Archinect - News

AIA members decry nepotism and other misconduct claims

2024-06-10T16:53:00-04:00

Allegations of executive misconduct on the part of American Institute of Architects (AIA) CEO Lakisha Ann Woods and senior staffers who allegedly engaged in nepotism and other forms of unethical behavior have surfaced amidst the annual AIA24 conference that was held last week in Washington, D.C.

The list of accusations stemming from an April 4th letter signed by more than twenty past AIA presidents calls into question the organization’s leadership at a critical time. In an article published by Bloomberg late Friday, Woods and others were maligned for a series of missteps that includes a $152,000 staff retreat to the Dominican Republic in early March, unlawful firings and other retaliation, changes to the College of Fellows nominations process, and an increasingly toxic work culture within the AIA National ranks.

Additionally, as Bloomberg reported, former Chief Council Terrance Ona has recently entered an employment discrimination suit against the AIA, claiming he was unlawfully te...

AIA elevates 96 architects and two non-members to the AIA College of Fellows

2024-03-01T18:46:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects has selected 96 member architects and 2 non-member architects to the AIA College of Fellows.

A jury of seven-member fellows led by Chair Lisa Lamkin of Brown Reynolds Watford Architects was responsible for the selection process, which vets architects up for consideration for the College of Fellows. The Honorary Fellows were selected by a separate nine-person panel chaired by Sandra Barclay. Each new fellow will be honored at the AIA Awards Gala held June 7th at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

To gain admission, candidates must have at least ten years of AIA membership and demonstrated influence in at least one of the six broad areas, including the advancement standards of practice, promotion of different efficiencies, higher living standards for the built environment, and pursuit of an architecture that is in service to society.

The full list of new member Fellows and their AIA affiliation reads as follows:

Douglass Alligood, AIA...

76 architects elevated to prestigious AIA College of Fellows

2023-02-21T18:14:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects today announced it will elevate a total of 76 member and non-member architects to its prestigious College of Fellows in recognition of their dedication to the profession and significant contributions therein.

Candidates must have at least ten years of membership experience with one of the AIA’s chapters along with “demonstrated influence” in at least one of six broadly defined areas.

Those elevated were selected by a jury that included Chair RK Stewart of RK Stewart Consultants; Carl D'Silva of Perkins + Will; Brown Reynolds Watford principal Lisa Lamkin; Rebecca Lewis of DSGW Architects; KSS Architects’ Pamela Rew; Mahlum’s Anne Schopf; and Allison Williams of AGWms_studio.

The full list of new member Fellows is as followed:

Ronald Abo, AIA Colorado
James Richard Alsop, AIA North Carolina
Steven Kelly Alspaugh, AIA Indiana
Abimbola Asojo, AIA Minnesota
Sara Beardsley, AIA Illinois
Bernita Beikmann, AIA Texas Society of Architects
D...

AIA elevates 88 member-architects and two international architects to its College of Fellows

2022-02-25T14:25:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects is elevating 88 member-architects to its College of Fellows in recognition of significant contributions to the architecture profession and society.

Eligible candidates must have had at least ten years of AIA membership and demonstrated influence in at least one of the following areas: elevating the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession; promoting the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training or practice; coordinating the building industry and the profession of architecture through leadership in the AIA or other related professional organizations; and advancing the living standards or people through an improved environment.

The fellows were selected by a seven-member Jury of Fellows, which included Chair Steven Spurlock, FAIA, Quinn Evans Architects; Rainy Hamilton Jr., FAIA, Hamilton Anderson Associates; Lisa Lamkin, FAIA, Brown Reynolds Watford Architect...

AIA elevates 102 member-architects to its College of Fellows

2021-03-03T13:46:00-05:00

102 AIA members have been elevated to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows in recognition of significant contributions to the architecture profession.

To be eligible for the fellowship program, candidates had to be AIA members for at least 10 years while also demonstrating influence in one or several of these areas: elevating the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession; promoting the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training or practice; coordinating the building industry and the profession of architecture through leadership in the AIA or other related professional organizations; and advancing the living standards of people through an improved environment.

The selection of fellows was conducted by a seven-member Jury of Fellows, which, this year, comprised Chair Nancy Rogo Trainer, FAIA, Drexel University; Mary Johnston, FAIA, Johnston Architects, LLC; Rebecca Lewis, FAIA, D...

AIA names 116 architects to College of Fellows; Grants Bjarke Ingels honorary Fellow status

2020-02-26T15:08:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated 116 architects to its prestigious College of Fellows.

The fellowship program, according to the AIA website, "was developed to elevate those architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level."

In order to be eligible for fellowship, architects must be AIA members for at least 10 years while also demonstrating excellence in a number of arenas, including promoting the architectural profession, advancing the "the standards of architectural education, training or practice," coordinating the building industry and the profession of architecture "through leadership in the AIA or other related professional organizations," or by advancing the living standards of people "through an improved environment," according to the website.

In addition to the 116 Fellows, AIA has recognized five international architects with AIA Honorary Fello...

AIA's 2018 Jury of Fellows elevates 152 member-architects to its prestigious College of Fellows

2018-02-23T19:46:00-05:00

152 AIA members and two international architects have been inducted into the American Institute of Architect's College of Fellows for this year. The College of Fellows is the highest rank within the AIA and is only awarded to those with 10 or more years of membership. Beyond, the honor is given to architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and society on a national level and have demonstrated great influence. Members are assessed by the following:

Promoted the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession;
Advanced the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training or practice;
Coordinated the building industry and the profession of architecture through leadership in the AIA or other related professional organizations; or
Advanced the living standards of people through an improved environment.

Fellows are chosen by the AIA's Jury of Fellows, which, this year, includes Karen Nichols, F...