American Institute Of Architects Article Index for
American Institute
Website Links For
American Institute
 

Information About

American Institute Of Architects





HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In the 1800s , anyone ( Mason s, Carpenter s, Bricklayer s,...) could claim to be an architect; no schools of architecture or architectural licensing laws existed.

On February 23 , 1857 , a group of 13 architects in New York City ( Richard Upjohn , H. W. Cleaveland , Henry Dudley , Leopold Eidlitz , Edward Gardiner , Richard Morris Hunt , J. Wrey Mould , Fred A. Peterson , J. M. Priest , John Welch , Joseph C. Wells , and Charles Babcock ) met to form the organization (originally ''New York Society of Architects'') with Richard Upjohn as its first president.

The mission statement was modified in 1867 :
''"The objects of this Institute are to unite in fellowship the Architects of this continent, and to combine their efforts so as to promote the artistic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession."''


The short-lived ''Western Association of Architects'' (WAA) in Chicago , which championed licensure for architects, merged with the AIA in 1889 .

In 1898 , the Institute moved to Washington D.C. where a large number of public building projects were being commissioned by the federal government, to be paid for with funds controlled by Congress . The AIA was headquartered in The Octagon , a historic house built in 1799 , and Glenn Brown became Executive Secretary .

The U.S. Commission Of Fine Arts was established in 1910 .


MEMBERSHIP

The AIA membership has grown to over 75,000 with more than 300 chapters, called ''components'', in the U.S. , UK , Europe , and Hong Kong .

membership classifications:
  • AIA (licensed architects)

  • Associate AIA (interns, academics, nonlicensed architects)

  • FAIA (Fellows of the AIA)

  • AIA Emeritus (retired licensed architects)


Louise Bethune was the first woman member.


HONORS AND AWARDS

Achievement

  • Housing Committee Awards

  • AIA/ ACSA Topaz Medallion

  • AIA/ HUD Secretary Awards

  • AIA/ ALA Library Building Awards

  • Design

  • AIA/ALA Library Building Awards

  • Regional & Urban Design

  • Architecture

  • Housing Committee Awards

  • AIA/HUD Secretary Awards

  • Twenty-five Year Award

  • Interior



SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINK