In late 2015, the American Institute of Architects issued a call to action for the profession. After 14 months of work, the AIA Equity in Architecture Commission released a report with its recommendations for expanding and strengthening the profession’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in every practice.
The Commission and its goals were products of AIA’s 2015 Resolution 15-1: Equity in Architecture. That resolution was born from yet an earlier industry-wide initiative, in 2014. Architectural organizations had come together then to address the concern of architects about a disproportionate mix among the profession’s members.
What emerged from that 2014 effort was a study, Diversity in the Profession of Architecture. It examined the impact of demographics on success in the field. The intent was to create greater urgency surrounding the need for a profession that more accurately reflected the varied faces of our nation.
There has been progress in achieving that goal in past years, but there is still much work to be done. Equity, diversity, and inclusion is a priority of the American Institute of Architects. The Institute believes the need to foster a more inclusive workforce is both a professional and societal imperative.
The AIA Equity in Architecture Commission, a blue-ribbon panel of leading architects, educators, and diversity experts, was formed to meet those challenges. Following is a summary of the five “keystone” areas of focus it identified and within those areas the 11 priority recommendations, or action items, that it selected for implementation over the next three years.
Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA
Chair, Equity in Architecture Commission
View the recommendations>>