Who We Are and What We Do

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The American Institute of Architects, founded in 1857, now has over 100,000 members globally, making it one of the largest professional societies of architects in the world, with considerable influence in the global design community. AIA UK is proud to the first international chapter of the AIA.

In 1990, a group of American architects living and working in the United Kingdom came together to establish a local chapter in London. What began primarily as a social vehicle soon grew into something much more. In 1992, AIA UK officially became the first international chapter of the AIA, leading the way for the formal recognition of other international chapters in Continental Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Canada. Today, we are an active and inclusive community of over 400 architects, designers, students, and allied design professionals, working closely with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

AIA UK represents and promotes members’ interests nationally and internationally, running a diverse range of events throughout the year to champion design excellence, and advance knowledge and action on key architectural issues. Current priorities include climate action, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and support for students and emerging professionals.

Find more detailed information about us, what we do, and how you can get involved, below.

AIA UK Mission Statement

To serve members and the architectural community of the UK by:

  • Providing relevant and innovative educational opportunities

  • Promoting ethical and inclusive practices in the architectural industry

  • Promoting good design in all aspects of the built environment

  • Advocating on behalf of the profession in the context of our position in the local community

  • Acting as a liaison between AIA jurisdictions and local UK organisations

  • Facilitating interaction and communication between members, other professionals and industry leaders

  • Leading and supporting the adoption of progressive initiatives addressing the urgent challenge of climate change

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Signature Events

Signature Events are our key regular annual events. Each spring we host our Excellence in Design Awards and Noel Hill Student Research Awards; we celebrate each summer with our Summer Gala; and we host our all-day Student Charrette and our AIA UK/ RIBA Keynote Lecture in the autumn. To be alerted about all of these Signature Events, please subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media.

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General Events

We run a wide range of events throughout the year, from social and networking events, to building tours, technical lectures, talks, climate action events, city excursions, bike tours, and movie nights, as well as a range of student and emerging professional events, almost all of which provide Continuing Education Credits for US and UK registered architects. Check-out all our upcoming events, and to be alerted of all future events subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media.

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Socials

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Architecture Tours

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Talks & Discussions

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Movie Nights

Conferences

The AIA, AIA International, and AIA UK regularly host a series of conferences, which are great opportunities to get your Continuing Education credits, build your community, and stay connected with the latest developments and discussions in the profession. Every year AIA hosts the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design® at a different venue in the US; AIA International hosts both an online and an in-person conference annually too. To be alerted about all future conferences subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media. Below are a few examples of recent and upcoming conferences:

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Our Communal Commitments

We are committed to championing design excellence and the vital role that architecture plays in creating inclusive, sustainable, healthy and thriving communities for all. We actively organise events and seek out partners and collaborative actions that can help achieve this. Where appropriate, and deemed most effective for our Chapter, we sign-up to communal actions on particular topics; so far we have made formal commitments to the following causes:

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Our Current Focus Areas

Amongst our many activities, we are especially focussed on supporting and promoting positive action in the following areas:

Our Policies

As part of our compliance with AIA National requirements for individual Chapters, we are required to state our objectives in a Chapter Mission Statement and to maintain Chapter Policies on various aspects of good governance and professional practice.  

Our Bylaws and Policies can be reviewed in detail following the individual links below:

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AIA International Chapters

As the first international chapter of the AIA, we are proud to be part of a growing global network. Today, AIA has chapters around the world, and we regularly collaborate with AIA Continental Europe and AIA International on joint programs and events. Learn more about our sister chapters here:

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Are You a Member Interested in Volunteering?

We are always looking for creative and enthusiastic volunteers to help with planning and running events, and contributing to our community.

If you are already a member and interested in getting more involved with the AIA UK Chapter, please contact the Chapter Executive for more details: chapterexecutive@aiauk.org. If not, become a member today!

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