President’s message

President’s message: 2022 AIA president

Productivity guru David Allen says: “There are no problems, just projects.” I like that quote because it reminds me that no matter how serious and overwhelming our challenges may be, they are solvable.

Our communities have big challenges. And our profession is uniquely equipped to help. Whether it’s climate change, racial inequity, or the pandemic, we can address our most urgent problems with design.

That’s why I say design thinking is our superpower. By training and by nature, architects are big picture thinkers. Problem solvers. Innovators.

We know how to design spaces that are more resilient, more inclusive, and healthier. And the need for these spaces has never been more obvious, or more urgent.

When we talk about innovation in architecture, we usually focus on technology, and for good reason. Groundbreaking advances in methods, materials, and project management are some of our best tools for building 21st century communities. But for architectural innovation to achieve its full potential, it’s just as important architects be innovative in our thinking, our outreach, our communication. It doesn’t matter how innovative we are if our clients and communities don’t work with us to deploy innovative best practices.

Through innovative strategies, we’re making great strides in demonstrating the power of design and building the partnerships we need to achieve meaningful progress – locally, nationally, and globally.

AIA’s Mayors Innovation Project is just one example of new outreach at the local level. This recently launched initiative pairs mayors and city staff from three cities -- Eastpointe, Mich.; Clarksville, Tenn.; and Blacksburg, Va. – with an architect for about 6 months to tackle a local renovation, reuse or retrofit challenge. Each city’s goal is to reduce environmental impact and equitably serve the surrounding community. Nationally, we moved the needle on the federal infrastructure debate. More than 5,000 members wrote their members of Congress to deliver our simple message: Buildings are infrastructure. The infrastructure bill signed into law in November includes meaningful advancements toward building a more resilient and sustainable built environment.

We’re also walking the walk in sustainable design with the AIA headquarters renewal project. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to embody our values in our own building. For decades to come, AIA’s space in Washington will stand as a tangible demonstration of the values of equity, sustainability, inclusiveness, and innovation we champion.

Drawing on the latest innovations and best practices, we’re designing a model workspace of the future, for the workforce of the future. And who better to advise the landmark project than the members and shapers of that future workforce: future architects? To help develop the design plan, AIA welcomed six students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to serve as interns for the project. Virtually embedded with the design team from April through August 2021, these students gained real-world experience while offering invaluable insights into designing a post-COVID workplace of the future. AIA is developing a toolkit to guide firms in developing their own inclusive internship programs.

At the global level, AIA sent its first-ever official delegation to the United Nations Committee Of the Parties, COP26, in Glasgow last fall. Speaking at events, forging partnerships, and conversing with public officials, AIA’s delegation ensured the profession’s voice was represented in new ways. Our team spoke directly with a number of US members of Congress, cabinet members, mayors, environmental leaders, and partner organizations to raise awareness of the role of the building sector.

We can’t talk about innovation without noting one of the biggest changes coming to AIA in 2022. I am thrilled to welcome Lakisha Woods, CAE, to serve as AIA’s next Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer. With her experience leading the National Institute of Building Sciences, Lakisha embodies an ideal combination of expertise and fresh perspective to help AIA succeed in addressing our priority issues.

It’s a pivotal time for the built environment, and the profession is implementing pivotal innovations to meet the moment. There are no problems, only projects.

Daniel S. Hart, FAIA, PE

Hart is the 2022 AIA president. He is the executive vice president of architecture and serves on the board of Parkhill. He was an adjunct instructor of architectural engineering at Texas Tech University. He was also the founding president of the college’s Design Leadership Alliance.