Category Archives: Uncategorized

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!”

Formula 1 fervor! Today, my article takes a different turn, literally. Yep, F1! Last year on this date, I celebrated a milestone birthday and decided to spring for travel with my three children to my favorite city in the world: Salzburg, Austria. The trip included components that were professional (incredible tour of mafi – walkContinue reading “Let’s Talk Formula 1!”

“The Sydney Opera House!” Often, when people learn I am an architect, they quickly ask about my favorite building. My down-under response often surprises them. The Sydney Opera House was my top choice throughout my early career, based simply on photographs and images. However, once I saw the Opera House in person ten years agoContinue reading “My Favorite Piece of Architecture”

Congrats, Illya, Josh, and Matt! As we excitedly learned the election results for this new cycle of AIA leaders last week, I could not help but reflect on elections of the past. Following one particularly special vote years ago, I imagined how transformed our profession might be if all architects took a solemn pledge atContinue reading “AIA Conference on Architecture 2024”

Congratulations, 2024 architecture grads! In 2002 – when most of you were just born – the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) published an awesome study called “The Redesign of Studio Culture.” Through their impressive follow-up, AIAS changed the face of studio culture and pretty much transfigured certain aspects of architectural education. Since then, IContinue reading “Congrats 2024 Grads!”