One of the reasons many join the AIA is to be part of the larger architectural community – to share best practices and innovative strategies with colleagues to make the work easier, more responsive to rapidly changing conditions, and just better (in every sense of the word). The value of the AIA is in harnessing that input and using it to guide the organization’s efforts, on behalf of today’s practices, as well as the future of members and the profession.

At the national AIA level, the AIA employs a Strategic Council to provide the strategic foresight into the future priorities of architects and to serve as a “think tank” that goes deep into issues. Divided into work groups, California has four members working for you on these pressing issues: Leah Bayer, AIA, Scott Gaudineer, AIA, Winston Thorne, AIA and Angie Brooks, FAIA (serving as an at-large member).

To be impactful and relevant, they need to hear your voice on these two topics:

Resilient Practice Models
Provide input on external, internal and professional pressures on practice.
Click Here before Survey Closes 07.30.25

Architect of the Future
What types of communities or clients will future architects work with, what inspirations will drive a future architects career, and what values will guide our future design philosophy?
Let us know Watch This Video then Tell Us Your POV in This Survey. Survey closes 07.30.25

Interested in learning more about the work of the Strategic Council and how it will help you? Click here.

In the mid- and long-term, both of these studies have the capacity to change policies that impact the health, versatility, and relevance of practices, and individual careers. Organizations sometimes move more slowly than we might like, but they often do so, to ensure input and direction by as many of those as possible. In this case, for members to pinpoint their exact pressure points and aspirations.

We’re living through challenging times that, if anything. prove: individual voices matter.
Amid resource constraints, divided priorities, and ongoing uncertainty, identifying opportunities to amplify the members’ voice is at center of how AIA California is Working for You.