Salute to Construction: American Institute of Architects

The purpose of the AIA is to protect the public, enhance the profession of architecture and promote excellence in the built environment.

AIA gives its members guidance and structure in the architectural profession and construction industries through providing help with credential certification as well as contractual and construction resources.

The Springfield chapter of the AIA was founded in 1964. It meets the second Wednesday of each month. The local chapter has around 150 members. Membership in the AIA is not limited to the design profession. Other trades, professions, and companies affiliated with the construction industry can be allied members. The expanded knowledge base, continuing education opportunities and resources are a collaborative effort that benefit the industry as a whole.

Current board leaders are: Gerri Kielhofner, president; Brandon Dake, president-elect; Jeffrey S. Smith, secretary; Billy Kimmons, treasurer; Todd Bolin, past president; and Jason Hainline, Ryan Faust and Matthew W. Thornton, directors.

The monthly component meeting encompasses local chapter business and learning opportunities for required continuing education credit.

The local AIA chapter coordinates continuing education opportunities for its members and allied members, making it easier to obtain the much-needed learning credits. With much-publicized discussions around green design, the chapter is emphasizing sustainability through this year’s learning credits. Sustainability is the ability to meet today’s design, natural resource, and construction needs in a way that doesn’t compromise the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs.

The local AIA chapter is involved in outreach programs throughout our community, from providing scholarships to local students at Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture to participating in career days at regional grade schools. Local chapter members are encouraged to be active participants of our community.

From the largest building projects to the smallest, every project has unique challenges. Local AIA member architects are professionals who have specialized education and training to help project owners and developers maximize construction dollars, realize design visions and navigate the construction process effectively. With broad but specialized education and training in design and construction, AIA member architects have the creativity and problem-solving skills to provide innovative solutions in efficiency, functionality, and design, while preventing costly construction budget over-runs.

Regardless of the type or size of building projects being considered, AIA Springfield can provide a list of qualified professional architects to aid in the selection process.

“Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins.” – Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe

Russell Moffett is the AIA-Springfield liaison on the Salute to Construction Council. For more information, visit www.aiaspringfield.org.