Get Involved PDF Print E-mail
Below is a current list of active committees of the Columbus Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Anyone interested in participating in a committee or who would like additional information should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , at 469-1973.  


KNOWLEDGE COMMITTEES

Committee on the Environment (COTE)
The objective of the Committee on the Environment is to promote a sustainable environment by creating an educational resource for members of AIA Columbus and the public; advocacy groups as more specific examples of public and architect groups to educate about sustainable design.

Communities by Design

The mission of the Livable Communities Committee is to have a positive and real effect on the quality of our communities and of our lives in Columbus and Central Ohio. As architects, we aim to use our knowledge and vision to preserve and improve the vitality of our communities.  

Small Project Practitioners’ Forum

The objective of the Small Project Practitioner’s Forum is to provide an opportunity and alternative resources for sole practitioners and small firm principals to discuss relative issues in the practice of architecture via roundtable discussions and presentations by invited guests; to promote quality architecture and the benefits of quality architecture on small and non-traditional projects to the general public.

Healthcare

The Chapter’s newest Knowledge Committee examines issues of importance to area architects and firms that have an interest in the design of healthcare facilities and healthcare construction.

Continuing Education

The objective of the Continuing Education Committee is to provide educational/professional development opportunities to Chapter members through seminars, lectures and workshops. Six to eight 2-hour seminars are held annually before the monthly chapter meetings. Additionally, the committee, often in conjunction with related professional associations (CSI, BX, etc.), coordinates other full and partial-day seminars. By attending these seminars, Chapter members may earn sufficient Learning Units (LU’s) toward satisfying the requirements of AIA/CES and various state boards of Architecture. Committee member responsibilities include planning and executing the seminars and events.


EDUCATION COMMITTEES

Mentor

The objective of the OSU Mentor/AIAS Committee is to enhance the relationship between the OSU Knowlton School of Architecture Student Chapter and AIA Columbus. Participants include student chapter members and registered architects interested in mentoring relationships. The purpose is to match students and practitioners in one-to-one or small group relationships.  Activities include an annual kick-off event, ongoing mentor/student opportunities, and an annual evaluation event. The committee works with Student Chapter(s) to coordinate these annual events. The Committee also coordinates with the IDP Committee.


ADVOCACY

Architectural Awareness  

The objective of the Architectural Awareness Committee is to foster an understanding in the general public of what AIA Architects do and how they can add value to a project by collaborating with associated organizations to address common issues and supporting public outreach by all AIA Architects. Additionally, this committee works to promote positive media exposure for the Chapter and the profession of architecture.

Government Awareness

The objective of the Political Awareness Committee is to identify and monitor issues relevant to the built environment and establish relationships with business, city and industry leaders. The PAC committee should identify and ally with political leaders who are sympathetic to the Architect’s role in the built environment. The committee also raises money for various political entities. The committee maintains a device for contacting chapter members and suggests a plan of action as the need arises during the political process.

Committee on Design

The objective of the Honor Awards Event is to encourage excellence in architecture and reward quality design and professionalism. Through this juried competition, the Chapter seeks to honor the architect, client, consultants (structural, mechanical, electrical and landscape) and the general contractor for works of distinction and bring to public attention outstanding examples of architecture. Over the past 32 years, more than 170 projects have received AIA Columbus awards for outstanding architectural design including some of Columbus’ most famous and well-known buildings. The Honor Awards celebrate the accomplishments of central Ohio architects and their award-winning projects that shape our community and neighborhoods. These projects represent efforts of both public institutions and private businesses.

COMMUNITY

Architecture Columbus

Architecture Columbus, the AIA Columbus annual signature series of events that celebrate outstanding architecture and design and its role in enhancing a community’s quality of life, includes three separate programs held over two days. The role of the architect is to promote a better built environment. Through Architecture Columbus, we endeavor to:
Educate the Community
Congratulate the Profession
Celebrate Great Design


In Design is an in-depth look at an issue of importance to design and the industry and is designed to bring together allied professionals in the building industry to share viewpoints and to provide an intellectually stimulating discussion on a relevant topic.
                    
The objective of the Architecture Columbus Gala, in conjunction with the entire series of Architecture Columbus events, is to encourage interaction and fellowship among architects, spouses, clients, consultants, and government officials, members of the public and general contractors in a formal, architecturally and visually stimulating environment. This end-of-the-year celebration of architecture and design in Columbus is the forum for interaction with the public, media and related professions.

Golf Outing

The objective of the Golf Outing Committee is to promote interaction between the architectural profession, allied professions, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers. Money raised through sponsorship of the AIA Columbus Golf Outing support the AIA Columbus Associateship Scholarship for a graduate student at The Knowlton School of Architecture.

Project Architecture

The mission of the Project Architecture Committee is to partner with educators to enhance education of K-8 students by:
creating awareness of the built environment
embracing architecture and the natural environment
making the classroom knowledge come alive through architecture
forming an appreciation of architecture within students and an understanding of its importance to our culture/community.

ADA Makeover

Working with Creative Housing, AIA Columbus has held this event the past three years and involved architect donating their time and energy in a variety of home remodeling projects to assist those with accessibility needs.

High School Design

The objective of the High School Design Committee is to increase professional outreach to our community and expose high school students to the field of architecture and design. The Committee plans and administers an annual seminar that is open to all high school students in the greater Columbus area. The seminar presents a realistic local design problem to the students and helps them to develop basic planning, sketching, drafting, modeling and presentation skills. In addition, the seminar provides an opportunity for students to learn about architecture as a major and to interact with professionals.


Intern Development Program (IDP)        

The objective of the Intern Development Program Committee is to contribute to the development of interns through the IDP. The committee locates interns, recent graduates and architectural firms and distributes information to them to increase the basic understanding of IDP and encourages participation in the program, while strengthening the presence of AIA.


MEMBERSHIP

Emerging Professionals- Associate Committee:

The objective of the Associate Committee is to represent young architects by encouraging their active participation in our communities and our profession, by supporting a variety of relevant programs and by maintaining a nationwide interdependent network of young architects.  

Fellows

The Committee of Fellows works actively to advance the profession of architecture and to increase the recognition of Central Ohio as a center of architecture and design. As part of its work, the Committee mentors Chapter members and nominates candidates for advancement to Fellow (FAIA), assisting their efforts by structuring an annual seminar about the process and submission requirements. Members of the Committee counsel candidates in the preparation of portfolios.