The American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Meet the Chair of the AIA National Associates Committee (#AIANAC) ?? #FutureFocused presents Libertad Lauren Harris, AIA, NCARB, CDT, WELL AP, GGP! ? She reflects on the importance of youth outreach to foster the future of architecture. You can get involved in K-12 outreach, too! Learn more about #ArchitectureWeek happening in April 2025: https://bit.ly/4fP4TpS #Architecture #Design #Education

For the fourth year in a row, AIA leadership is advocating for architects at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (#COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Here’s a peek into what we’ve accomplished ?? ?? AIA 2024 President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, spoke at five events and shared key AIA resources and programs like AIA’s 2030 Commitment, Design Data Exchange, and AIA Materials Pledge. ?? AIA co-hosted a panel with FEMA on climate resilience. ?? After a question from Dowdell at the U.S. delegations briefing, Rick Duke, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate at the U.S. Department of State, spoke with her and encouraged advocacy for complete building electrification. ?? AIA leadership collaborated with RIBA and RIBA President Muyiwa Oki, Hon. AIA, at multiple events and networking opportunities to solidify our relationship overseas. ?? AIA 2025 Vice President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, spoke at two events and met individuals like the Estonian Minister of Climate Yoko Alender, an architect. Now that we’re heading back to the U.S., you might ask, “Now what?” ?? Here’s what you can do ?? 1?? Join us at AIA Hill Day during the AIA Leadership Summit (#AIALeads25) to advocate for these policies that will move us toward #NetZero! More info here: https://bit.ly/4fzY77R 2?? Get involved at your local and state AIA chapters for advocacy opportunities all year! Find your chapter: https://bit.ly/4fCmWQr 3?? Watch out for our new policy platform, to be released in 2025, that will guide our work for the next four years! AIA member feedback, surveys, and resolutions are incorporated. Learn about our current federal policy issues: https://bit.ly/4fJ5DNJ 4?? Read more about our advocacy at COP29 in AIArchitect: https://bit.ly/3OiliHB #Architecture #Sustainability #BuiltEnvironment

This past week I joined our delegation at #COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was my third time attending this climate conference and it definitely felt different attending so soon after the election. Everyone there was still filled with determination and focused on the change that is needed, but the terminology used was different. The common phrase was that the work must be done at the sub-national level. We will continue to focus on the needs of our members at the local and state level and the relationship that The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has built with the US Conference of Mayors will be more important than ever. Our President Kimberly Dowdell spoke on several panels and continued to answer the question of “what do architects have to do with climate action?” It was a reminder that we still have more work to do explaining the role of architects and how their work impacts communities. Thanks to Derek Washam for celebrating your birthday with us last week and continuing to represent AIA for week two and good luck to our 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA who joins the delegation this week and has several speaking engagements to showcase AIA’s role in advancing our climate work. #leadership #architects #climateaction

? ECONOMIC NEWS ?? After twenty months of declining billings, the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for October was 50.3. This score indicates a balance between the number of firms experiencing a decrease in billings and those seeing an increase. Swipe to learn more ?? or get more details here: https://bit.ly/3OhLbr7 ?? Want to know more about the inner workings of the ABI? Find out here: https://bit.ly/3C5HRMQ #Architecture #Construction #Economy

According to the 2023 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, 40% of countries have mandatory or voluntary national regulations or codes for building energy performance. Architects can demonstrate the value of codes to communities and advocate for the adoption of attainable standards in the U.S., where adoption and implementation continue to be a struggle, and around the globe. Learn how we’re advocating for energy use codes & performance standards at #COP29: https://bit.ly/3O6H94N

Superior flatness, unlimited color availability, and ease of installation make metal composite materials a versatile building component for architects. What do you know about MCM, and how will you use it on your next project? Learn more: https://bit.ly/3YJEzXw #PartnerContent #Architecture #Materials

AIA leadership is advocating for architects at #COP29 right now! ?? COP29 comes at a critical time, as countries are preparing their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2025. Our presence sends a strong signal to increase the importance of #architecture and buildings in their NDCs, invest in energy-efficient and resilient building #infrastructure, and support the adoption of the latest building energy codes and building #electrification efforts. Here are some of the events we're at ?? ?? Decarbonising Our Skylines: Shaping our Cities for a #NetZero 2050 ?? This event discussed commitments made across the globe to decarbonize the built environment, highlight challenges for adoption, and discuss how the industry is driving implementation and scaling solutions. ??? Featuring panelists AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC; RIBA President Muyiwa Oki; Ross Hampton, Executive Director, International Sustainable Forestry Coalition; Harry Mills, FHEA, Centre for Natural Material Innovation, University of Cambridge ?? Decarbonization of the Built Environment: Tools and Lessons from the Ground ?? Achieving a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient built environment demands systemic transformation—and we all have a role to play. This session shared insights from various stakeholders and industries! ??? Featuring Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC; Balsam Nehme, Director of Sustainability, Dar/Sidara; Bertrand Picard, Chairman and President, Solar Impulse Foundation; Faysal Shair, Director of Digital Solutions, Dar/Sidara; Shruti Narayan, Managing Director of Regions and Mayoral Engagement, C40 Cities; and Rasmi Hamzeh, Executive Director, Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) ?? All In on Climate Resilience: Strategies and Partnerships for Impact ?? As climate threats grow, communities need innovative, collaborative approaches to build resilience at scale. This panel featured leaders from federal, local, and private government and the private sector to discuss adaptation strategies, including nature-based solutions, equitable decision-making approaches, and cross-sector collaboration. ??? Featuring Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC; Victoria Salinas, FEMA; Mayor Tim Keller, Albuquerque; Amanda McCarty, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ?? Building Net Zero Standards and Turning Pledges into Action ?? Recognizing the impact materials have on human health, social health, equity, ecosystems, climate, and circularity, AIA created the Architecture & Design (A&D) Materials Pledge to help ensure that #MaterialSpecification matches stated values to protect human health and the planet. ??? Featuring AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC; Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President 2023-2025; and Andrew Minson, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director, GCCA – Global Cement and Concrete Association Follow us to stay updated on what we accomplish at COP29! ??

We're at #COP29, the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference! Our members, consisting of 98,000+ #architecture professionals, work at the leading edge of a $1.6 trillion U.S. construction industry that promotes commerce and drives consumer confidence. In Azerbaijan, AIA leadership is promoting a global exchange of expertise among all parties in the building sector, including national, state, and local governments; private industry participants, such as #architects, commercial #RealEstate developers, institutional building owners, #engineers, building scientists, #construction companies, and building product manufacturers; and nongovernmental civic leaders. Together, we can reinforce the critical value of the #ParisAgreement and work urgently to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Check out the events AIA leadership will be involved in ?? Learn more about what we’re doing at COP29: https://bit.ly/3O6H94N #Sustainability #ClimateAction

Our first-ever ?? AIA Materials Pledge By the Numbers report—a 2023 summary of the AIA Materials Pledge—is out today! We're proud to showcase the only report tracking architecture firms’ progress—and where the industry needs to go—in healthy material specification. Swipe ?? to see insights from 92 firm signatories tracking their progress. ?? Click here to see the full report: https://bit.ly/4fomxBb Want to join the AIA Materials Pledge? Learn more: https://bit.ly/3URlwZZ #Architecture #Sustainability #Materials #ClimateAction

What is MCM? ?? For over half a century, metal composite materials have reshaped skylines and refreshed brands. Discover how their versatility and sustainability inspire designs from coast to coast: https://bit.ly/3YJEzXw #PartnerContent #Architecture #Materials