Over the past four months, I’ve seen things I didn’t expect — and they’ve been quietly stunning. I want to talk about this because the Institute is us, not ‘them’, members and staff working together.
Humanity and kindness have stood out most. In our conversations, the deep sense of loss following Chido Ziminhu’s passing has been palpable. We’ve also said goodbye to two generous and dedicated Life Fellows — Peter Roy LFRAIA and Jack Williamson LFRAIA — whose mentoring and service shaped many of us. The compassion shown around these moments has been powerful. And it goes beyond grief — I’ve seen people offering time, support, and genuine care for one another.
Dedication to the betterment of architecture and architects. The energy in our committees, awards, Chapter and National Councils, events, and CPD programs is nothing short of remarkable. I’ve witnessed intelligent, engaged, generous conversations, and I’ve seen our Chapter staff give above and beyond every day with grace and commitment.
Resilience and professionalism define both the practice of architecture and the running of our Institute. Members are stepping up to work on positive organisational change. Our board and leadership are working — steadily and thoughtfully — to make the Institute more responsive to your needs. That’s no small task. And across the profession, I keep hearing the stories I’ve always loved: architects going the extra mile, doing more than asked, striving for better, despite tough conditions.
And then — the work itself. Awards season is here, and it’s a reminder of the power of what we do. Our built work is our strongest advocacy. When we focus on substance — sustainability, social impact, ingenuity — these projects speak volumes. They show our stakeholders just how central our profession is to shaping better cities and communities.
That’s why advocacy remains a core mission of the AIA. As the complexity and risk in our work grow, recognition and reward often don’t keep up. So we’re building a stronger advocacy strategy — and your voice is critical to that.
- What issues matter to you?
- What solutions should we emphasise?
Help us speak up, stand up, and shape what comes next.
A lot of the work is done by people who are giving their time for free. If you feel the Institute isn’t delivering for you, come and join us to make a difference.
