As you’ve probably noticed, the AIA has been going through some reflection and reorganization at the national level. Paul W. Welch, Jr., AIACC’s Executive Vice President, spent the last year in DC as the Interim EVP of National, working to realign the Institute to respond better to member needs and desires. (Thanks, Paul!) Robert Ivy, FAIA, succeeds him as the permanent EVP, a choice I personally applaud, and not just because we’re fellow Tulane alumni (GO GREEN WAVE!). Bob, as those who have enjoyed his m.c.’ing at the Monterey Design Conference know, is a thoughtful person—in both senses of “thoughtful”—an inimitable communicator, and an architect, to boot. He also understands that architecture is fundamentally about hospitality, a quality that is strained at 1735 New York Avenue, NW (the AIA headquarters), at least in part on account of the architecture itself. So he has his work cut out for him, and we should all cheer him along. (A HELLUVA HULLABALLOO, HEY!)
You may also have noticed the oddly parallel covers of the January numbers of Architectural Record (the former AIA-affiliated journal, as well as the former home of Bob Ivy) and ARCHITECT (the new AIA-affiliated journal). If we had been closer to releasing an issue of arcCA at the time, I would have favored a cover something like the one shown here. Because, really, what is up? Ruthless industrial espionage or just something in the air?
There have certainly been some financial concerns in the air (in response to which, the second quarter issue of arcCA will be on “The Business of Architecture”), and our colleagues at McGraw-Hill, who have co-published and often generously subsidized this magazine for the last decade, have been feeling the pinch. (As have most of our readers.) As a consequence, McGraw-Hill plans to withdraw from its co-publisher role by the end of this year—though it will continue to maintain a mutually supportive relationship with AIACC.
Coincidentally and fortunately, through the efforts of AIACC’s immediate past Vice President for Communications, Michael F. Malinowski, AIA, and the continuing guidance of the new VP for Communications, Evelyn Lee, AIA, the Council has a new, agile website. We are looking forward eagerly to translating arcCA into a primarily on-line journal. Many of you guessed as much when you received the online survey (the results of which are summarized on pages 46-48). The pace and nature of the transformation remain fluid, but I predict that we will cease quarterly print publication by the end of 2011—and, given that we’re a bit behind schedule, probably only print three issues this year. We’ll begin the online version within the same time period, and it will decidedly not be simply a flip-the-page PDF of the print format. Rather, we will carpe the rich possibilities of digital linkages, to connect to related resources of value to our readers and to expand the reach of the AIACC’s voice. We will take advantage of the opportunity—for which we have long yearned—to reach non-architects, offering ways for the public to better understand architecture, thereby paving the way for a broader and deeper appreciation of what you have to offer.
At the same time, we are conscious that many AIACC members cherish the print publication (as do I). We don’t intend for it to go away altogether, and our current plan for 2012 and beyond is to publish an end-of-the-year “Best of arcCA/Design Awards” issue. Please stay tuned.
The reflections and changes at AIA National and in arcCA parallel similar efforts at AIACC, presenting an occasion for us to explore the value of the AIA to us, its members. That is the topic of this issue. It is also the reason the issue is a bit late reaching you, as self-reflection so often moves haltingly. My own view is that the recent economic “catastro-tunity,” to borrow a coinage from The Daily Show, is proving invigorating for the AIA at every level. I hope you find it so, as well.
Originally published 1st quarter 2011, in arcCA 11.1, “Valuing the AIA.”
