Although architects play an integral role in the addressing the  housing crisis, historically we have not been strong, collective voice in the affordable housing policy. Reflecting on our work, AIA Oregon recognizes that the design community interfaces with policy makers, developers, and local jurisdictions on a regular basis. In turn, AIAO has founded its first Housing Advocacy Committee with the objective of assembling the design community’s collective knowledge to address disconnects that we as architects have unique insight to. Our Mission is to structure an organized voice of architects that will advocate for affordable housing policies and support the organizations and individuals dedicated to addressing the housing crisis.

The AIA Conference on Architecture and Design 2024 took place last week and wrapped up this past weekend. More than 10,000 design professionals and academics attended the annual conference held this year in Washington, DC.

Our Small Firms Exchange Representative, Jennifer Wright, AIA gives us this AIA SFx resource update:

How to kickstart sustainable practices within your firm’s design process

This April the AIA SFx meeting hosted two architects, Nate Kipnis, FAIA and Bruce Fallon, AIA, who discussed the importance of firms designing buildings that not only look good, but perform well. They shared resources to tame the overwhelm some small firms feel when taking on the AIA 2030 Commitment and championed finding just one thing that can be implemented to lead to bigger lasting change.