Author Archives: The Three Aspens

Last time, I spoke of having a thankful spirit. Today, we express that gratitude to our entity-of-choice for their important work. I encourage everyone to select a worthy organization or worthwhile cause to support on this Giving Tuesday! For my part, I lift up my cherished hashtag#AIAVirginia colleagues, who in 2015 generously established a fellowshipContinue reading “This Giving Tuesday”

Much appreciation for the under-appreciated! As Thursday approaches and we all pause (one hopes) for a time of Thanksgiving, I can think of no better moment to celebrate the true heroes of the AIA: the chief executives and staff team members who serve our local and state components. (When I reflect on the ‘care andContinue reading “Much appreciation for the under-appreciated!”

More on Design Culture. Last month for World Architecture Day, I introduced the topic of design culture. Design thinking. The value of design. Today, I return to these topics since LinkedIn’s (understandable) character limit did not allow me to cover everything I wanted to share! Designers are trained to solve problems, make ideas visible, envisionContinue reading “More on Design Culture”

Symposia and seminars and summits, OH MY! There are many reasons for us to attend various AIA-offered conferences and conventions. Based on my own attendance history, I could go on and on about inspiring keynote speakers, world-class educational opportunities, and meeting individuals on the cutting edge of materials, products, and services. Above all, though –Continue reading “Symposia and seminars and summits, OH MY!”

DESIGN CULTURE. World Architecture Day strikes me as the perfect moment to speak about a crucial worldwide topic: the value of design. Individuals, governments, communities, and societies around the globe are gradually coming to understand that many of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century – livability, public health, resilience, urbanism, climate change –Continue reading “Design Culture”

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 InstituteContinue reading “The AIA Abroad!”

Have times changed? Today I share a story of blatant discrimination about which I have barely spoken in 28 years. Moving through my early tenure of AIA service, I seldom experienced the glass ceiling at either the local or state levels; my colleagues were thrilled to have me move into leadership positions. They were excitedContinue reading “Have Times Changed?”

A summer of “strategery”* … with three very distinct organizations and three quite distinctive plans! I was proud that these entities selected The Three Aspens, Ltd. to facilitate their strategic planning efforts and pleased to support their respective processes: hashtag#AIA North Dakota, retreating in Fargo with key players: President Chris Hawley, AIA; President-elect Nate Vollmuth,Continue reading “A Summer of “Strategery””

Learning to listen. In my last LinkedIn article, I touched on the enduring theme of public awareness as a desire among many across our profession. While this overarching goal has not changed, the way architects and designers approach the public to achieve it definitely has, for the good. To be truly useful, communication must beContinue reading “The Impact of Architecture”

As I travel around the country supporting the strategic planning processes for state and local AIA components, ‘public awareness’ still tops the list of what architects desire most from their AIA. This theme has persisted for many years, yet somehow it seems more urgent these days … even though design is more front-and-center than perhapsContinue reading “Public Awareness!”