In 30 years of working with AIA architects, I have heard one oft-repeated refrain: “Why isn’t there a national Architecture Week?”
The answer was typically that it’s under discussion. Finally, last year, in its 150th year, the AIA took advantage of close connections on Capitol Hill to get a resolution passed calling for Architecture Week to be celebrated around the anniversary of the founding of the Institute in 1857. This year, it is April 7-14 (details here).
The compelling thing about Architecture Week is that it is both a celebration of past achievements and a look toward a better future, encouraging public interaction and education on the value architects bring to clients and their communities everywhere.
And this isn’t a one-time event, either. As its popularity spreads, so will its effectiveness, and, in 150 years, perhaps people will be looking back to 2007 as another landmark beginning.
Comments (3)
When was Architecture week formally announced? There was no mention of it in my local chapter's calendar. There seems to be no mention of it on the AIA Chicago's web calendar either.
Are my national dues funding the party that is only practical for Washington DC area members to attend?
If there is going to be an architecture week, it should be properly promoted. How fantastic it would be if the profession embraced this and really got the public involved and aware as to what we do. As it stands, I see this as (another) a lost opportunity for architects.
Posted by Edward J. Shannon | April 4, 2008 12:04 PM
Posted on April 4, 2008 12:04
Excellent points Mr. Shannon. Let me address them one by one.
Architecture Week was called for by Congress and acknowledged by President Bush in 2007 in recognition of the AIA's 150 years of service to the profession and the public it serves. Here's a link to that story:
http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek07/0406/0406n_stopthepresses.cfm
For more on the AIA150 celebration, which, incidentally, focuses as much, or more, on the future as on the past, look here:
http://www.aia150.org/
Check with your component leadership to ask about local observances. If there were none for this year, begin organizing an effort for 2009 to bring your message to the public of the value architects bring to community development. For ideas on what is possible, go to the Architecture Week page on AIA.org:
http://www.aia.org/about_archweek08
And, no, member dues were not used for this or any of the other AIA150 public outreach efforts. That was generously supported by sponsors, recognition of whom you will find here:
http://www.aia150.org/files/aia150_sponsor_list_111507.pdf
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make these points clear, Mr. Shannon. As you so correctly point out, "How fantastic it would be if the profession embraced this and really got the public involved and aware as to what [you] do."
Posted by Doug Gordon | April 7, 2008 10:01 AM
Posted on April 7, 2008 10:01
Doug - I was refering to the announcement of this years Architecture week. The link you provided referencess last years Architecture week. If I'm not mistaken, it doesn't mention architecture week as an anual event. So, when was this years Architecture week announced? to the components? and to the membership at large?
Posted by Edward J. Shannon | April 8, 2008 1:54 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 13:54