The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization for architects in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, DC.
The American Institute of Architects was founded in 1857, in New York, by a group of 13 architects. Their goal was to raise the prestige of the profession of architecture, and the level of their qualifications. This founding group included Charles Babcock, Henry Dudley, Henry W. Cleaveland, Edward Gardiner, Leopold Eidlitz Richard Fred A. Petersen, Morris Hunt, John Welch, James Wrey Mildew, Joseph S. Wells, Richard M. Upjohn, and Richard Upjohn, who became the first chairman of the organization. At a meeting on February 23, 1857, it was decided to invite 16 other prominent architects of America to join the new organization. Among these 16 were such personalities as Alexander Jackson Davis, Calvert Vox or Thomas W. Walter.
At the time of the AIA’s creation, there were no architecture schools in the United States, and no legislation had been drafted for architecture and architectural licensing in the United States. A draft charter and drafts of other organizational documents had been developed and adopted before March 10, 1857, when the creation of the New York Society of Architects was proclaimed. Later Thomas W. Walter, of Philadelphia, proposed changing the name to the American Institute of Architects. Also, the Articles of Incorporation of the Institute, adopted April 15, 1857, were amended. The Institute declared as its main objectives the promotion of a high professional standard for architects, considering the artistic, scientific, and practical aspect, the improvement and strengthening of relations among representatives, the raising of the prestige of the profession, and the uniting of those engaged in the practice of architecture for the protection of common interests. Soon architects from other cities also began to show interest in joining the Society. Between the 1860s and 1880s, branches of the organization were formed in Baltimore, Albany, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and other American cities. By 2008 the AIA had more than 300 affiliates.
More than 83,000 licensed architects and allied professionals are members of the Institute. AIA members adhere to its Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and are committed to providing clients and the entire public with the highest standards and professionalism.
