AIA Committees and their Accomplishments (continued)

Design Pittsburgh Committee Plans and executes AIA Pittsburgh’s signature program, Design Pittsburgh, which includes the Design Awards competition, exhibition and celebration of architecture. The committee seeks to engage the public in the value of good design in our communities through the People’s Choice Award. Highlights in 2022:

• 66 projects submitted

• 12 awards given by an AIA Colorado jury

• 3,893 People’s Choice votes

• 350+ attendees at Nova Place

Design + Research Group Infuses research into the practice of architecture in Pittsburgh and beyond and openly shares emerging data and knowledge. The group hosts a lunch + learn format, speakers and online resources. Highlights in 2022:

• Conducted Joint Research Brainstorming and How-To Sessions at monthly meetings

• Presented a series of Research Presentations on industry developments

Education Committee Directs the planning and / or development of AIA Pittsburgh’s continuing education programming, including Build Pittsburgh, Procrastinator’s Day, and ad hoc trainings. Highlights in 2022:

• Offered 16 courses and 3 Lunch & Learns at Build Pittsburgh 2022

• Identified Build Pittsburgh education topic areas and helped craft course abstracts and descriptions; session topics covered equity in architecture, building performance, legal trends, historic preservation, advocacy, building codes, office culture, and more

• Keynote given by Katie Swenson, Senior Principal of MASS Design, AIA Firm of the Year

• Developed and delivered end-of-the-year Procrastinator’s Day of CEU sessions

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Community (EDI)

Explores and fosters diversity, equality and inclusion issues in the architecture profession in our region. The committee’s work is guided by the AIA’s Guides for Equitable Practice. Highlights in 2022:

• Began work on firm outreach and introduced diversity conversations to firm leadership at the AIA PA Small Firm Exchange

• Contracted an HR consultant to facilitate EDI conversations

• Organized “Equity in Architecture” session at Build Pittsburgh 2022