFUL HIGH TEA
June 8, 2024
On Saturday, June 8th, the AIA Women in Architecture Committee gathered for a charming High Tea event at Queen of Hearts Las Vegas, a local women-owned business The afternoon affair brought together members of the architecture community for an elegant social gathering
Attendees embraced the spirit of the occasion, with many donning hightea themed hats The event provided a wonderful opportunity for
networking and camaraderie among women in the field of architecture.
This successful event not only fostered connections within the AIA Women in Architecture community but also supported a local womenowned business The committee looks forward to hosting more engaging events in the future, continuing to strengthen the bonds among women in the architecture profession
DESERT OASIS: INNOVATIVE WAYS TO CREATE MORE PUBLIC SPACES IN LAS VEGAS
June 13, 2024
On June 13th, The Innovation Vegas hosted a dynamic gathering focused on creating innovative public spaces in our city. The event brought together forward-thinking professionals to explore community-driven urban development
We discussed exciting strategies like urban infill projects and temporary art installations, all aimed at crafting spaces that resonate with local residents Key topics included community involvement in development, balancing artistic expression with public welfare, and establishing ethical guidelines for public space initiatives
Attendees left with fresh perspectives on enhancing Las Vegas' urban landscape and practical ideas for creating vibrant, inclusive public spaces. This event has set the stage for exciting developments in how we approach shared spaces in our city.
Stay tuned for more updates as we work together to make Las Vegas an even more livable and engaging urban environment!
EPYAF UFC TOUR
June 21, 2024
On June 21st, the AIA Las Vegas Emerging Professionals Young Architects Forum (EPYAF) hosted an exclusive tour of the UFC Performance Institute, offering design professionals a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's most advanced athletic facilities
The tour showcased how innovative design and cutting-edge technology combine to create an optimal training environment for UFC athletes. Participants explored various
areas, including the iconic octagon, recovery zones with ice baths and hot tubs, and the expansive weight room The group also visited the dining area, where personalized meals are prepared for athletes based on their specific nutritional needs
Throughout the tour, attendees gained insights into the unique design challenges and solutions that shaped the facility's exceptional layout and functionality. This exclusive experience provided
valuable perspective on how architecture and technology can be leveraged to foster peak athletic performance in professional sports
BIM BOP 2024: Workflows
It’s free again!
The eighteenth annual BIM BOP conference at USC School of Architecture will be taking place online, live via Zoom, this year. We have set up a series of two sessions each with three speakers (each lecture is 30 minutes) and 15 BIM BOPs (5 minutes each). Sign-in for attending all or part of the event.
Topics include BIM workflows, schematic design, AI, generative design, collaboration, construction robots, interoperability, web apps, conceptual design for financial feasibility, 3d printing, conceptual design, AR, sustainable design, cool software that you ought to know about, and others Speakers come from a variety of AEC firms and software developers There probably is something being discussed that you want to know about
JOHN G. THORPE EMERGING PROFESSIONALS & STUDENTS
FELLOWSHIP
Established in 2016 to honor prominent restoration architect & longtime Conservancy board member John G. Thorpe, the Thorpe Fellowship provides funding for emerging professionals & graduate students in architecture or historic preservation to attend the Conservancy’s annual conference. Conference tours and talks enable them to deepen their understanding of Wright’s architecture and immerse themselves in the community of scholars, practitioners, Wright building stewards, and others who are dedicated to preserving this important architectural legacy.
Eligibility
Professionals in the first five years of their careers in architecture or historic preservation Graduate students in architecture or historic preservation, enrolled full- or part-time or just graduated in the months before the conference having
Application & Selection Process
Applications are accepted online through July 22, after which they are reviewed by the Conservancy’s Awards & Recognition Committee. The selection process is competitive. Applicants will be notified by Tuesday, August 6.
Award
Fellows receive one free core registration to attend the Conservancy’s annual conference, including the opening reception, three days of conference talks and tours, and the gala dinner with Wright Spirit Awards. Fellows from outside the Detroit area may be eligible for a small travel stipend. The award also includes a one-year Conservancy membership.
Frank Lloyd Wright & the American City Today Detroit, Michigan September 25-29, 2024
Photo by James Haefner
AIA National Awards Information
Collectively, the AIA Awards portfolio includes nearly 30 categories, recognizing outstanding achievements and exemplary design across various practice areas, representing the pinnacle of industry prestige. The awards cycles vary for each award. Submissions for the 2025 awards cycle can be found below. Recipients of 2025 awards will be recognized at the Conference for Architecture and Design in June 2025
All awards will close at 5:00pm ET on their deadline Submissions for the 2025 awards cycle will open in the summer of 2024 and be recognized at the Conference for Architecture and Design in June 2025 For specific information on awards, visit the award page.
LIFE THROUGH DESIGN
JOIN AN AIA LV COMMITTEE
AIA Las Vegas Placemaking Committee
Chair: Minjia Yan myan@millenniumcommercial.com Virtual Meeting 1st Thursday of each month at 11:00am
AIA Las Vegas Affordable Housing Committee
Co-Chair: Monica Gresser, AIA monica@BRAZENarchitecture.com
Co-Chair: David Kim, AIA David.Kim@MatterRealestate.com Virtual Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm
AIA Las Vegas Allied Members Committee
Chair: Kayleigh Hasshaw khasshaw@tjkengineers.com Virtual Meeting 4th Wednesday every other month at 9:30am
AIA Las Vegas Government Affairs Committee
Chair: Eric Roberts, FAIA ericr@knitstudios.com Virtual Meeting Schedule 1st Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm
AIA Las Vegas Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion & Education Outreach Committee
Chair: Melvin Green, AIA melvin@kmearchitects com Virtual Meeting 4th Thursday of each month at 4:00pm
AIA Las Vegas Women In Architecture Committee
Chair: Monica Gresser, AIA monica@BRAZENarchitecture.com Hybrid Meeting 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm
AIA Las Vegas UNLV School of Architecture Committee
Chair: Glenn Nowak, AIA glenn.nowak@unlv.edu Virtual Meeting 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:30am
AIA Las Vegas EPYAF Committee
Chair: Wellbe Bartsma, AIA wellbe bartsma@gensler com Virtual Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month at 3:00pm
AIA Las Vegas Urban Sketchers Committee
Chair: Eric Roberts, FAIA ericr@knitstudios.com Virtual or In Person Meeting 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:00am
AIA Nevada Small Firm Exchange
Chair: Anne Johnson, AIA anne@sparkflightstudios.com
Small Firm Exchange
Small Firm Exchange: Coffee Chat Recap
Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Craig Palacios, co-founder of BUNNYFiSH studio, for an insightful coffee chat Craig shared the inspiring journey of his firm, offering valuable lessons for small practice owners
Founded in 2010 by Craig and partner Tina Wichmann, BUNNYFiSH has grown from a twoperson startup to a thriving 12-person firm Their big break came through a serendipitous collaboration with Tony Hsieh, leading to iconic Downtown Vegas projects like Container Park, Carson Kitchen, and Fergusons Downtown. Today, BUNNYFiSH is making waves in hospitality design, specializing in restaurants and hotels. Craig attributes their success to four key factors:
A strong partnership
Hiring top talent, including expert consultants
Recognizing and acting on opportunities
Leveraging complementary skills within the leadership team
Craig's candid sharing of BUNNYFiSH's growth story provided attendees with practical insights for navigating the challenges of running a small architecture firm His emphasis on partnership, quality, opportunity, and skill diversification resonated with many of our members. We thank Craig for his time and look forward to our next Small Firm Exchange event. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements and events!
Small firm = Less than nine (9) employees
YOUR SMALL FIRM CONNECTION
LAS VEGAS WORKS TO REPOSITION ITS PIONEERING CHINATOWN
Developers, Government Team To Revamp What's Considered the Nation's First MasterPlanned District of Its Kind
By Tony Wilbert CoStar News
June 3, 2024 | 1:06 P.M.
While Chinatowns from New York to California fight for survival, one such district in a city known more for its large, glitzy casino hotels and resorts is forging ahead on an expansion with the support of government officials and local business and community leaders
Las Vegas' Chinatown, located not too far off of the city's famous strip, seeks to lure more tourists, locals and businesses as Nevada's Clark County repositions an area considered the country's first master-planned Chinatown.
The county this month officially launched its Spring Mountain Corridor Redevelopment Plan Spring Mountain Road is a three-mile corridor about two miles west of the famous Las Vegas Strip, originally built as an industrial pathway to a Wells Cargo facility used in mining, construction and transportation
Chinatowns long have provided areas for new immigrants to live, work and feel a connection to their homelands, and they remain significant hubs for Asian Americans and people of all backgrounds, according to
the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The districts often are located in the heart of cities, in areas ripe for new development.
Cities around the country are discussing how to revitalize and reposition their Chinatowns
"Many Chinatowns throughout history have been impacted and harmed by development pressure, gentrification, displacement, and inequitable planning practices," the National Trust said in a recent report Distress from pandemic-related closings and anti-Asian sentiment have "further threatened Chinatowns," the group said,
Efforts to resist gentrification in large Chinatowns in Manhattan, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco have been the subject of national news stories The future of Washington's Chinatown became even cloudier when the local professional basketball and hockey teams that play home games at an arena on the edge of the neighborhood said they planned to move to northern Virginia However, those plans were canceled this year
Chinatown in Las Vegas differs from Chinatowns in major cities such as New York, Washington and San Francisco, which feature densely developed areas that grew with residences, restaurants and retail space Las Vegas' Chinatown has more of an appearance of a suburban strip of shops and restaurants along a former industrial section of Spring Mountain Road
Creating a Chinatown
In Las Vegas, the redevelopment area is centered on Chinatown Plaza, a 28year-old shopping center with several Asian restaurants and shops at Spring Mountain and Wynn Roads. When Taiwanese American James ChihCheng Chen developed Chinatown Plaza and opened it in 1995, he called the property, designed by Simon Lee in a style inspired by Tang dynasty, "America's first masterplanned Chinatown," according to a 2005 Las Vegas Weekly article
Four years later, the Nevada Legislature agreed. It designated the strip of Spring Mountain from Las Vegas Boulevard to Rainbow Boulevard as the city's official Chinatown.
To revitalize Chinatown in Las Vegas, Clark County has turned to a team of Minjia Yan, RAFI Architecture and the public relations firm Purdue Marion & Associates to lead the effort that's been named Inspiring Spring Mountain Local commercial real estate professional Yan is serving as a project consultant of the Spring Mountain Redevelopment Plan
"For this redevelopment plan, our focus is a community-driven redevelopment plan that is centered on placemaking and placekeeping, which includes urban redevelopment, economic development and cultural preservation," Yan said in an interview
The challenges Chinatowns across the country are facing are being studied by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native
Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders Commission. Some 50 Chinatowns exist across the U.S., according to the California Migration Museum.
Las Vegas' Chinatown is beginning to catch the attention of developers, partly because of its proximity to the strip and the number of sites that can be developed Last year, an affiliate of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Boring Co bought a 1 36-acre site adjacent to the Chinatown neighborhood, where a stop of Boring's Vegas Loop is planned, according to CoStar data
Developers Discover Corridor
The properties along the historically industrial Spring Mountain corridor include strip malls and restaurants. In 2018, Fore Property Co. opened Green Leaf Lotus, a luxury apartment complex just over two miles south of Chinatown Plaza
Colliers is marketing a 10 5-acre site, a future transit-oriented development dubbed Chinatown11, owned by investor HMV Boring is considering a second Chinatown Vegas Loop hub along Spring Mountain that will bring traffic from the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas to the booming Chinatown/Asian District, according to marketing materials for the site.
This winter, Yan addressed members of the White House commission when they visited Las Vegas “Chinatowns across the country are facing gentrification and displacement," Yan told the commission "In places like Philadelphia, D C , L A and New York City, many Chinatowns are going
through redevelopment, but in an inequitable way. "
During this first phase of the redevelopment process, Yan said feedback from local residents, business owners and visitors will be critical because Chinatown Plaza and other developments, such as Shanghai Plaza in Chinatown, have become a cultural hub for Las Vegas' Asian-American community and a popular tourist destination
"There's no community center in this corridor yet,” Yan said "So we hope to see whether we can have some opportunities for more community spaces, public spaces, and green spaces and plant more trees so we can have shade that's more walkable."
Attracting More Visitors
For Maya Kwong, owner of Xiao Long Dumplings restaurant in Chinatown Plaza, the decision to pick the retail center for her restaurant, which opened in September 2021, was easy
"We immediately took it since it’s such an iconic location to present our food and culture," Kwong said in an interview. "Chinese people eat dumplings during major festivals and family reunions, dumpling making is an amazing bonding experience where family members connect, gossip and laugh together."
The plan to revitalize Spring Mountain will "play a huge role in attracting more visitors," and that will help her restaurant and other businesses, she said
"Vegas is developing every day,"
Kwong said. "Spring Mountain Road, being one of the busiest streets off the Strip, definitely needs a makeover to showcase Chinatown to the visitors from all over the world."
The formal statutory process to add Spring Mountain into the Clark County Redevelopment Agency should be completed within a month, said Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones
"That will start the process of collecting the sales tax, the property tax, etc , from the Spring Mountain area and allow for tax increment financing for individual properties, but also just the overall dollars that will be coming into the redevelopment agency to pay for infrastructure," Jones said. "We also have public works dollars that have already been allocated for the street and roadway infrastructure improvements that we ' re contemplating "
The county plans to wrap up the first phase of the Spring Mountain redevelopment process, that's centered on creating a vision and goals, and to kick off the second phase this summer. That next phase is set to focus on community preferences for development and alternatives, according to the county.
AIA NATIONAL CALENDAR AIA NATIONAL
JULY 2024
01 The Test Event
When: Jul 1, 2024 from 08:00 AM to 11:00 PM (ET)
08 Best Practices: Call for volunteers
When: Jul 8, 2024 from 05:00 PM to 05:00 PM (ET)
17
08
CCA: Call for volunteers
When: Jul 8, 2024 from 05:00 PM to 05:00 PM (ET)
08
08
PD: Call for volunteers
When: Jul 8, 2024 from 05:00 PM to 05:00 PM (ET)
PM: Call for volunteers
When: Jul 8, 2024 from 05:00 PM to 05:00 PM (ET) 08 TAP: Call for volunteers
When: Jul 8, 2024 from 05:00 PM to 05:00 PM (ET) 10 FREE Webinar: Decade OneLaying the Foundation for your Career
When: Jul 10, 2024 from 02:00 PM to 03:30 PM (ET) 17 Architects in Action Conference
Starts: Jul 17, 2024 01:00 AM (ET) Ends: Jul 18, 2024 05:30 PM (ET)
2025 Environments for Aging Call for Presentations
When: Jul 17, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM (ET)
17 Architects in Action 2024
When: Jul 17, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM (ET)
17 Architects in Action Conference
Starts: Jul 17, 2024 01:00 PM (ET) Ends: Jul 18, 2024 05:30 PM (ET)
23 Live course: Designing for Healthcare Worker Safety & Wellness
When: Jul 23, 2024 from 02:00 PM to 03:00 PM (ET)
26
AAH/ACHA Summer Leadership Summit 2024
When: Jul 26, 2024 from 06:00 AM to 11:00 PM (ET)
26 Summer Leadership Summit (SLS)
Starts: Jul 26, 2024 08:00 AM (MT) Ends: Jul 28, 2024 12:00 PM (MT)
26 Public Architects Ad Hoc Committee Call
When: Jul 26, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM (ET)
Statement from the Board of Directors of The American Institute of Architects
JUNE 11, 2024
The Board of Directors of The American Institute of Architects expresses its ongoing support of AIA CEO and EVP Lakisha Ann Woods and her team.
the issues brought forward in a letter by a segment of former AIA Presidents, regarding the organization’s practices.
made AIA a more effective and influential advocate for the profession and have increased value for members For example,
The Board of Directors of The American Institute of Architects expresses its ongoing support of AIA CEO and EVP Lakisha Ann Woods and her team
The Board takes its fiduciary responsibilities seriously. AIA is financially healthy and has received a clean audit for the past three budget cycles. The current Board of Directors, CEO, and staff are working on the 2025 budget, which will be $13 5 million less than the 2024 budgeted amount, taking financial accountability for decisions that predate the current Board’s and CEO’s tenure
The Board has retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent review of certain matters, in particular
Among the matters brought forward, the Board directed external counsel to review the planning and execution of the AIA Staff Learning Retreat that took place in March 2024 The review focused on the specific issues raised to the Board That portion of the review has now concluded The Board has reviewed the facts, found and confirmed that there was no wrongdoing, and there is no action to be taken by the Board in connection to the staff retreat
During her tenure as EVP/CEO, Ms. Woods has demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to advancing the mission and values of AIA, and we fully support her leadership
Her business acumen and experience as an association executive have
She restructured AIA’s priorities from more than 200 annually to focusing on five of the most impactful benefits to members. Those included the following:
• . Revamping AIA’s education program through its AIAU and CES services, which has exceeded revenue targets.
• Launching a new intuitive website that celebrates design and better serves the members
• Growing the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design by bringing the management of the expo hall in house
• Celebrating and honoring all AIA project-based award recipients in a red-carpet style, sold-out gala during Conference week
• . Embarking on a data transformation that empowers more informed and strategic decision-
making across the organization to better serve our members.
She streamlined and made transparent opportunities for all members to get involved with AIA, offering valuable opportunities for volunteerism and engagement with the association.
She works tirelessly as an advocate for the profession, collaborating with members and others, including… partnering with the White House on the national definition of a zero-emissions building, enhancing architects’ roles at COP28 to better fight climate change, and successfully increasing design fees from 6% to 10% for Department of Defense projects
Ms. Woods meets with members continually, and as a result, the association has experienced higher membership recruitment numbers than ever before. Through strong financial stewardship, we have been able to make positive contributions to net assets every year of Lakisha's tenure For these successes, the AIA Board of Directors is proud to continue its ongoing support of AIA CEO and EVP Lakisha Ann Woods
ILLYA AZAROFF, FAIA, ELECTED AIA’S 2026 PRESIDENT
In addition to Azaroff, Joshua Flowers, FAIA was elected as the 2025-2026 Secretary and Matthew Toddy, AIA was elected as 2025-2027 At-Large Director
JUNE 7, 2024
Illya Azaroff, FAIA, has been elected to The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Board of Directors, as 2025 President-elect/2026 President Azaroff, is an architect, geographer,
and professor at the New York City of Technology The founding principal of +LAB Architect, a firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, his mission is to amplify the voices and visibility of underserved communities globally.
Internationally acclaimed for his leadership in disaster mitigation, resilient adaptation, and regenerative design, Illya earned recognition as a 2023 Star of Oceana for his impactful, award-winning work in the Pacific and Caribbean
His commitment extends to governing the institute, where he has led at every level, from founding committees to serving as the 2021 AIA New York State president Having chaired the COP28 delegation to Dubai, he currently holds the position of Chair of CCADE - Committee on Climate Action and Design Excellence
and serves as an at large director on the AIA National Board
"I believe that we need to be the change we want to see in the world The urgency of our time demands action. Our role as Architects has never been more pivotal in shaping the future of our communities. In our daily practice, we lead transformative efforts, drive innovation, and unravel complex problems through design thinking, "said Azaroff
He continued, “our collective mission, as the AIA is profound to create a world that's resilient, sustainable, and equitable I believe that the institute must act as a catalyst, propelling each member forward, providing the resources crucial for success It's time to accelerate our impact, sparking transformation in every community globally.”
Azaroff received his Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute. He also earned a Bachelor In Applied Science and Bachelor of Arts from University of Nebraska.
Joshua Flowers, FAIA was elected as the 2025-2026 Secretary while Matthew Toddy, AIA was elected as 2025-2027 At-Large Director The terms for all three elected officials begin on December 13, 2024
Flowers, FAIA is a registered architect and licensed attorney and is Legal Counsel for Gresham Smith Flowers has served in leadership roles across levels of the AIA. He is the 2024 Vice Moderator of the AIA Strategic Council where he leads AIA’s efforts to study issues impacting the future of the profession. Flowers was
president of AIA Tennessee in 2019 and AIA Memphis in 2012.
As secretary, Flowers will focus on advancing shared imperatives, communication and transparency, facilitating change. Flowers said, “clear and open channels of communication are essential not only for decision-making processes but also for promoting inclusivity and collaboration across the local, state, and national levels of the AIA "
Flowers received a Bachelor of Architecture and Juris Doctor Degrees from the University of Tennessee where he served as editor of the Tennessee Law Review.
Toddy is a Principal at Elevation Studio. He served on the 2024 AIA National Conference Advisory Group,
the 2020-2021 Young Architects Forum Advisory Committee, the 2020 Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee and was the 2023 Young Architects Forum Chair.
As an active member of AIA Columbus and AIA Ohio, Toddy was the 2022 President of AIA Columbus Mostly recently, Toddy was recognized with the 2023 Mentor Award from AIA Ohio
"We must work together to elevate architects in our communities into positions of influence By raising public awareness, connecting with key stakeholders, and equipping architects to be citizen leaders, we can advocate for the importance and value of design in shaping our communities," said Toddy.
DON’T FORGET WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE.
Toddy earned both his Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture from The Knowlton School of Architecture at The Ohio State University.
Complete leadership information can be found on AIA’s website
NOTICE:
The 2024 AIA Board of Directors is pleased to share an overview of the important decisions made by accredited delegates at this year ' s Institute Annual Business Meeting in Washington, DC Key highlights include:
Consideration of motions to amend AIA Bylaws, focusing on: 1
Expanding AIA membership categories a Addressing editorial changes b. Voting on several resolutions covering: 2. Health and wellbeing initiatives a. Virtual conference options b.
Expanding representation of underrepresented groups in AIA's strategic plan c.
For a comprehensive summary of the meeting outcomes, please visit the Annual Meeting page on our website.
The 2024 AIA Board of Directors extends its sincere gratitude to all delegates and resolution sponsors for their active participation in this crucial event We are excited to collaborate with our entire membership as we continue to advance the AIA mission
Stay tuned for further updates and opportunities to engage with AIA's evolving initiatives
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