Chair’s Message: ‘Design for the future with CARE’

YAF Chair’s message: Design for the future with CARE

I am excited and honored to chair the Young Architects Forum this year and celebrate 30 years of YAF with our upcoming YAF Summit 30 event: Mission 2130. This application-based, in-person event is designed to explore what the world could look like in the year 2130 and distill out actionable steps young architects can take today, to help ensure a prosperous world for the future. If you think that sounds like a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal), you are correct — but how else can we catalyze change?

The year 2130 may seem impossible to imagine. Will humans live in megacities? Will we live underwater? Will we live on another planet? We may not be able to predict what the future holds, but we can do our part to ensure it is a prosperous place for all who will be here by designing for the future with CARE.

C Be creative in your career evolution The world needs creative minds to find solutions to problems both large and small.

How can we use our architectural education in non-traditional ways? If we consistently utilize design thinking to creatively solve problems outside of the built environment, how would that change the role of the architect? What impact would that have on the perceived value of the architect? What if we applied design thinking to our careers as architects and ‘flipped the model up-side down?’ What would that look like? How could that change the ways our profession addresses the current and future needs of the workforce?

A Be adaptable with action We need to take action to make change, but action does not have to be on a large scale to make an impact. As the saying goes, “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.” Little wins add up and can bring unanticipated ripples of change. If a client does not want to entertain the idea of LEED or sustainable features as a whole, collaborate with the design team to find other methods of using building resources efficiently or specifying water-efficient fixtures. These adjustments may seem inconsequential compared to a netzero building, but this is still change that will make a difference.

R Be responsibly revolutionary You (yes, you — the person reading this) have the power to make change happen. You do not need to be a principal at a large firm or the architect on a multimillion-dollar hospital project. Great ideas can come from anyone, and your perspective may unlock other ideas that had not been thought of yet. There are still times when sustainable elements of projects are considered revolutionary ideas. I encourage everyone to continue to bring up these ideas with co-workers, firm leaders, and clients until they become a standard practice.

E Be empowered by empathy Change for the sake of change can have negative consequences and even well-thought-out ideas can have unanticipated impacts. I will never forget hearing Renee Cheng, FAIA, talk about bike lanes and how this common sustainable design strategy was perceived negatively by a community. We cannot assume something will be good for a community simply because it is successful by our standards. Our work as architects directly affects the daily lives of people living in and around our buildings. By taking some time to better understand the communities we are working in, we can create a valued sense of place.

During 2022, the Young Architects Forum will continue to explore innovative ways the practice of architecture can help our environment and build a welcoming sense of belonging within our profession. I hope you will join us as we work together to design for a future with car

Resources: YAF 2022 Priority Overview YAF Mission 2130 BHAG

Jessica M. O’Donnell, AIA

O’Donnell is a project architect at Kitchen & Associates in Collingswood, New Jersey, where she specializes in multifamily housing. She is a 2022 AIA Young Architect Award winner and the 2022 chair of the YAF.

The Young Architects Forum is the voice of recently licensed architects and a catalyst for progress within the Institute.

2022 marks the last year under the 5-year Strategic Initiative of ‘Practice Innovation, Redefining Purpose.’

2022 Priority Areas

CLIMATE ACTION: • Connection Q1 theme is “Climate

Action: Environment, Sustainability, and Practice.” • Feature the work of diverse young architects whose work has a focus on environmental justice and its role in climate action. • Spotlight ways recently licensed architects can build a career on sustainable design. • Amplify existing initiatives and new resources to help young architects to advocate for action. • Partner with COTE to strengthen existing synergies and identify untapped opportunities. CAREER EVOLUTION: • Connection Q2 theme is “Career

Evolution: Outgrowth of Practice

Innovation” • Foster opportunities to create space for discussions on Mental Health in

Architecture. • Collaborate with College of Fellows and Large Firm Round Table to incentivize the creation and proliferation of innovative practice models. • Partner with the Small Firm

Exchange on webinars focused on business topics for young architects. • Explore the ‘new’ workplace psychology. BELONGING + J.E.D.I. : • Connection Q3 theme is “Belonging +J.E.D.I. - Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion” • Create space for growth and learning opportunities, inspire initiatives, and partner with those who have been deep in this equity work. • Amplify the diverse perspectives of young architects through the continuation of our ‘Becoming

Visible’ series. • Share resources for young architects to advocate for more equitable office environments, profession, and communities.

OUTREACH & SUMMIT 30:

• Foster strategic partnerships internal and external to AIA to strengthen collective goals. • Celebrate 30 years of the

YAF committee’s existence by highlighting milestone achievements and events. • Broaden engagement through

‘Mission 2130 Code Red Charrettes’ to crowd-source risks and opportunities related to the built environment’s connection to planetary and human health. • Reevaluate the needs of young architects and push boundaries to propel the profession forward at the ‘Mission 2130 YAF Summit 30’ event in Q3. • Identify the YAF Strategic Initiative for 2023-2027. MENTORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP:

• Empower young architects to advance their careers by making notable contributions to the profession and their communities. • Partner with the College of fellows to propel mentorship through the official rollout and next phases of the YAF + COF ALIGN Mentorship

Program. • Build community within the YAF through virtual happy hours and a

YARD buddy system. • Strengthen existing collaborations with AIAS, NOMAS, and NOMA. • Host a series of Fireside Chats with

Fellows to increase the accessibility of pathways to Fellowship for young architects. CONNECT WITH US: • Issuu: issuu.com/youngarchitectsforum • KnowledgeNet: tinyurl.com/ yafknowledgenet • Instagram/Twitter: @AIAYAF • Facebook: AIAYAFNational

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/aia-young-architects-forum/ • Connection: YAF’s quarterly digital publication is produced by young architects with practical takeaways for all members of our profession. • Toolkits: Resources for young architects and AIA components, past toolkit topics include: ‘How to Facilitate the Emerging

Professional Friendly Firm Program,’

‘How to Start or Grow an Emerging

Professional Committee,’ and ‘How to

Facilitate a Practice Innovation Lab.’