Evolution follows Innovation: Future Forward

How will we evolve as a profession?

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Young Architects Forum, architects from around the country were challenged in a three part series to answer, “What comes after the 2030 commitment ends?”. Our innovative, forward thinkers brought forward insightful solutions utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a vision of the future for the next 100 years. With immersive technologies and skills at the helm of our daily practice, the future of our work is dependent on our ability to adapt, evolve, and maintain a human-first approach.

Architects are venturing beyond design, into policy and actionable change in their professions to develop a future shaped by the needs of our communities. As architecture advances alongside technology, we must understand that with automation and additional data comes potential biases, similar to architectural iteration.

As we will hear from our [Blank]ism team members, “The future relies on transparency and diversity in the process.”

In this issue, you will read about the findings and personal experiences of the Mission 2130 attendees, hear from our experts on the future of AI in architectural practice, and hear about the history of the YAF Summit and how we’ve come to the way we practice today. External factors driving resilient development, like property values, legislation, and tax credits will inspire you to seek changes in policy and take initiative in your local community.

We are at the cusp of great innovation and revelation in the times ahead. As we launch into the future, our YAF Strategic Initiative for 2023-2027 is Architects in Action, Catalyzing for Change.

How will you bring that change?

Editorial committee call

Q2 2023:

Call for submissions on the topic Advocacy and Empowerment.

Our editorial committee welcomes the submission of articles, projects, photography, and other design content. Submitted content is subject to editorial review and selected for publication in e-magazine format based on relevance to the theme of a particular issue.

2023 Editorial Committee:

Call for volunteers, contributing writers, interviewers and design critics.

Connection’s editorial committee is currently seeking architects interested in building their writing portfolio by working with our editorial team to pursue targeted article topics and interviews that will be shared amongst Connection’s largely circulated e-magazine format. Responsibilities include contributing one or more articles per publication cycle (3–4 per year).

If you are interested in building your resume and contributing to Connection please contact the editor in chief at: gbermea@vlkarchitects.com.

Gabriella Bermea, AIA, NOMA

Bermea is an Associate and Design Architect at VLK Architects in Austin, Texas and serves as the 2023 Communications Director of the YAF.