AIA Pittsburgh’s Young Architects Forum (YAF) seeks to support and encourage young professionals in the field of architecture to obtain their license, become more involved with career development opportunities, and engage allied professionals through collaboration. Members of this committee continuously seek out new and fresh ideas and the energy and resources to implement them – and to have fun doing it.
For a full list of upcoming events, please refer to the Young Architects Instagram Page.
More committee members means we get more done! Interested in joining us? Click here for more info:
Join us
Get to know Anjali in her dossier and learn about her experience transitioning from school to practice, what she’s up to when she’s not working, and some of her favorite things.
The goal of the Young Architects Studio Competition is to engage young architects, emerging design professionals, and students to find new and innovative ways to approach a regional design challenge.
Considering the goals of the Pittsburgh 2050 Comprehensive Plan emphasizing equity, resilience, livability, and economic opportunity, last year’s competition challenged architects and designers to propose an architectural intervention located within the North Shore or Downtown Pittsburgh that bridged short-term event-based use with long-term community relevance.
The winning project was The Connection by Alyssa Penrod of RM Creative.
View the jury comments here and all of the 2025 submissions here.
Hear from the officers
“YAF is a flexible organization. It can adapt to what emerging professionals need, whether that means helping new graduates find their first job, demystifying the ARE process, or advancing at a current position. The focus is different every year, and we encourage anyone who is interested to join us at an upcoming session and share their thoughts and aspirations with us.”
“Community and learning! YAF offers a strong support network of professionals outside your firm who are working toward similar goals. The events provide a great platform to share knowledge, gain new experiences, and grow your career through the collective passion for architecture. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to meet new people and make friends who strive to make a difference through design!”
“A great benefit of YAF is that it places you in connection with a larger community of young, talented designers who are all in similar stages of their career. YAF offers resources for support and community for its members. You become engaged with the architectural scene beyond the walls of your firm, and you just might make a friend in the process!”
“To reciprocate the kindness and determination that YAF actively brings to empower emerging professionals on their career journey. Providing opportunities to get involved with the greater architecture community, make meaningful connections with peers, learn from various industry professionals, and grow from YAF’s many resources.”