by Jennifer Gilly, Assoc. AIA
AIACV Associate Director
It’s a big world outside our office doors, a fact that can be hard to remember between the day to day deadlines. Last month AIA leaders congregated in New Orleans for AIA Grassroots to be reminded just how much is being accomplished by our organization as a whole. Being one of the members of our chapter that was sent to this event, I came away feeling a sense of responsibility to both my immediate community and the world beyond.
Over a span of two days I listened to speakers recall accomplishments in their own communities, their goals as citizen architects and what we as a design organization should be working towards. “What is your story?” was the question being asked between both AIA members and community leaders from all over the country as they contributed insight to what was happening in their own backyards. While their stories varied, they had a common thread: we as architects have an ability, and therefore a responsibility, to make our world a better place.
We have more influence than we realize. As an organization of 95,000 members we have the power to influence laws, policies and regulations. In New Orleans we heard from mayors from different cities who implored architects to step up and become a player in their own cities. Our set of skills makes us uniquely qualified to lead others to shape our environments here at home.
A sustainable future is in our hands. This was a very central topic this year, and for good reason. The high percentage of the built environment’s influence on our energy use means we as architects have a measurable impact of working towards a net zero future.
We can’t be sustainable if we aren’t resilient. How well our designs hold up directly influences how well communities bounce back after a natural disaster. And if we take the time to become educated we can be part of the solution of rebuilding communities when disaster does strike.
These aren’t new realizations. In fact many of us have heard them over and over. It’s overwhelming when we think about the things we COULD be doing to make a difference in our communities. Attending events like Grassroots however remind us what can happen when we do take action. And if every single one of our 95,000 members decide to use the power they have as architects and future architects to shape our future, it could be very bright indeed.
So if there’s one thing I took away from this year’s Grassroots, it’s this. Whether you are a long time AIA member or reading our newsletter for the first time, take advantage of the community of architects the AIA places at your fingertips. Take the time to be inspired by a speaker, attend a committee meeting, or talk to our community leaders. Take just one step forward in becoming more involved. You never know where it might lead and what your story will be when it does.