Connection
President’s message:
Climate change and climate action From climate change and the continuing pandemic to senseless violence on multiple continents, to ending systemic inequality, the number and scope of challenges we face is daunting, and for many it can be overwhelming.
of the most urgent challenges of our time: the worsening climate crisis.
But as architects our natural tendency is to find ways to solve problems that others think are unsolvable: That’s our superpower.
Meaningfully and rapidly reducing the carbon emissions of the built world is a massive undertaking. We know that 40% of carbon emissions come from buildings. That alone makes us relevant and gives us agency in addressing the existential challenge of the climate crisis.
An important first step of using our superpower is to be relevant.
You might think you, your firm, or even your city or town isn’t big enough to make a meaningful and lasting difference.
We have recent examples of how effective we can be working to achieve big goals, together.
And on an individual level that might be true, but it isn’t if we all work together. More to the point, the recent past has proved that we can achieve big goals by working together, in ways small and large.
That’s exactly what we did as the COVID-19 crisis unfolded in 2020. AIA architects went immediately into action— providing services, knowledge, and tools to help organizations and communities not just survive, but to thrive. Countless of our colleagues contributed their time and talent to reimagining hospitals, retail, and other spaces to treat the sick and protect the healthy. In fact, special AIA task forces worked with public officials on safely adapting existing buildings into health facilities, ultimately issuing expert guidance that was distributed by the United States Department of State. I believe our work in 2020 will be remembered as one of AIA’s finest moments. We were relevant because we engaged where society needed us most—by showing, not just telling, how we could help. When we are relevant, we emphasize our value. When the public and our leaders understand our full value in achieving the change society seeks and needs, we will thrive as a profession and our society will be better for our efforts and expertise. As the next generation of architects, the lessons you learned at the start of your careers, in the past few years, will be invaluable as you help our profession tackle one 6
While you can’t single-handedly make your city carbon neutral; you can join an AIA Knowledge Community. Or commit to using AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence, as a tool that informs your design decisions. Perhaps, pick one project and see how you can apply principles from any or all of the Framework’s 10 measures. Or review the policy platform on AIA’s Advocacy page on AIA.org, to see where you can lend your voice to advance important issues, including infrastructure, resilience, sustainability, equitable communities, and affordable housing. Find ways that you can use your unique talent and passion to be relevant and to make lasting and meaningful difference through the power of design. Use your superpower –design thinking – to be relevant and to make a difference.
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.
