Prospective minority architects are disproportionately deterred from starting or completing the path to becoming an architect, in large part due to how financially prohibitive it can be to pursue a career in Architecture. In 2020, we held a series of conversations with members and leaders from NOMA Pittsburgh, AIA Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Architecture Foundation to brainstorm possible ways to reduce the profession’s financial barriers and support the growth of a more inclusive and representative Pittsburgh Architecture community. As a result of these discussions, we formed the Minority Architects of Pittsburgh Scholarship (MAPS). This week, we launched the inaugural MAPS application with a submission deadline of Nov. 17, 2021. MAPS is specifically for minority architects, architecture students, and high school...

Nominations due Thursday, October 7th, 5:00pm. The AIA Pittsburgh Governance Committee is compiling a list of nominated and solicited names for the following positions for the 2022 AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors. (3-4) Directors (3-year term, 2022-2024, renewable once) (1-2) Associate AIA Directors (1-year term, 2022, renewable once) Board membership requires time and commitment. It also provides an opportunity to help shape your Chapter as we continue to grow and evolve. Board membership offers leadership opportunities, strategic thinking and creative problem solving skill development, as well as learning how the local chapter connects to state and national issues that architects can affect. Responsibilities and expectations of Board members can be found below. Anyone can apply, though we are particularly seeking...

On September 1st 2021, the Allegheny County Board of Health voted to approve changes to the plumbing code that are a welcome shift toward inclusivity and greater access to restrooms for people of all genders, especially our Trans, Intersex, and Nonbinary community, as well as people with disabilities and their caregivers. AIA Pittsburgh’s Equity Diversity & Inclusion Community and Advocacy Committee have been following this issue, with members of both committees attending virtual hearings. The approved revisions pertain to Article XV: Plumbing and Building Drainage, including the footnotes to Table AC-403.1 Minimum Number of Required Plumbing Fixtures, and Section 403.1.2 Family or assisted-use toilet and bath fixtures. For many building types, the ACHD requires more fixtures than the 2015 IPC,...

The built environment is not neutral. It either enables progress or obstructs it; contributes to wellbeing or disturbs it. Our region is experiencing the most development it has seen in decades with buildings that will be around for the next 40 to 120 years. Because development impacts people in our community today and for years to come, there is an urgency to be thoughtful and informed about what we are cementing into new places and spaces. And yet, we as a society and a region do not talk about how buildings impact human wellbeing. Blueprint for Better: Pittsburgh (B4B) was developed to change that, and we are looking for more people (i.e. architects, designers of all kinds, neuroscientists, sociologists, EDAC...

Every year AIA holds a national gathering for Chapter and Component leaders – the Grassroots Leadership Conference. This year, four AIA Pittsburgh members and one staff attended the event, held February 18-20 in New Orleans. This year’s agenda emphasized an increased commitment to sustainability, equity and civic leadership. Asserting a leadership role President-Elect, Peter Exley, FAIA acknowledged the implications of being in New Orleans, a city that became synonymous with a new normal of more extreme and more frequent storms driven by climate changes. “This is our leadership moment, and it comes with the most important deadline of our careers.” Exley highlighted four ways architects can lead: Mitigating GHG sources and owning the footprint buildings have in cities/ regions Adapting...

Surrounded by family, friends, and faith, Elmer Burger, AIA passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019. Elmer attended Carnegie Mellon University and received his BFA and BArch from the Rhode Island School of Design. He was employed by several architecture firms in Boston, Washington D.C., and Pittsburgh during his career. He retired as the University Architect/Planner of Point Park University in 2018. Elmer served as President of AIA Pennsylvania in 2008, was previously on the AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors, was an active member of the Master Builders Association, and was often invited to be a guest critique at Carnegie Mellon University. His notable works include the Camp Kon-O-Kwee dining hall, PNC First Side, UPMC Hospital Palermo, the Masonic Temple...

Attendees at the 2019 AIA Pittsburgh Annual Meeting and Holiday Party congratulated the 14 young professionals who have successfully completed the A.R.E. and AXP hours to become registered architects in 2019. At the end of each year, members of the AIA Pittsburgh community gather together to celebrate at the President’s Holiday Party. This year, the party was held at RM Creative. The Annual Meeting portion of the evening kicked off with the election of four AIA members to serve on the AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors – Larry Fabbroni, AIA; Amanda Markovic, AIA; Catherine Adams, AIA, and Nickie Cheung, Assoc. AIA were all elected unanimously.  Joseph Chaffin, AIA  and Dina Snider, AIA had their terms renewed and Lisa Carver, AIA was elected for...

There is growing recognition of the importance of good design in the region and the important effects of the built environment in society.  This was a record-breaking year for Design Pittsburgh and there is only more to come. Design Pittsburgh Numbers: 470 Attendees (most ever!) 93 Project Submissions 23 Awards Given 4,139 People’s Choice Award Votes (512 more than last year and most ever!) Media Coverage: (We’ll post more here as it is published) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Presley’s Place wins People’s Choice Award at architects’ gala” NEXTpittsburgh “Check out the winners of this year’s AIA Design Pittsburgh Awards”

AIA President Bill Bates, FAIA, announces that the organization is launching a comprehensive review of the process used to select its award recipients “to promote the highest professional standards among members and within the profession” at A’19 in Las Vegas. This past June more than 20,000 architects from all over the US and beyond gathered in Las Vegas for A’19, and took a stand for a sustainable future. Architects designing for a better future means taking on the critical challenges facing cities, and our world, today. This was a key message of A’19 as the theme of Blueprint for Better was interwoven throughout the conference. Blueprint for Better, an initiative of AIA National, highlights how architects are working with clients and...

Age 69 (though age never mattered!), Kent Edwards, AIA, of Pittsburgh and Confluence, passed away on July 20, surrounded by his family after a valiant medical struggle.  Kent was born in Sharon, PA, to Reese and Geraldine Edwards, both deceased.   He attended Kent State University, graduating with a double major in Philosophy and Architecture.  After 30 years as an architect in Ohio and Pennsylvania, where he served as President of AIA Pittsburgh, Kent and his wife, Cathy, started a community development consulting firm.  He was also a proud member of Leadership Pittsburgh, Class VII. Kent will be missed terribly by his wife, partner, and great love of 18 years, Cathy McCollom.   He sadly leaves behind his sons Ben (Sarah)...