Architects in Action 2020: Coffee and Conversation

Yanitza Brongers Marrero, AIA grew up in Puerto Rico and attended what was then the only architecture school on the island; she was one of just 60 students accepted that year. Now she is the Principal and Director of Housing Studio at Moody Nolan focusing on designing unique living spaces people are proud to call home. She was the first Hispanic President of AIA Columbus in 2019 and embraced one of AIA Columbus's strategic goals: to push for diversity and to ensure that design is inclusive and addresses multiple perspectives.

Patri Acevedo, AIA, NOMA is a Market Leader for JLG Architects. An engaged and passionate civic leader, Patri is the immediate past President of AIA South Dakota and serves as an At-Large Member in the AIA National Strategic Council where she is a co-convener in the Rural Agenda study area.

Please join us to on Tuesday, August 25th  from 3-4pm EST to learn more about how architects can play a huge role in creating livable cities through thoughtful planning while being mindful of social, economic, political, and climate issues on every project.

AIA 2020 Policy Platform

A message from Timothy Hawk, FAIA
Chair, AIA Government Advocacy Committee

As a fellow architect and chair of the AIA Government Advocacy Committee (GAC), I am excited to finally share with you the 2020 AIA Policy Platform ! This Policy Platform serves as a statement on AIA's policy priorities for the final U.S. presidential candidates and administration. The AIA is launching this Policy Platform in an effort to better define our advocacy priorities for the next administration and Congress, and to ensure that AIA's voice is heard.

This is the first time that AIA has provided a Policy Platform to the major presidential candidates, Congress, and other policymakers. AIA was very intentional in formulating a singular platform statement, rather than a partisan one. We hope that this will encourage members of all political parties to reach across the aisle to better address the growing needs in the built environment and beyond. I think we can all agree that the acrimony in Washington continues to stifle productivity and progress. 

AIA has already shared its Policy Platform with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC). The Policy Platform focuses on three key areas: the economy (infrastructure), climate action, and healthy and equitable communities.

It is critical to note that the AIA GAC worked with AIA Knowledge Communities, component executives, and leadership to establish the parameters and substance for this Platform. If you find the AIA 2020 Policy Platform as inspiring as I do, please feel free to share it with your friends and colleagues. AIA will also be working with interested component leaders to further distribute this to state and municipal leaders.   

Finally, it is more important than ever that we, as architects, exercise our right to vote. If you would like to register to vote or request an absentee ballot, please go to the AIA's Voter Registration Center. You will find information about the candidates, absentee voting, early voting, and more.

In the meantime, be safe and be well.

Thank you,

Timothy Hawk, FAIA
Chair, AIA Government Advocacy Committee