Archinect - News

Evelyn Lee inaugurated as the 2025 AIA President

2024-12-17T13:54:00-05:00

Evelyn Lee’s ascension to the 101st President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) was capped by her inauguration ceremony last week. The Bay Area-based architect and designer follows Kimberly Dowdell and Emily Grandstaff-Rice to become the third consecutive female architect to hold the position.

The AIA's press release highlighted her "technology-driven focus," along with her involvement in other areas of business as an investor and startup advisor, as professional highlights to coincide with her involvement on the Board of Directors of Shepley Bulfinch and Luckett & Farley.

"The rapid pace of technological and environmental change has created challenges that can feel overwhelming," Lee commented. "But moments of tension and uncertainty—are also opportunities. They call us to come together, collaborate, and remind ourselves...

Evelyn Lee is named 2025 AIA President

2023-06-09T15:47:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has formally announced AIA San Francisco and AIA California chapter member Evelyn Lee as its 2024 First VP President-Elect and 2025 President.

Lee is currently the Global Head of Workspace Strategy and Innovation at Slack in San Francisco and is also a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). She also served as the AIA National Treasurer from 2020 to 2021 and comes to the position with extensive experience within the organization, including a stint as the Past Chair of the Young Architect's Forum and National Associates Committee.

Lee has also contributed to the profession as a design strategist and writer, discussing with Archinect in a 2018 featured interview that she sees a need for manifold changes throughout the profession for architecture to maintain its relevance in society more broadly.

"Architects need to take hold of our identities as multi-faceted problem solvers, conveners, and human-centered design th...

Kimberly Dowdell elected as AIA's 2024 president, the first Black woman in the position

2022-06-17T17:40:00-04:00

Architect, real estate developer, educator, and former NOMA national president Kimberly Dowdell has been elected as AIA’s 2023 First VP/2024 President-elect. She will be the 100th President of AIA and the first Black woman to sit in the role. Dowdell is joined by Britt Lindberg who was elected as the 2023-2024 AIA Secretary, and Illya Azaroff as the 2023-2025 At-large Director.

Dowdell has been an AIA member since 2007. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 2006, which was followed by a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University in 2015. A Detroit native, Dowdell’s career has been driven by her mission to revitalize cities using design.

Previously on Archinect: Architect Kimberly Dowdell uses her hometown of Detroit as a catalyst for teaching equitable urban design practices

She currently works as the marketing principal in HOK’s Chicago office. Dowdell’s work with AIA includes participating on the Equity and the Future of Architecture Com...

Managing the business direction of a design firm is an art unto itself

2022-05-16T09:27:00-04:00

Architecture isn't just a profession; it's also a business. Developing a sustainable business model is essential whether you're starting your own architecture firm or working for one. Everyone has their take on what makes a business development strategy "successful." However, since 2020, it's clear that firms need to re-evaluate their business models to survive a global pandemic, a recession, and the socio-economical impacts happening around the globe.

While this isn't the first time the industry has undergone such obstacles, it is essential to have the knowledge and business acumen to navigate them. There are plenty of components to keep your business afloat and turn a profit. Between client acquisition and retention, managing project deliveries, establishing partnerships, and effectively marketing your practice, there's a lot to consider.

At Archinect we like to provide the community with information and resources to navigate the ups and downs of running a practice. Our ongoing St...