AIA Springfield encourages community involvement

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Tom Fish, an architect with Fish Architecture & Consultants in Branson, is past president of American Institute of Architects-Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

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The American Institute of Architects is a national organization with regional, state and local components made up of registered architects, intern architects and allied profession members. AIA-Springfield is the local component with a membership of about 125 icluding associate and allied members from the counties of southwest Missouri. |ret||ret||tab|

At the state level, AIA-Missouri is active in legislative issues meetings in Jefferson City. Members interact with legislators and state leadership regarding issues that impact the construction industry and the practice of architecture. At the regional level, Central States AIA comprising Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas rotates its quarterly meetings around the region. These meetings allow local and state leadership to hear about national issues and provide AIA-National feedback through the regional directors.|ret||ret||tab|

The mission statement of the American Institute of Architects reads: "The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architecture profession dedicated to serving its members, advancing their value, and improving the quality of the built environment." The organizations' vision statement reads: "Through a culture of innovation, the American Institute of Architects empowers its members and inspires creation of a better built environment."|ret||ret||tab|

Recently, John Taylor, AIA, was interviewed to gain insight into the history of AIA-Springfield. The local chapter was officially chartered in October 1965 at the Central States Regional meeting in Kansas City. |ret||ret||tab|

Prior to this, Southwest Missouri Architects Association was the local professional organization with membership in the AIA available through the Kansas City chapter. John Taylor was the last president of SMAA when AIA- Springfield was organized as the third chapter in Missouri, after St. Louis and Kansas City.|ret||ret||tab|

Among the charter members were A. C. Esterly, Richard Stahl, Eugene Johnson, Gene Butler, Dale Almon, Hal Hawkins, Ernie Ward and Joe Amspacher. Hawkins worked hard to establish the local chapter and Stahl was elected the first president. An inaugural dinner and installation of officers was held at the Kentwood Arms with representatives of the Kansas City chapter conducting the induction ceremony. In the early years, one meeting a year was held in Joplin. |ret||ret||tab|

Taylor indicated the local chapter hosted a few AIA-Missouri conventions. He especially remembers the 1975 meeting held at the Kentwood Arms where Ed Albin, director of the Southwest Missouri State University arts department, was the opening speaker and captured everyone's attention. In 1982, another statewide meeting was held at a Table Rock Lake resort where Taylor was presented the George Barnett Missouri Architect of the Year Award. |ret||ret||tab|

Richard Stahl, FAIA, is the only Springfield architect to be named to the AIA College of Fellows. The College of Fellows comprises members of the institute who are elected to fellowship by a jury of peers. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member. Elevation to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual, but also elevates those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society.|ret||ret||tab|

The current officers for AIA-Springfield are Doug Sampson, president; Scott Ward, president-elect; Jeff Smith, secretary; Ken Stufflebeam, treasurer; and Tom Fish, past president. Directors are Michael Buono, Chuck Foster and Chris Swan. |ret||ret||tab|

Every other year AIA-Springfield sponsors a design awards program recognizing excellence in architecture. Each year the chapter provides a scholarship for a Hammons School of Architecture student that is awarded at the Salute to Construction Banquet. The chapter holds an annual golf tournament as a fund-raiser for the scholarship. |ret||ret||tab|

AIA-Springfield luncheon meetings are held on the second Wednesday each month at the Hammons School of Architecture. These meetings provide information and communication opportunities as well as continuing-education credits. The chapter provides speakers for career days and other school events. With these presentations young people can explore architecture as a profession or investigate other allied career fields. Board members serve on other industry related committees in the community. The local chapter encourages architects to become involved in the community. Community service and outreach are important to AIA-Springfield and our chapter's resources are available for assistance to the community. |ret||ret||tab|

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