Happy National Arbor Day! Can we truly be happy, with all that is swirling around us these days? Yes. The imperative is resilience. Personal resilience. While we may not have a sense of peace, it is possible to exist without feelings of despair, and perhaps even live with a spirit of joy. For this example,Continue reading “Happy National Arbor Day!”
Author Archives: The Three Aspens
Congrats to the New AIA CEO!
The dawn of spring, amid Women’s History Month, seems a fitting moment to offer warmest congratulations and enthusiastic support to Carole Wedge FAIA NOMA LEED AP as the AIA’s recently placed Executive Vice President / Chief Executive Officer. How wonderful for the members of the AIA individually and the profession of architecture collectively that sheContinue reading “Congrats to the New AIA CEO!”
Our Collective Voice
Our collective voice. As I pen this article, hundreds of AIA leaders are preparing to visit their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill – activating the legislative segment of Leadership Summit 2026 in Washington, DC. Key word: activating. Key theme: advocacy. Key outcome: action. In recent weeks, many statewide AIA components have held their ownContinue reading “Our Collective Voice”
Happy New Year!
Greetings of the New Year! Every year on December 31, I have the pleasure of receiving an email from a dear colleague, Don Yoshino, FAIA, sharing his sumi-e painting of the Asian animal symbol for the New Year. As always, I was pleased to receive his artistic interpretation and delighted to read his accompanying messageContinue reading “Happy New Year!”
Volunteer, to plant trees.
Volunteer, to plant trees. No, this is not an article about the importance of trees and forests in our ecosystem; watch for that article on April 24, 2026, coincident with National Arbor Day. Instead, today I shall once again speak about the importance of nurturing other humans. (I know that many of my readers areContinue reading “Volunteer, to plant trees.”
The Power of Collective Voice
Although only one architect has served as President of the United States, architects of the 19th and early 20th centuries were members of high councils of decision-makers. They created not just buildings, but organizations and institutions … and … they associated with presidents. Members of our profession served as trusted advisors to leaders of ourContinue reading “The Power of Collective Voice”
Architect of Liberty
“Architect of Liberty.” This inscription beneath the statue of Thomas Jefferson at the entrance of Virginia’s State Capitol (which he designed) speaks of the power of the collective voice. Although only one architect, Mr. Jefferson, has served as President of the United States, the architects of the 19th and early 20th centuries were members ofContinue reading “Architect of Liberty”
Killer Culture
Killer culture. One year ago, my LinkedIn article focused on design culture as a global driver in society (big “C” Culture). This October, my thoughts land a little closer to home as we consider the culture of organizations (little “c” culture). More than 100 years ago, Henry Ford said, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” KeyContinue reading “Killer Culture”
What My AIA Membership Means to Me
During an online event several months ago, the moderator led attendees through a unique ice breaker exercise. He asked all of us to select something from or near our desk and tell a story about that object, but his key request was that the item be fun. I later pondered what I would have selectedContinue reading “What My AIA Membership Means to Me”
From Sculpture to Culture
One of my fellow students in Virginia Tech’s Bachelor of Architecture program concentrated much of his professional career in Alaska – certainly one of the more remote locations to practice! Even so, he exercised his impressive brilliance and enviable talent to cross miles and climb mountains to reach others. Some years ago, Mike Mense, FAIAContinue reading “From Sculpture to Culture”
The Three Aspens 