AIA California is the voice of the architectural profession in the state. Led by a diverse cross-section of architects and design professionals, the Board of Directors governs the organization, setting and promoting public policies which articulate the profession’s viewpoint on the value of design across a wide range of issues.
The policies on this page are AIA California statements of belief to policy-makers, the public, and the construction industry on issues affecting the membership, the profession of architecture, and/or the built environment.
Building Codes
AIA CA supports the adoption and enforcement of building codes and standards that are the product of informed education, research, and review. AIA CA also supports active participation of the architect and public in a consensus process.
Climate Action
Our shared daily experience now dramatically confirms what climate scientist have known for years: severe climate disruption is accelerating beyond the most pessimistic predictions. This crisis is the direct result of human activities and must be urgently addressed by all of us, collectively and globally. The current disastrous impacts of drought, flood, wildfire, record-breaking heat waves, and biodiversity loss in California and around the globe are only a prelude to the climate catastrophe that awaits if our society doesn’t take immediate, urgent action.
Housing
AIA California recognizes the increasingly complex challenges facing communities in developing housing solutions. As design professionals, we accept that stewardship of our communities and our environment is part of our mission, and we stand ready to focus and support the architectural profession in addressing the state’s multidimensional housing crisis.
Energy Efficiency
AIA CA supports a balanced State energy policy that reduces waste of non-renewable energy resources while promoting environmentally sound production of alternative energy sources. In addition, AIA CA encourages continued public and private research and development in all areas of energy-conscious design and technology, with emphasis on the performance of the total building.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
AIA CA champions a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion to create an equitable community for everyone within the architectural profession. Embracing a culture of equity, all AIA California programs and initiatives and their members shall reflect the society we serve, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or religious practices.
Livable Communities
AIA CA believes the design of the physical environment directly affects the quality of our lives. Through collaborative planning and design, architects contribute to creating safe, aesthetic, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable buildings and communities. AIA CA believes that investing in livable communities offers:
Urban Design
AIA CA supports the development of sustainable solutions at a continuum of scales; from global, national, state and regional, to community and site planning, to urban and architectural design.
For more than 150 years, the members of the American Institute of Architects have worked to advance our quality of life through design. From designing the next generation of energy-saving buildings to making our communities healthier and more from vibrant, helping neighborhoods rebuild after disasters to exporting American design know-how to the rest of the world, architects turn dreams and aspirations into reality.
Anti-Trust Compliance
It is the practice of the American Institute of Architects and its members to comply strictly with all laws, including federal and state antitrust laws, that apply to AIA operations and activities. Compliance with the letter and spirit of the antitrust laws is an important goal of the AIA and is essential to maintaining the Institute’s reputation for the highest standards of ethical conduct.
AIA 2030 Commitment
The AIA 2030 Commitment is a challenge set forth by the AIA to its member firms to take a leadership role in reducing the energy consumption and greenhouse gas creation in the buildings we design and operate.
AIA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct
Members of the American Institute of Architects are dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and competence. The Code of Ethics sets a guideline for the conduct of its members in fulfilling those obligations. The Code is arranged in three tiers of statements: Canons, Ethical Standards, and Rules of Conduct.
