Approximately 850 people participated in FORUM 2007, the annual convention of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). FORUM 2007: Architecture in Motion was hosted by the AIAS Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center on December 29, 2007-January 1, 2008. Joseph Lawton, Assoc. AIA, a graduate of UWM and an intern with Engberg Anderson, Inc., served as the chair of the convention.
FORUM is the global gathering of architecture and design students. Each year, students, architects, educators and community leaders from around North America--and beyond--assemble for the convention that assists students with advancing their education and careers. Also participating this year was a delegation of students from Australia, representing that country's architecture student association. The annual event offers students the opportunity to learn about issues facing both architectural education and the profession, to meet other students and professionals with common interests, and to interact with today's leading architects and thought provocateurs.
AIAS President Andrew Caruso, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, said, "FORUM 2007 was an exciting event. We are pleased to be able to provide this annual event, for more than fifty years, that brings together students to explore architecture, improve our communities and assist with their career goals."
This year's theme, "Architecture in Motion," encouraged the attendees to explore the state of their profession and architectural education, where they are heading, and how students can define that path and claim their future in architecture. Programs also reviewed new building materials, technologies, and design concepts. Students participated in more than twenty educational programs, multiple hands-on workshops, job and school fair, thirty tours of the host city and region and attended several keynote presentations. These programs were facilitated by numerous experts including, architects representing local and nationally-known firms, graduate students, city planners, educators, historians and community leaders. The participants not only learned about the regional vernacular but also were exposed to designs by internationally-celebrated architects and others.
Each day was divided into four sub topics: 1. Past and Present 2. Your Toolbox 3. Experience Architecture, and 4. Fast Forward. The four days of the conference offered seminars, tours, workshops, and keynote presentations geared towards these themes and the overall theme.
The keynote sessions were kicked off on the first night with Ed Mazria, AIA, an internationally recognized architect and founder and leader of Architecture 2030. Mr. Mazria inspired the students to take actions to affect global climate change, to adopt the principals of the "2030 Challenge" into their design work and to encourage the other students on their campus to get involved.
On the second night, Henry "Hank" Louis, AIA, spoke to the students about his unique design-build program in Utah. Inspired by the work of the Rural Studio, this innovative program provides housing for Native Americans that helps to meet the demand for reservation housing and also is designed in a culturally-sensitive way. More information about his program can be found at designbuildbluff.org.
Sharon Sutton, PhD, FAIA, shared with the attendees on the third night the on the role of architects throughout modern history and how that changed during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Dr. Sutton was the first African-American woman to receive full professorship in an U.S. School of Architecture. She highlighted the uprising of the architecture students and others at Columbia University in 1968, which perceived architecture as elite and not serving the common good. Dr. Sutton called for the students to find their voice and make the necessary changes in their schools of architecture to ensure they are meeting society's greater needs.
Tony Vanky, Assoc. AIA, the AIAS Vice President stated, "Dr. Sutton was inspiring. It is important for today's students and young architects to understand our legacy. We now better understand how architecture plays an important role in society and how we as individuals can make a difference."
FORUM concluded with a presentation by one of the few professionally trained futurist, David Zach. A Milwaukee resident, Mr. Zach speaks to annually to thousands of people around the world and helps them understand their future potential. His presentation wrapped up the convention by putting into perspective what the attendees had learned over the last four days and how to turn that information into action that will impact their lives and others.
On December 30, a record-breaking 45 exhibitors participated in the annual College + Career Expo. Exhibitors at this event include graduate schools of architecture, architecture firms, product and software manufacturers and alternative educational programs. Convention attendees were able to meet face-to-face with school and company representatives to learn about continuing their education, job and internship opportunities and cutting-edge software and construction products.
AIAS Executive Director, Michael Geary, CAE, shared, "It was exciting to see so many schools, architecture firms and product manufacturers interested in meeting with students at our convention. It is understandably a challenging time to meet over the New Year's Eve holiday but their participation shows the importance of connecting to students, the future of the architecture profession. Furthermore, the students sincerely appreciate the opportunity to learn first-hand about those things that will impact their careers."
As the convention occurred during the New Year's Eve holiday, a traditional Beax Arts Ball was hosted on December 31. More than 800 people celebrated New Year's Eve in style in the Milwaukee Art Museum's Quadracci Pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava. Attendees wore brightly-colored clothing (to contrast the stark white walls and structural elements of the building) and danced until 1:00 a.m.
The AIAS Board of Directors and the Council of Presidents met several times to discuss and take action on policy and other matters of the association. Among its many actions, the Board formally endorsed a proposal to form a National Academy on Environmental Design, met with the Accreditation Review Conference Task Force and spent almost half of its time on strategic planning for the organization.
The most significant action of the Council of Presidents was the election of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors. The new board will include:
President
JW Blanchard
Spring 2008 graduate of the Southern Polytechnic State University
Vice President
Deana Moore
Spring 2008 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Director, Midwest Quad
Ashley Wilson
Ball State University
Director, Northeast Quad
Anna McCorvey
Howard University
Director, South Quad
Je'Nen Chastain
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Director, West Quad
Amy Perenchio
Washington State University
Also, the AIAS chapter at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis was selected as the host of FORUM 2009.
As the attendees departed Milwaukee, most commented that FORUM was an incredible experience for them. Many of the repeat participants felt that it was the best FORUM they had attended. With those remarks and others the convention was deemed a success. This was due in large part by the hard work of the convention chair, Joseph Lawton, his committee and the host chapter. The AIAS thanks them as well as the attendees for their participation, the speakers for volunteering their time, the hosts of tour venues and the numerous sponsors for their support.
FORUM 2008 will be held on December 29, 2008-January 1, 2009 and hosted by the AIAS chapter at the University of Colorado at Denver.