The AIA Abroad!

Throughout the recent display of harmony, purpose, and ambition shared through the Games of the 33rd Olympiad in Paris, I was reminded of how compelling our global connection truly is. A highlight: during my AIA presidency a decade ago, I had the special honor of chartering AIA Shanghai, a new component of The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Institute Secretary Richard DeYoung, FAIA joined me on September 23, 2014 for a gala celebration and special presentation to local leaders, AIA members, and Chinese dignitaries. AIA Shanghai became the sixth International component of the AIA and the first in mainland China.

The process of establishing AIA Shanghai took over four years to realize and involved dozens of individuals (both here and there) who were deeply committed to making this happen. Within a government that does not recognize non-profit organizations, we jumped through numerous hoops and made significant investments to create the proper legal, administrative, and structural framework to support the membership across that vast country. Now, that chapter joins with Beijing as ‘home’ to several hundred AIA members!

In the ten years since, the AIA has chartered components formally in Canada and Marianas, in addition to establishing a broader, stronger network of sections around the globe, supporting concentrated groups of members on almost every continent. In some cases, these members are ‘ex-pats’ – practitioners from the United States who live and work abroad. More often, these members attended college in America and wish to retain their connection to the United States. Most of all, these professionals are major fans of the AIA. They somehow seem prouder to be a member of the AIA than our stateside members; they see great value in being a part of our professional society. So much so, in fact, that I wish EVERY member of the AIA could look at the value of AIA membership the way these members do. They are pleased to have those three letters (and everything that accompanies the acronym) AND are gratified by what the designation means to them in their varied practice settings.

Happy Anniversary to AIA Shanghai | Beijing, and warmest wishes to all of our International colleagues – our treasured friends in this worldwide union!

Photo Credit: Christopher Chan, September 23, 2014 in Shanghai, PRC