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Former AIA President Peter Exley is appointed Architecture Dean at Robert Gordon University's Scott Sutherland School

2023-03-30T17:13:00-04:00

Former AIA President Peter Exley has been announced as the new Dean of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Exley, who is currently an adjunct professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, will replace interim Head of School Bassam Bjeirmi, beginning in May. He comes to the position with numerous academic awards, including the 2002 Contribution to Art Education Award from the Illinois Alliance for Art Education; the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the National Art Education Association; and the Nathan Clifford Ricker award for Teaching in Excellence, which he won in 2017.

“Robert Gordon University has a strong strategic plan and a vision to ensure that as a university community, we are aligned with the critical issues of our time,” Exley told Archinect. “For me, this is an exciting transition from my practice, and time as a leader in the AIA. The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture a...

AIA Chicago honors former chapter President Peter Exley with a Presidential Citation Award

2021-12-09T18:09:00-05:00

The AIA Chicago has honored one of its own with a Presidential Citation Award. Current AIA National President Peter Exley, FAIA, RIBA was recognized Wednesday for his ongoing work advancing the architectural profession begun more than three decades ago when the young Newcastle University and University of Pennsylvania graduate took a role in the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Exley was commended by chapter President Jessica Figenholtz for his “spirited service to the Institute and our profession; advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion; leading the architectural charge against climate change; and representing Chicago with the upmost professionalism.”

Exley served as President of the Chicago chapter in 2013, and has since risen to the highest national position within the organization after being named the AIA National President in 2020. Exley has lectured at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for 29 years and keeps an office in the city through his fir...

AIA teams up with members of Congress to address student loan debt forgiveness

2021-09-28T16:40:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced that they are working with members of Congress to help craft student loan debt relief and create more entryways towards the architecture field.

The potential pathways for student loan debt relief include service-based loan forgiveness in the Civilian Climate Corps, a newly proposed $10 billion program that would employ young people to short-term jobs or training programs that focus on renewable technology and building resilience against the threats of climate change. AIA is teaming up with the American Bar Association to highlight that high student loan debt is an equity issue that deters students from considering professions in architecture.

AIA 2021 President Peter Exley, FAIA, and AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA, met with South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn on September 21 to explain how student loan debt is negatively impacting the architecture profession.

“AIA stands ready to work with Congressman...

AIA applauds new building-specific provisions in the Senate infrastructure bill

2021-08-12T12:33:00-04:00

The AIA is applauding Congress as the latest iteration of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this week includes for the first time key provisions that it says will help modernize the built environment at a critical junction for building safety and adaptability nationwide.

Speaking in a press statement, AIA President Peter Exley said that “to meet the challenges of the 21st century, our nation’s infrastructure funding needs to move beyond roads and bridges to include schools, hospitals, homes and more, especially as buildings contribute nearly 40 percent of worldwide carbon emissions.”

He added: “This bipartisan legislation represents an important step toward improving our nation's buildings. However, we urge lawmakers to ensure greater funding for building improvements is included in the Budget Reconciliation package. By doing so, we can make meaningful progress on reducing the built environment’s impact on climate change."

Previously on Archinect: The deadli...

Peter Exley inaugurated as 2021 AIA President

2020-12-11T12:47:00-05:00

Architect and educator Peter Exley, FAIA was inaugurated as the American Institute of Architects' 97th president yesterday.

Exley is the co-founder and director of Chicago-based architecture, design, and consulting firm, Architecture Is Fun, Inc., which won the AIA Chicago Firm of the Year award in 2017.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (Master of Architecture) and Newcastle University (Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies), Exley has been an adjunct professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) for more than two decades.

Within the institute, Exley has served as the at-large-director on the AIA Board; chair of the AIA’s Public Outreach Committee; 2013 president of AIA Chicago; Illinois regional representative to the Strategic Council; and liaison to the AIA’s Young Architects Forum.

"While I’m not naïve to the challenges our profession, industry, and society have been dealt in the face of the pandemic, I would like my tenure in 2021 to facilitate ...