Benefits of AIA Membership

 

Why Join or Renew? AIA Member Value!  

A Heritage and Brand of Professional Excellence  

  • With nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA's mission is to serve as the voice of the architecture profession and the resource for our members in service to society. The Institute serves its mission and achieves its goals through advocacy, information, and a community of more than 86,000 members.
  • The AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct provides that AIA members are dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and competence. The National Ethics Council, an AIA Board-appointed body, enforces the Code of Ethics and conducts educational programs at the AIA National Convention and at various other seminars and programs hosted by AIA components.
  • The long heritage of the AIA is a source of pride. Its permanence and ability to adapt its focus over more than 150 years attests to fulfillment of its founders' original intent: to establish a community of architects who work together to serve the profession and society. An AIA member is a part of that community-and thus part of a distinguished lineage of past, current, and future architects.
  • AIA members may show a membership designation (e.g., AIA, FAIA, Assoc. AIA) following their names based on licensure status and other criteria. These designations indicate AIA membership to clients, the public, and other industry professionals. Many emerging professionals who are just starting out and building their reputations feel that the AIA brand validates their professional status.

Here's what just a few of more than 86,000 members recently said about what the AIA represents to them:

 "I value my membership in the AIA because it is a badge of honor to achieve the right to call oneself an architect."     -Timothy Utt, AIA, TU Architecture, South Stafford, Vt. 

"It's a necessity. It's the association for architects. To me, if you're serious about architecture, then it's natural that you would be involved in the AIA."     -Haley M. Gipe, Assoc. AIA, Darden Architects, Fresno, Calif. 

"The AIA is my promise to myself to be a better architect tomorrow than I was today."      -Louis B. Smith Jr., AIA, Microtecture, Charlotte   

A Collective Voice, Your Voice 

  • The AIA provides a structure and a community within which architects work collectively to shape our neighborhoods, our world, and our profession-through action and communication at the local, state, and national levels.
  • The AIA's stature ensures that architects' interests are represented and heard on important issues affecting the profession and the built environment. Architects' expertise and perspectives often affect the outcomes of these issues because policymakers, regulators, the media, and the public see the AIA as a credible source of information.
  • The AIA provides a collective, respected voice for the architecture profession when only a formal organization can speak to governments, key organizations, and other private agencies. Its advocacy gives all members a voice before Congress, state legislatures, city councils, and organizations involved with developing model building and accessibility codes, standards, and guidelines.
  • The AIA provides valuable market research that relies on members' collective participation, including the AIA Architecture Billings Index (ABI), Home Design Trends Survey (HDTS), the Compensation Report, and the Firm Survey Report. Here's what a few of our members have said about the AIA's importance as the architecture profession's collective voice:

"I think most of us have aspirations that are larger than life, and collectively, working together, you can accomplish much more than if you were to try to attempt this singularly."     -Patrick Onishi, AIA, Patrick T. Onishi, AIA Architect, Honolulu 

"Architects have a unique skill set. They're wonderful communicators, they're idea people, and it's a profession that's well respected. People look up to architects and listen to what architects have to say. . . . I also see the power in numbers. With the AIA, those big numbers have the ability to move public policy along."     -Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, Acting Architect of the Capitol, Washington, D.C. 

"Communities are really looking for advice and answers. . . . I went into architecture to make a difference, and when I met other people who wanted to do the same thing, I felt like I had found my group."      -Anne Laird-Blanton, AIA, ALB Designs, San Rafael, Calif. 

"The ABI plays an important role in helping to visualize where the economy might be headed. Since architects have a unique view of planned future construction activity, and future construction activity is a key component in gauging the future health of the overall economy, their input is important."     -Robert L. Hess, AIA, Boise, Idaho 

"The HDTS highlights architects' roles as leaders and experts on our built culture. The general public looks to us for perspective and new ideas. The HDTS compiles anecdotal evidence of changing needs and wants."     -John DeForest, AIA, DeForest Architects, Seattle  

A Network of Support, Collegiality, and Opportunity 

  • The AIA creates opportunities for all architects to connect with each other, share experiences, and celebrate great work-in local and regional communities, at national and international gatherings, and around common interests. The AIA helps architects expand relationships with others throughout the profession.
  • AIA membership provides access to a collaborative network of the right people, the latest knowledge, and cutting-edge tools to create better design and attract new clients.
  • The AIA doesn't mean sacrificing the independent spirit that as architects we treasure and protect. Each of us has needs that are best met by joining with other architects-one-on-one, in local settings, around areas of common interest, or as a unified national and international voice.

Here's what a few of our members say about the networking opportunities they've enjoyed through the AIA: 

"As a young professional, it's a great way to get connected, to network, to find tools that are ultimately going to better help you in your profession."     -Linda S. Nunnelly, Assoc. AIA, Moody Nolan, Washington, D.C. 

"I feel that the main benefit from my involvement with the AIA is networking with my colleagues-to make myself, as a sole practitioner, even better; to be able to collaborate with others; to make my firm and my practice even stronger."     -John A. Padilla, AIA, Padilla and Associates Architects, Santa Fe, N.M. 

"One of the big advantages of being a member of the AIA is the access to not only peers and networking but also to a huge repository of information based on all of the members and their experiences."     - Virgil Green, AIA, Washington, D.C.  

The Knowledge Resource for Its Members in Service to Society 

  • Knowledge and learning are not only core values for architects; they are also core requirements for professional practice through continuing education. The AIA strongly supports a wide range of continuing education programs and knowledge resources focused on the larger role of architects in society.
  • The AIA adds to and facilitates knowledge sharing about design, practice, leadership, and building performance through continuing education, member communities, research support, and development of practice tools and standards that help coordinate the design and construction process.

Here's what a few AIA architects said about the knowledge they have gained through membership:

"The AIA has, without a doubt, the deepest set of resources, of knowledge resources, in architecture that you can find anywhere in the world. It has this because there are more than 86,000 members who are determined to develop the resources day by day."     -Louis B. Smith Jr., AIA, Microtecture, Charlotte 

"My [AIA] membership has enhanced my design skills and capabilities immensely. Through my interaction with other leading professionals around the country, I've been able to understand best practices that they've applied to projects that help me apply better design practice on the projects that I undertake."     -Timothy Hawk, AIA, WSA Studio, Columbus, Ohio 

"I've found that the knowledge resources the AIA provides and the leadership training by being involved in different committees has been irreplaceable. Supplementing the work that you do on a day-to-day basis with involvement in the AIA is incredibly beneficial."     -Kristine C. Royal, AIA, Newport Collaborative Architects, Newport, R.I. 

"Being a new professional, I've been able to get resources in an easy way. The AIA has offered the ARE prep courses, lunch-and-learns, professional development, lecture series-so [membership] has definitely paid off in a short period of time."     -Linda S. Nunnelly, Assoc. AIA, Moody Nolan, Washington, D.C.  

Each year the AIA

AIA Trust - Insurance and Financial Programs for AIA Members.

With so much at stake in your personal and professional life, the AIA Trust benefit programs will help you protect your future, the future of your firm, and the future of your family.

The insurance programs are underwritten by some of the most respected insurance companies in the business, providing complete, competitive, affordable coverage. Independent third party providers, which are licensed agents and brokers, administer these programs. We recommend that you fully investigate all carriers and program providers, coverage, and offerings before purchasing any products.

  • Term Life Insurance
  • Professional Liability Insurance
  • Business Owner's Insurance
  • Disability Insurance; Individual & Firm
  • Healthcare Coverage
  • High Limit Accident Insurance
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Personal Insurance & Identity Theft
  • Retirement Plans
  • Legal Information Service
  • Firm Coverage

For more information, log on to: www.theaiatrust.com

Now, More than Ever, Is the Time to Renew Your Membership

AIA membership is a smart investment in the future of the profession. During a time of economic turmoil, the AIA is committed to listening to your needs, speaking as your voice, and offering you every possible support that can make a positive difference in your career and business, including (to name just a few)

  • Navigating the Economy, an online source of practical information and tools to help architects through the economic downturn. See www.aia.org/navigatingeconomy.
  • AIA Career Center, which includes postings for part-time and contractual work as well as full-time permanent jobs. Always free to job seekers. See http://careercenter.aia.org/.
  • Member Finder, an exclusive AIA-member service that brings prospective clients to you. Showcase your contact information, firm profile, and portfolios online. See http://www.aiasandiego.org/member-finder-0 or  http://architectfinder.aia.org/.
  • Rebuild & Renew, the initiative that helped to increase funds in the economic stimulus plan for school modernization, infrastructure repair, greener construction, and financial relief for design firms-and gave the profession a seat at the table where future spending decisions will be made. See www.aia.org/advocacy/federal.
  • Webcasts, podcasts, workshops, and seminars, including periodic free Web seminars on successful economic strategies and tactics for firms and practices of all sizes. See www.aia.org/conferences and http://info.aia.org/podcasts.
  • And, along with your AIA membership, you will receive a one year subscription to The Architectural Record www.architecturalrecord.com.

Your continued support reaps these dividends, and many more, now and for the future, as these and many other AIA members can attest:

"Why wouldn't you avail yourself of all the tools you have at your disposal? I can't imagine cutting off such a strong knowledge and communication line to not only your colleagues but potential clients, potential initiatives, potential advocacy."     -Kristine C. Royal, AIA, Newport Collaborative Architects, Newport, R.I.  

"Members should renew, now more than ever, for a simple reason: By belonging to the AIA, by being involved, besides getting all of the education and resources the AIA offers, you also get new opportunities to network with other companies. That could lead to work. It's a great business tool. Belonging to the AIA right now and being a member is a small cost for success."-Mario Zacharjasz, AIA, PZS Architects, Philadelphia  

Finally: Don't Miss Out on Any Member Benefits

AIA membership offers so many resources and benefits (far more than we can mention here) that we developed a catalog just to summarize them all!  

If you're on the fence about renewal, the Member Resources Guide from AIA National just might help. Take a few minutes to find out-or remember-everything the AIA has to offer. The Guide is always available to members at www.aia.org/members.

Join the AIA Now! Join Online

Join the AIA online or download a membership application at www.aia.org/join.

 Join by Mail, Fax, E-mail, or Phone

  • Print out the application and mail it with your payment to
    The American Institute of Architects
    c/o P.O. Box 64185
    Baltimore, MD 21264-4185
  • Fax the application with credit card payment information to 202-626-7547.
  • Scan a copy of your application and send it by e-mail to memberservices@aia.org.
  • Call 800-242-3837 to speak directly to an AIA Information Central representative.

Renew Your AIA Membership 

Renew by Mail, Fax, or Phone

Your renewal invoice is available online at www.aia.org/renew.

  • Print the invoice and mail it with your payment to
    The American Institute of Architects
    c/o P.O. Box 64185
    Baltimore, MD 21264-4185
  • Fax the invoice with credit card payment information to 202-626-7547.
  • Call 800-242-3837 to give payment information to an AIA representative.

Membership Dues

For more information on membership dues, please visit our web page at http://www.aiasandiego.org/membership-info.   

Contact Stacey Webb, AIA San Diego, Membership and Administrative Coordinator, 619-232-0109, or AIA Information Central, 800-242-3837, to determine your state and local dues.

Questions? 

Contact AIA San Diego at 619-232-0109 or by e-mail at info@aiasandiego.org or AIA National at 800-242-3837 or by e-mail at memberservices@aia.org.