Much of the AIA’s discussions in 2015 were about the repositioning of the organization. While it was a challenge at times, the underlying value was well intended. The goal of the effort was to be sure that AIA members across the country all receive an equally-distributed minimum set of basic services. That is not an easily achievable task when you consider distributing services efficiently to chapters that are vastly different in their size and density, such as the Metro Detroit area versus the Upper Peninsula. Deciding whether the chapters or AIA Michigan expend funds and efforts to provide certain services was by no means an easy discussion. In the end, the Detroit chapter has remained in its current form, AIA Detroit, without changes to the boundaries or its basic structure, all of which were discussed throughout the year last year. The size of the AIA Michigan Board was reduced through the changes to their bylaws, which were voted on at the AIA Michigan annual meeting last November. Hence the AIA Detroit board was reduced in size by virtue of the fact that our representation on that board was reduced from five to three directors. (more…)

Please Join AIA Detroit for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 10th, at 7:00PM. The meeting will be held at Valentine Vodka in Ferndale.

We will discuss this past year’s achievements and outline our vision for the future. We will also be voting on the AIA Detroit Board for 2016. Please take the time to read about this year’s candidates below.

We hope you will join us for some cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres as we wrap up another successful year at AIA Detroit. An RSVP would be much appreciated.  If you cannot make the meeting in person and wish to participate in the election, you must request an absentee ballot from Lauren by November 6th, 2015.

RSVP Here (more…)

This month, as members of AIA Michigan, we have been asked to vote on important changes to the AIA Michigan bylaws.  Each AIA member in Michigan should have received an electronic ballot to cast your vote, or you can attend the Annual meeting to vote in person.

The AIA Detroit Executive Committee feels it our duty as your elected leadership to voice an opinion on the proposed bylaws revisions.  Recent communications from AIA Michigan asked the following questions for each of the revisions. Here are our thoughts: (more…)

This year, AIA Detroit was proud to Present Raymond Cekauskas with the AIA Detroit Gold Medal for his vision and dedication to the organization as we established ourselves as an independent local chapter. Our attendance at this year’s Celebration was unprecedented, so to ensure that everyone who was there has a chance to read what Ray thoughtfully expressed on stage, we have published his speech here:

To my friends,

When I was chapter president in 2010, it was a time of great change and growth for our organization. Many ideas about how we should approach the future were introduced and debated. Old ways met new ways and at times consensus became difficult between colleagues who were positioned on opposite sides. Fortunately, we got through those times in fine fashion and grew stronger because of it.

During this period of change, I was fortunate to be part of a continuous team of chapter presidents who shared the same values and the same vision of the future. With the support of membership, we drove an evolution over several years that redefined the AIA as a more modern, robust and professionally relevant organization. This evolution continues to this day with informed and energetic leadership. (more…)

Building off the May EPC Forum, this event aims to further explore how emerging professionals define their place in today’s profession with particular regard to their coworkers.  Moderated by the passionate and talented Najahyia Chinchilla (Gensler), a panel of distinguished industry patrons will discuss the importance of mentoring across generations and how vital such relationships are to the workplace and future of our profession.

RSVP HERE

Drinks and appetizers included: 5:30pm-8pm | AIREA Studio | 1048 Woodward Ave, Detroit

EPC MENTORING PANELISTS: (more…)

Come meet up with the Emerging Professionals Committee for an open discussion on the topic of licensure within the profession of architecture. We will be joined by several individuals with different perspectives of the licensing process who will help facilitate the conversation and share their personal stories. Bring your questions and your point of view; this event is meant to act as an open discussion to get people taking about their opinions and motives, and possibly even help address any issues individuals might be having in regards to the licensing process.

Happy Hour drinks and appetizers until 7pm |Grand Trunk Pub | 612 Woodward, Detroit 48226

EPC LICENSURE FORUM FACILITATORS: (more…)

The AIA Detroit Technology in Architectural Practice Committee wants to create opportunities for open dialogue to identify and educate how technology has changed the building process. Through presentations during our meetings, we create environments for this dialogue to occur for those wanting to be a part of the conversation. In order for our industry to grow in technology proficiencies, we believe we must network ideas – and more importantly’ the people behind those ideas – to share in the impact technology has upon our profession. The TAP Committee is looking for individuals wanting to be the voice to start the dialogue to create opportunities for others to learn and be exposed to the possibilities technology provides. Below are brief descriptions regarding what the types of presentations we are looking for. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the TAP Committee at AIADetroitTAP@gmail.com. (more…)

AIA Detroit has proudly partnered with the talented folks at Illuminart for the past two years, so we were super excited to see Brienne Willcock and Robert White featured on concentratemedia.com. Illuminart is the designing force behind the lighting at Shed 3 for our 2013 & 2014 Celebration of Architecture; the cobalt blue and fuschia lighting schemes that you could see from down the street in Eastern Market are all because these guys know how to light a building. They also helped to pull in Fantasee Lighting, who brings the equipment and skilled labor needed to bring to life Brienne’s concept for the building. We are eternally grateful for these folks, they certainly deserve the media attention. (more…)

From AIA National, January 26, 2015: “The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected 14 recipients for the 2015 AIA Young Architects Award. Young Architects are defined as professionals who have been licensed 10 years or fewer regardless of their age. This award, now in its 22nd year, honors individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers.” (more…)

This year, the Women In Architect Fund (WIA Fund) launched their Emerging Professional (EP) Inspiration Award. Working to inspire emerging professionals, one woman at a time, the WIA Fund awarded one national and one international professional with a cash grant to help further their career. Entries were shortlisted and winners were selected by both a committee and the public via the WIA Fund Facebook page.

Our very own Samantha Szeszulski was the national recipient of the WIA EP Inspiration award this year! The WIA Fund was looking for ” young ladies who demonstrate great capacity for leadership, an unwavering passion for the profession of architecture, and a willingness to contribute to society which is awe-inspiring”, and Samantha fit the description. She is the current chair of our Emerging Professionals Committee and is completing her Masters in Architecture at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Click HERE to see images from Samantha’s winning “Belong Here” guerilla art campaign.

Stay up to date on the exciting things our Emerging Professionals Committee is doing HERE, or contact Lauren at businessmanager@aiadetroit.com to be added to their mailing list.