Author: Jon Bell

Becoming a Citizen Architect: Through the Member's Lens of Testifying to the Colorado State Legislature 

Posted on by Jon Bell

Last month, six Colorado architects testified to the Colorado House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. They spoke in support of House Bill 21-1147: Simplifying Architects Continuing Education Requirement to eliminate the unnecessary continuing education provision requiring proof of retention documentation. Colorado has been the only state with this provision in its architects’ practice act and is atypical among professions regulated by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This is a necessary step toward updating our DORA board’s rules to remove the requirement to maintain forms or quiz results from continuing education courses.

To learn more about their experiences of advocating and creating change in the profession, we caught up with AIA members T J Carvis, AIA; Erin Braunstein, AIA; and Amy Graves, AIA. Below, they share their experience as citizen architects testifying in support of the bill.

AIA Colorado: What were your personal and professional motivations for testifying in support of the bill?

Amy Graves: My motivation for testifying was mainly professional. I previously lived in Illinois, which did not have this extra requirement to document that I retained the material. Here in Colorado, it is onerous to have to complete this documentation and save it just in case I am audited. It is extra paperwork that isn’t necessary.

T J Carvis: My goal in testifying was to promote this bill that would bring clarity to the DORA requirements without lessening the importance of continuing education. I also thought it would be a great life experience!

Erin Braunstein: I appreciate the efforts AIA Colorado has taken to help craft and propose this bill. My representative from House District 34 serves on the committee that was reviewing the bill that day [Business Affairs and Labor].

AIA Colorado: Has the experience changed your view of how architects can advocate for their interests at the state level?

TC: I’ve been active with the AIA’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) for a few years, but I had not testified until this bill. I personally believe that architects should strive to have a bigger voice in the law-making process. We have an opportunity to shape the law in Colorado by providing valuable input to legislators. When aligned with the AIA’s mission, the input may allow architects to more effectively meet the challenges we face as a profession and as a society.

EB: It has underscored for me how important it is for legislators to hear from their constituency as they are reviewing legislation in committee. This was a simple statement of my point of view.

AG: Being somewhat aware of what the GAC does has provided me with the insight on how architects can be influential.

AIA Colorado: What was the “day-of” experience like for you? What happened during the proceedings and how did you feel?

EB: The virtual connection was straightforward, and we had a window of when the agenda would turn to our topic. After I closed my statement, Representative Mullica expressed kind words of thanks. I’m glad I took the small amount of time to participate while the bill was in committee and gaining momentum to be passed in the house.

AG: Nikolaus Remus [AIA Colorado Advocacy Engagement Director] provided the witnesses testifying with the wording of the bill itself and the history behind it. He also suggested making it personal. I wrote out what I wanted to say and how the bill relates to me personally.

TC: Aside from the typical concerns that can arise from the format of a remote meeting, it was enjoyable! I testified in the middle-to-end of the group. I was surprised that even though as a group we did not review our testimony together, everyone spoke of different reasons that they were in support of the legislation.

AIA Colorado: Would you consider testifying in the future?

AG: Yes, I would testify again, and I have been asked to testify in front of the Senate Business Committee for the same bill. I encourage my fellow architects to get involved in something outside of architecture whether it is testifying at the State Capitol or joining your neighborhood group—you never know what kind of influence you can have.

EB: Yes. It felt empowering to speak, be heard, and feel my testimony helped the bill move forward.

TC: Absolutely! Testifying for, or against, a bill is one of the privileges of living in a democracy. It was gratifying to participate.

Witness testimony is a powerful way to directly influence legislation and advance the interests of our profession. Your engagement and advocacy do matter—as proof, House Bill 21-1147 passed both chambers with no objections. The bill awaits the signature of Governor Jared Polis.

2021 Town Hall Recap

Posted on by Jon Bell

In 2020, AIA Colorado introduced a new slate of imperatives: environmental stewardship; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I.); and creating a culture of belonging. To support the latter, we introduced a series of Town Hall events last year by geographical section to better address needs unique to your region and help you connect with architects in your area.

Continuing to bolster a culture of belonging, AIA Colorado hosted yet another Town Hall event in April, with a focus on pivoting post-pandemic. After opening remarks, members gathered into virtual breakout rooms by section—South, West, North, and Denver. We learned best practices from panel discussions, gained insights from experts, and connected over informal conversations. If you missed the event, you can access the recording from the Denver breakout or read on for the highlights from all sections.

SOUTH SECTION – TOWN HALL RECAP

By JP Arnold, AIA Colorado Allied Member, Marketing and Business Development Manager at Bridgers & Paxton

South Section Director James Childs, AIA, led the engaging discussion during our Town Hall breakout session. With a focus on pivoting during the pandemic, topics ranged from adaptability updates to enhancing virtual meetings with clients. Scripting out your proposal presentation, ensuring adequate lighting, and looking in the camera lens were discussed as virtual meeting improvements. Some architects continued a busy design workload while facing challenges of connecting with fellow team members and designers. The absence of water-cooler conversations and impromptu talks about design in the office building had a noticeable effect. A remedy to this in-person disconnect was either meeting at an open-space park or meeting virtually and not discussing work at all during these shorter weekly social meetings.

However, the effects of remote work have resulted in some benefits, as well. Technology has been connecting members across the state verses Denver-based events, and a more connected membership served as a byproduct of this current environment. Finally, in the midst of instantaneous communication and technological capabilities, quality architectural design is a must. Just because a designer can quickly click “send” does not serve our profession well if designers do not take the appropriate time for accuracy and quality standards. Review and coordination must occur with teams and clients. We look forward to future Town Hall discussions!

DENVER SECTION – TOWN HALL RECAP

By Alisa Rice, AIA, Senior Associate at Hord Coplan Macht

Denver Director Julianne Scherer, AIA, introduced and moderated a  discussion with Laura Aldrete, Denver Executive Director of Community Planning and Development. Aldrete oversees Denver’s citywide and neighborhood planning efforts and the implementation of regulations for land use and design. In this presentation, she discussed the department initiatives, goals, impacts from the pandemic, and resources for architects.

The work of the department helps to ensure life-safety and quality-of-life standards, now and in the future. Lessons learned from the pandemic included a more digitized environment. E-permits increased from 75 percent pre-pandemic to 98 percent during the pandemic and predicts in the future they will issue 89 percent e-permits. Compared to 2019, the number of permits did not decrease but the value of projects decreased with more residential projects. There were $5.3B in project value for fees in 2019 and $4B in project value for fees in 2020. The review time for small projects is 5 days, and they are working to reduce it to 2. For complex commercial projects the review time is 2.5 weeks and 5 weeks for Denver Fire. Access e-permits online.

In working with Denver Community Planning and Development, Aldrete would like to see more interactive work sessions with the architects in the future to speed up the process and be able to talk through any comments and responses. They want to make the SPD process more streamlined for all projects. Affordable housing is a crisis now in Denver, and it is a goal of Mayor Hancock to address it. Aldrete said that she would like this to be the first project type to use this process and would also like to consider expedited permitting for affordable housing. Learn more about their “Expanding Housing Affordability” work.

So how do we look forward and be more inclusive? Denver must be a leader in how we achieve equity, climate action, and good quality urban design. We must have community outreach and think about how we can make neighborhoods complete, so all amenities are within a 10-minute walk. We need to improve access to opportunity and reduce vulnerability. She also provided the following resources for Denver architects:

Aldrete also reviewed how architects can have a positive impact on Denver’s growth, enhancement, and preservation. We must think about the long-term impacts of where and how future growth occurs.

WEST SECTION – TOWN HALL RECAP

By AIA Colorado COO Amy Blagriff, Hon. AIA

West Director Sarah Broughton, AIA, led the breakout session for the West. After gathering for a Town Hall in summer 2020, they kicked-off the meeting reflecting on the past year. Since that time, they have began to see urban exodus, which continues to this day. It’s brought many new development opportunities, but also crowding. On a positive note, the net result of new people has been to energize to the West community. They are also reporting a high volume of work that they never would have predicted in a pandemic. Challenges include onboarding new staff, determining which jobs to accept, and understanding topography needs—on the western slope, clients want to see plans by snow melt, which is very different than project needs on the front range.

Within projects, attendees have been discussing the impacts of climate change, rapid growth challenges such as limited permits to drill wells, long-term effects of growth, resource limitations, and fire risk impacts on design specifications. Within the practices, while firms have adapted well to remote work, they reinforced the importance of togetherness. While learning how to work remotely, firms have also come to address the need for more flexibility. The challenge will be in “unwinding,”—how can we use this pandemic as a catalyst for change? What will and should our remote policies look like? How do we identify and correct those things in our culture we now realize were not working as well as we had thought pre-pandemic?

Within client services, in-person meetings now feel very special, yet also odd as there is less physical closeness, for example, hesitation to gather closely around a set of drawings. Clients seem to value firms more now as human, and similarly, architects view clients with more humanity. Some clients have a recession mentality and approach our firm as if they should be grateful to have work. In addition, boundaries have dropped with clients, and impatience is escalating.

With regard to the future, the consensus is that remote work is here to stay. Members of the West have been able to work with clients on a different level than ever before, thanks to digital tools. The challenge will be onboarding and reassessing culture. Overall, employees seem positive and have adapted well. The takeaway: Moving forward: open and direct communication and opportunities for connection will continue to be key!

NORTH SECTION – TOWN HALL RECAP

One of the many perks of the AIA Colorado Town Hall events is the ability to connect with peers regionally in a more informal setting. Leading the North section breakout discussion was North Director Rob Pyatt, AIA, who guided attendees through a group discussion, allowing space for humble conversation to occur, lessons learned to be informally shared, and recognition of achievements, including those newly licensed.

Similar to members in the West, work has not slowed in the North. However, projects are limited. In Boulder, where the cost of land is exorbitant and limited, residential firms are seeing a lot of remodels and renovations.

Within firm practices, the pandemic has shed a lot of light on the additional stressors for working parents. Long gone is the traditional work model of being glued to a desk for 8+ hours straight. Childcare is at the forefront of priorities now. Parents have adapted through working late nights, odd hours, or alternating work and parenting days with their partners. Onboarding continues to be a challenge, and there are employees who have never met face-to-face.

One firm principal acknowledged his own previous reservations surrounding remote work and how the pandemic has shifted his perception. The work is getting done, and the virtual space has created more equity, with more staff being able to attend meetings. Firms are also benefiting from the reduction of time spent on the road to and from meetings.
The takeaway: Backlogs are strong, flexibility is valued, and the challenge will be creating work/life boundaries and adapting the firm culture in this new space.

Save the date! The next AIA Colorado Town Hall takes place on September 15, 2021.

Remote Work Webinar: Takeaways of Benefits and Challenges

Posted on by Jon Bell

Seismic change necessitates innovation. This pandemic has been a forcing function for architects and the American workforce overall. Fortunately, most in the design profession have been able to continue work in some capacity. The questions now are, “How have we as architects and our firms changed and adapted?” And, “Is the new paradigm here to stay?”

Several architects shared their personal and firm experiences during the recent webinar hosted by AIA Colorado, “Remote Work: Here to Stay?” Hosted by the Business of Architecture Knowledge Community, Chair Amanda Christianson, AIA, moderated a panel of four architects: 1) Mary Morissette, FAIA, 2) Mike Piche, AIA, 3) Brenna Costello, AIA and 4) Liz Hallas, AIA.

If you missed the webinar, you can view it on YouTube or read on for highlights from the event.

First, the challenges of remote work.

Mentorship, onboarding new employees, and work/home balance were mentioned by the panel members as the most difficult aspects during this pandemic. Here is this event’s participant poll question breakdown for what is missed most from not working in the office: 44 percent collaboration and learning, 38 percent social interactions, 13 percent mentorship, and 2 percent regularly scheduled days.

Mentorship is at its best when in-person and conducted in an interactive, team environment with drawings or walking the job site. While video calls can connect statewide, it simply falls short to provide a meaningful conduit for mentorship. Mary Morissette, FAIA said, “The lack of mentoring, learning management principles, or technology applications is missing in our profession now. We need to gain back what was lost during COVID.”

When it comes to onboarding, a handshake and guided tour are not necessarily options for new employees. Liz Hallas, AIA, said, “We hired four new people in the last year, and it is has been challenging for them to get to know the team remotely.” Even during video calls, introverts and extroverts may communicate differently, which could make it difficult for people to connect. Yes, technology connects. However, technology may disconnect, as well.

Finally, empathy is the keyword of the work/home balancing act. Working parents have become homeschool parents or perhaps provided around-the-clock toddler care. And even still, medical safety for ourselves and others becomes a critical factor in decisions. Should one go? Should one stay? Of the webinar attendees, 64 percent enjoyed the work/life flexibility. Brenna Costello, AIA, said, “We have a ‘no judgment’ policy on working from either home or the office. No questions asked.” But even so, kids, dogs, and doorbell deliveries are now noticeable in our work meetings. Embrace empathy for others.

Now, here are the benefits.

The conference room and meeting space have suddenly expanded—by a lot. Technology can actually connect those individuals who typically don’t have a seat at the traditional table. Mike Piché, AIA said, “I have talked with some clients I never met before, because they are not the lead person in a project.”

While virtual meetings can be draining, the upside for statewide, regional, or national offices is substantial. The carbon footprint and non-travel benefits reinforce our industry’s pursuit of enriching our environment, and 11 percent of polled respondents liked the lack of a commute. Surely, lessons can be carried forward with this approach.

Regardless of the pros and cons, architects are in the middle of a new reality from a working and designing viewpoint. Three-quarters of participants polled believed a hybrid work model would be continued in six months, with 16 citing in-studio, and 8 percent remote. AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger, Hon. AIA, reminded participants that either way, we should maintain a healthy life balance.

2021 Travel Scholarship Recipients

Posted on by Jon Bell


Each year, the Architectural Education Foundation offers a variety of travel scholarships, intended to broaden architectural horizons. These awards allow AIA Colorado members to grow as professionals to better serve our communities and clients.

The 2021 award recipients have been named. We congratulate them on their awards, allowing them to grow their crafts and careers.

Florence G. and Arthur A. Fisher, FAIA, Traveling Scholarship – $5,000

This travel scholarship has been awarded to Sean Jursnick, AIA, for the project: Studying Smart Cities in Japan and South Korea to contribute to carbon reduction efforts of the AIA and designers in Colorado.

Virginia E. and Robert K. Fuller, AIA, Traveling Scholarship – $7,500

This travel scholarship has been awarded to Ignacio Correa-Ortiz, AIA, for the project: Lessons from Troglodyte Architecture.

James M. Hunter, FAIA, Traveling Scholarship – $2,500

This travel scholarship has been awarded to Sheva Willoughby, AIA, for the project: observation of educational environments in Scandinavia.

Vivian and Hobart D. Wagener, FAIA, Traveling Scholarship – $6,000

This travel scholarship has been jointly awarded to Adam Wagoner, AIA, and Rebekah Wagoner, AIA, for the project: studying eight Norwegian projects by the architectural firm Snøhetta through the lens of five architectural aspects.

Keep an eye on the AIA Colorado website for future travel scholarship opportunities, and special thanks to the Architectural Education Foundation for their financial support.

Together We Stand: A Letter from the AIA Colorado President

Posted on by Jon Bell

Members of the Architecture Community:

Yet again, we feel the urgent need to come together. In the face of violence and such great loss in our own community—on the heels of the frightening shooting in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday, March 22—we reiterate that AIA Colorado is here for you as a safe space.

This horrific act comes just days after the violent actions against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Atlanta. And although we are far from Georgia, it hit rather close to home. In just the last year, we’ve witnessed louder racist voices drowning out those of humanity, diversity, and hope; we’ve seen innocent Black and Brown Americans beaten, bloodied, and murdered by those too ignorant or afraid of the idealistic melting pot America had promised to be for us all; we’ve watched as abuse and attack of human differences was normalized at the highest level of leadership in our country.

On behalf of AIA Colorado, I want to stoke the embers of justice and equity in light of recent extremist, biased, and discriminatory rhetoric we’ve been witness or even victim to this last year. We stand passionately alongside our national AIA partners, our allied professionals, and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) in their recent statements. We denounce all acts of hate against the AAPI community.

Our hearts sit heavy—for our neighbors in Boulder, for our AAPI community, those whose lives were taken, who mourn loved ones, whose stories did not gain national media attention but who still deserve to be protected and supported and welcomed, and for those who have felt the last year drastically and extremely. And still we fight, at AIA Colorado, for a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive world here at home and wherever our work and generally humanity might reach.

While letters such as these are becoming more and more urgent and necessary, they can often feel lonely and hollow. Please know your AIA Colorado community is here for you. Know that we continue to prioritize our contribution to the brightness and positivity in our small part of the world. We stand in solidarity with our minority communities. We pledge to always be a safe place for those who need one, and we condemn any hint of hate, discrimination, and abuse. We urge our members, firms, and community allies to stand up and be vocal and committed in combatting racism.

Our board of directors, committees, staff, and members must be there for one another, and we must also hold ourselves, each other, and our communities accountable. In the words of our National NOMA President Jason Pugh, we must stay B.R.A.V.E.:

  • Banish racism.
  • Reach out to those who are grieving.
  • Advocate for the disinherited.
  • Vote in every American election.
  • Engage each human as you’d have them engage you.

Do this for your fellow AIA Colorado members, your fellow community members, and your fellow humans.
Rachael Johnson, AIA
AIA Colorado President

AIA Colorado’s Bill to Streamline Continuing Education Moves to House Vote

Posted on by Jon Bell

Newly proposed legislation aims to ease continuing education reporting requirements for Colorado architects.

Architects who have completed their Colorado continuing education requirements will be familiar with the state’s rules regarding documentation. Specific language in the Architects Section of the Practice Act directs the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to adopt rules establishing regulations for continuing education and requiring an architect to demonstrate retention of the material presented in a continuing education course. That particular point about demonstrating retention of the material has proven especially onerous for architects throughout the state. While it might sound quite reasonable at first blush, the requirement actually ends up serving no meaningful purpose for the public or the profession.

Architects either pass a test provided by the continuing education course presenter and retain a copy for their records, or they use a DORA Structured Report form to write up a few paragraphs about the course that they then retain for their records. Nothing is done with this paperwork unless an architect is audited, and it serves no other meaningful purpose. In other words, it’s unnecessary bureaucracy. Moreover, it has made regulatory compliance uniquely burdensome for architects. The requirement to demonstrate course material retention is not typical among other licensed professions in Colorado, nor is it common for architects in other states either.

In 2008, AIA Colorado worked with state legislators to introduce SB08-029: Continuing Education Architects, which established continuing education requirements for architects as licensed professionals charged with protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This was part of an AIA push to promote nationwide continuing education standards, which now exist in 47 of the 54 jurisdictions that license architects. In the final version of SB08-029, however, DORA successfully lobbied to include language requiring architects to maintain “professional competency” and prove they retained the knowledge presented in continuing education courses. As there is no legal standard regarding “professional competency,” that language was removed two years later in HB10-1148 Architect License Renew Professional Competency.

In 2020, as the DORA Architects/Engineers/Land Surveyors (AES) Board updated its rules, AIA Colorado formally recommended that the material retention requirement be simplified. The AES Board determined the current arrangement was indeed the best solution they could develop to comply with the law as written. As a result, AIA Colorado has been working with lawmakers to introduce legislation removing the material retention requirement altogether, allowing the DORA AES Board to simplify their continuing education rules. Removing this language promotes consistency across professions and reduces unnecessary regulatory requirements.

On March 3, 2021, HB21-1147: Simplify Architects Continuing Education Requirement was introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives and referred to the Business Affairs and Labor Committee for consideration. The bill has received bipartisan support from legislators interested in reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. Primary sponsors of the bill include Rep. Donald Valdez, Rep. Kevin Van Winkle, Sen. Chris Hansen, and Sen. Cleave Simpson, as well as 16 additional co-sponsors.

On March 17, 2021, our bill passed 13-0 in the house business committee and will move on to a full house vote. Thanks to the following members for testifying in support of this bill: Erin Braunstein, AIA; T J Carvis, AIA; Amy Graves, AIA; Chris Green, AIA; President Rachael Johnson, AIA; and Nikolaus Remus, AIA, Advocacy Engagement Director.

For questions about this initiative, contact Remus at nikolaus@aiacolorado.org.

The Fellowship Journey—by the Numbers

Posted on by Jon Bell

The AIA College of Fellows recognizes excellence in architecture and contributions to our society. Only two percent of AIA’s 95,000 members hold this distinction. But you may be asking yourself these questions… do I qualify for this journey? What is the process? Why should I pursue this journey? What can I do now to improve my Fellowship chances?

AIA Colorado tackled all those questions and more during the recent webinar, “Demystifying Fellowship,” with Phil Gerou, FAIA.

While this process may be lengthy, it is, indeed, achievable with the help of a great mentor and sponsor. The AIA Fellowship journey is worth every amount of effort for you and others, and as AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger said, “AIA Colorado is your friend in this challenging, yet rewarding fellowship process. We want you to have the best chance possible to join the AIA College of Fellows.” Following are Fellowship facts and figures to help you in this journey.

10 years.

To qualify for a fellowship, an AIA member needs to be in good standing for at least 10 cumulative years prior to the nomination deadline. A nomination cannot be submitted by an individual AIA member without meeting one of these two requirements: 1) Support and signature from the AIA Colorado president or secretary, or 2) The signatures of any 10 architects or five Fellows in good standing. The is a non-refundable entry fee of $450 payable to AIA.

One year.  

Expect to dedicate around a year to this process, which does not include any beforehand mentorship, planning, and strategizing. AIA Colorado begins its exploratory search and committee process at the beginning of each year. Submissions are due to AIA typically by October 1. Results are announced at the beginning of the following year.

One sponsor and letter.

It is critical to choose a good sponsor to help advocate on the behalf of your architectural career and influence to our industry and society. Your sponsor needs to be an AIA or FAIA member in good standing. Things to consider include: Will your sponsor clearly and concisely discuss your impact on architecture? Have others adopted your best practices? Do you have any national or regional published works, awards, lectures or AIA volunteering? Note: you can and it is recommended to assist your sponsor in writing the letter.

One of five objects (categories).

Working with your sponsor/mentor, you want to decide which object category is best for you. Here are your options: 1) Design, 2) Education, Literature, Research or Practice, 3) Led the Institute or Led a Related Organization 4) Public Service, Government, Industry Organizations, and 5) Alternative Career, Volunteer Work not Directly Connected with the Build Environment and Service to Society. Key to these categories are exceptional photographs and broad, ripple-effect works that span outside your region and have made a greater, lasting impact on architecture and our society.

Seven reference letters.

While there are no litmus tests during this process, these seven confidential reference letters are essential. Five of the references need to be AIA members. These letters are mailed directly from the reference to AIA. Note: only the sponsor can contact references for these letters.

Seven Jurors.

AIA selects seven jurors nationwide. The juror representing our region conducts a detailed reading of each submission in our region and provides a recommendation to the other jurors. Only six out of the seven jurors vote whether to elevate or not, wait a year, or determine that the applicant is not qualified. This discussion between all jurors is about 10 minutes per submission.

Three Consecutive Years.

An applicant can pursue this fellowship in three consecutive years but would need to wait a year if not elevated and resubmit the fifth year with additional reference letters. Again, AIA Colorado is here to help you with your fellowship application.

“The AIA College of Fellows recognizes exemplary architecture and contributions to our society,” said Gerou. “This is not an end-of-career award but recognizes the architectural ripple effects of our AIA Colorado members.” If you have questions about Fellowship, you can reach Gerou by email at phil@gerou.net.

Financial Gifts Grow, Inspire New Opportunities

Posted on by Jon Bell

In the midst of a pandemic, helping hands changed lives, enabled education, and saved careers. Would you believe it was the vision of a few architects 100 years go—bridged with the spirit of current-day needs—that led to these inspiring stories?

It’s all thanks to the Architectural Education Foundation, which among other things, offers annual scholarships and financial aid, opportunities for which are are now open.

On February 17, AIA Colorado hosted a Financial Opportunities webinar with the Architectural Education Foundation along with previous award recipients to learn how these opportunities helped advance their careers. Following are the three takeaways from the event and greater insight on how you can take part.

1. Apply today!

Webinar attendees heard from AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger and Architectural Education Foundation Trustee Robert Fuller, FAIA. Fuller gave an overview of the three different types of financial opportunities available for 2021: 1) Travel Scholarships, 2) Academic Scholarships, and 3) the Licensure Advancement Fund. March 1 is the deadline to apply!

2. This funding opens doors.

Meg Schubert Allen, AIA, with Stantec is a previous Travel Scholarship recipient and shared the story of her three-week travels to Europe and several Scandinavian countries in 2019. She offered useful tips for applying for the Travel Scholarship such as conducting preliminary research, building a case study, scheduling, budgeting, and planning travel accommodations. Schubert Allen traveled with fellow award recipient and member Drew Allen, AIA. Their experience was richened by proactive planning—the duo requested meetings with those in the profession and found it easier and more impactful to coordinate being on a research trip funded by an AIA scholarship. To this end, having world-class architecture in Colorado can only be realized with sending our local architects around the world.

We also heard from a recipient of the newly launched Licensure Advancement Fund, which helps with exam fees and more. Jenny Kivett, AIA, shared her personal journey of starting her career during the 2008 recession and challenges during this ongoing pandemic. Her vulnerability spoke to the heart of every professional seeking to rise in his or her career. COVID turned the ordinary into an obstacle course that stretched time and miles. A pause in facility testing led to a canceled exam, but Kivett persevered and ultimately passed her remaining exams and obtained her license. Not only was she in career transition, but also, she endured long travels to find a test site—with family in tow. While initially discouraged, Kivett was surprised at the ease of applying for the Licensure Advancement Fund. It was too easy. Are you an AIA member? Yes. Have a need? Yes. AIA is here to help.

Last but not least, an ambitious, first-generation college student, Victor Gonzalez, told his story of seeking and finding how architecture and design would define his academic studies. Victor is a previous Academic Scholarship recipient and is a student in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Environment Design program. When his curiosity of architecture bubbled, Gonzalez’s eagerness sent him traveling out of state to an architecture orientation week. Next, a high school snow day found him applying for RTA Architects student program with one remaining spot on the last day for applications. Today, this young leader gives back by serving on several national and local boards. And heads up—he is expecting to graduate this May!

3. You can use funds in the future.

If awarded a Travel Scholarship or receive support from the Licensure Advancement Fund, you don’t have to use the award today. Particularly given the pandemic, safety, and travel restrictions, you can apply now and use for future travels and exam fees.

AIA Colorado is truly grateful for everyone who contributes to these financial opportunities. These helping hand scholarships and grants are truly game changers for careers, firms, and our members.
To submit your application by March 1, please visit the  AIA Colorado website. As well, you can visit this site to contribute the Architectural Education Foundation. Be part of a 100-year legacy of helping others and your career. APPLY NOW

The Board Breaks It Down: 2021 Association Goals 

Posted on by Jon Bell
Rachael Johnson, AIA Colorado President

Who represents the AIA Colorado Board of Directors? How does their work advance the profession? And what are they working on in 2021? To get a better look inside the Board of Directors and the year ahead for the architecture profession in Colorado, we caught up with President Rachael Johnson, AIA. Read on as she shares more on the “north star” and turning imperatives into action.

A BOARD PRIMER

The AIA Colorado Board of Directors is comprised of members and represents all four corners of the state. Board members, who are selected by a nominating committee, serve between one and three years, depending on the position. You’ll find opportunities no matter your geography or career stage, with Directors representing each geographical region, a seat specifically for an Assoc. AIA member, and even At-Large seats, this year representing higher education and the newly formed Colorado Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Meet the 2021 Board of Directors.

Regarding day-to-day operations of the organization, the Board “sets the north star and big picture strategic thinking,” said Johnson. “We are responsible for keeping the train moving and not necessarily getting into the minutia of what the tracks look like or what each car contains.”

THE BIG PICTURE

In 2020, under the direction of Past President Adam Harding, AIA, the Board revised and launched a new mission, vision statement, and values, with the aim of charting a clearer path for AIA Colorado to move into the future—and align with current-day needs.

The new mission is to, “activate Colorado’s architecture community to advance positive change.” This charge is bolstered with three new imperatives, which were also established in 2020. The AIA Colorado imperatives are as follows:

  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.)
  • Creating a Culture of Belonging

However, more important than naming these imperatives is putting them into action.

WHAT’S NEXT

Aligning with National’s naming conventions, the Committee on the Environment (COTE) will continue as an active AIA Colorado committee to help to advance the Environmental Stewardship imperative, and the ongoing work of the J.E.D.I. Committee helps to advance that particular imperative. Creating a Culture of Belonging supports inclusivity of members across the state and ensuring that all members are represented and heard, regardless of geographic location. That was solved this year by way of newly formed Local Advisory Councils from each region.

When asked what concrete items will be rolled out and how success will be measured, Johnson added, “We are mostly looking at committee structures and how to combine forces” to streamline efforts. Additionally, these committees are cross-pollinating this year in order to create efficiencies and minimize doubling efforts. In doing so, the goal is to create a structure within the organization that better serves members and the overall vision of AIA Colorado. With regard to the imperatives, she said, “I don’t think these will get done in one year; they’re going to take many years of work.”

Because these imperatives are grand in scale, this will be an ongoing effort that needs to be continually reevaluated in order to make sure that the committees, the Local Advisory Councils, and Board of Directors are continuing to live up to the imperatives that have been set forth.

While there may not be an exact metric to deem an imperative a success or failure at the end of the year, the task of establishing a new mission, vision and values; restructuring committees; launching Local Advisory Councils; and developing imperatives was no small undertaking. Your AIA Colorado Board, committees, volunteers, and staff have been hard at work to lay this foundation for this year—and years ahead.

Whether or not they are successful is yet to be determined, but one thing can be certain: the ideals and drive are in place to reform the structure of AIA Colorado and more clearly steer the organization into a position of even greater leadership within the AEC industry.

Equity Resources: Black History Month Edition

Posted on by Jon Bell

The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee continues its series on equity in architecture. From podcasts to film to Instagram accounts worth following, we’re rounding up the best in relevant resources to keep working toward a more equitable profession.

While we work to bring you resources and recognize BIPOC each and every month, in this edition, we acknowledge Black History Month and provide even more resources to raise awareness of racial inequalities.

TO WATCH

Hollywood’s Architect

The first African American AIA member, architect Paul R. Williams, was one of the most successful architects of his time. But at the height of his career he wasn’t always welcome in the buildings he designed because of his race. Hollywood’s Architect will tell the story of how he used talent, determination and even charm to defy the odds and create a celebrated body of work.

TO READ

Design Justice

What is the relationship between design, power, and social justice? “Design justice” is an approach to design that is led by marginalized communities and that aims explicitly to challenge, rather than reproduce, structural inequalities. It has emerged from a growing community of designers in various fields who work closely with social movements and community-based organizations around the world. Even better: The link above takes you to purchase via the Black-owned Denver bookseller, Matter.

TO FOLLOW

@archsowhite

The @archsowhite Instagram account visualizes racial inequality in Architecture.

TO INSPIRE / DONATE

Eames Lounge x Mike Ford Mashup

Herman Miller and Hip Hop Architecture Camp Founder Michael Ford are collaborating to provide a platform for honest conversations about racial inequity, social justice, and hope—by way of a remixed iconic design. 

When Charles and Ray Eames conceptualized the Eames Lounge Chair, they defined it as a “special refuge from the strains of modern living.” In continuing this mission, Michael Ford redesigned the iconic chair with handwritten names of victims of racism in the U.S. as a stark reminder that these Black men, women, and children were not afforded the privilege of refuge. 

The chair will travel through February 2021, hosting conversations surrounding racial disparities. Donations support the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, internships, and give you a chance to win the chair.

TO LISTEN

Podcast: Yo! Is this Racist?

Yo, Is This Racist?, hosted by Andrew Ti, creator of the popular blog of the same name, is now a weekly podcast! Every Wednesday, Ti, co-host Tawny Newsome, and their guests answer questions from fan-submitted voicemails and emails about whether or not something is, in fact, racist.

Looking for more books, podcasts, and articles?
Visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness page to see the full series. 

© AIA Colorado 2026