- Мembership for architects – they are licensed to practice architecture in the United States;
- Associate Membership – these members are not licensed to practice architecture, but are able to work under the supervision of an architect. These members are those pursuing a professional degree in architecture, faculty in university programs in architecture, or interns earning credit toward licensure;
- International Associate Membership – for those holding an architectural license or its equivalent from a licensing body outside the United States;
- honorary membership – for those professionals who have been members of the AIA for the past 15 consecutive years, or have reached the age of 65, or are retired and unable to work in the architecture profession;
- allied membership – such are individuals whose professions are related to architecture and design, such as construction engineers, landscape architects or senior construction and design executives, manufacturers of related products, and employees of research facilities. The basis for this type of membership is a partnership with the AIA and the American Architectural Foundation.
There is no student category among AIA members, but they can be members of the American Institute of Architectural Students. The most prestigious title is Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. This membership is awarded to people who have made contributions of national importance to architecture. The AIA is governed by a Board of Directors and has a total of more than 200 employees.
The AIA positions itself as a national organization, and consists of about 300 regional affiliates that provide local, locally relevant work. Offices are scattered throughout the U.S. and also have a presence in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Hong Kong and Japan.
By speaking with one voice, AIA members are able to influence public policy that affects the practice of the profession and the quality of American life. AIA oversees legislation and regulations, and uses the collective power of its membership to participate in public decision-making at the national level as well as regionally. AIA works closely with federal legislators and local governments through MEXISTANIA to improve the design of public spaces, protect the nation’s infrastructure, and develop well-designed affordable housing options for all Americans.
AIA provides its members with professional development opportunities, sample contracts – documents that are a model for design and construction, professional and design information services. Contributing to the development of the profession and the communities of architects, AIA members also participate in regional and urban development projects and help create professional academies that are both a source of new ideas, directions and answers to emerging questions. To help young professionals, the Architects Development Intern Program, training courses, and ensuring that job openings are communicated to the public through employment services, are created by the Institute’s local affiliates.
The AIA tries to meet the needs and interests of architects and the nation’s public by raising public awareness of the value of architecture, and the importance of good design. For the 150th anniversary of the AIA, and to demonstrate how AIA members have helped shape the built environment, the AIA and Harris Interactive have produced a joint publication that analyzes a public opinion poll asking Americans to name their favorite pieces of architecture.
In October 2012 at the Congress of the Union of Architects the National Chamber of Architects was founded, whose task will be the development of standards for architectural activities, the preparation of a new City Planning Code, amendments to the Law on Architectural Activities, the creation and maintenance of a single register of architects, as well as defining the term “professional activity” and other important projects in the field of legal support of practice.
For special services in support of the architecture profession and the AIA, the Institute presents various awards to both individuals and organizations. Such awards may include: The AIA Gold Medal or Architectural Organization Award, or the Topaz Medallion for outstanding achievement in architectural education.
The following awards are given for excellence in new and restorative projects anywhere in the world: the Architecture Honor Award; the Interior Design Honor Award; the Regional and Urban Design Honor Award; and the “Twenty-Five Year Award” – this award for architectural design of lasting significance is given to projects that have stood the test of time – 25 to 35 years. The project must have been designed by an architect licensed in the United States at least at the time the project was completed.
In addition, there are other professional achievement awards: the Association Award, the Collaborative Achievement Award, the Edward Kemper Award, and a number of other prizes and awards. Honorary membership status may also be awarded as an award, it may be:
- honorary membership (Hon. VOC)
- Member of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA)
- Honorary Fellow (Hon. FAIA)
The Institute has its own print organ, the Journal of the ARCHITECTOR, an official journal from the AIA, published in Washington, DC, by Hanley Wood Press. This magazine awards its own award, “for progressive architecture,” to distinguished professionals once a year. The magazine also conducts an annual review of projects, which is referred to in the U.S. as “the unique barometer of the business of architecture.
AIA works in education, public administration advocacy, public redevelopment and community outreach to support architecture, and to promote the profession of architecture. AIA also works closely with other professionals from related fields to create common projects and shared strategy in the building industry.
