Membership

Freedom by Design is the AIAS community service program that uses the talents of architecture students to radically impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and construction solutions. FBD provides real-world experience through working with clients, learning from local licensed architects and contractors, and experiencing the practical impacts of architecture and design. Learn More.

CRIT is the journal of the AIAS and the premier publication of student’s in architecture, design, and associated fields. As an AIAS member, you will receive a complimentary subscription to CRIT.

As an AIAS member, you may also apply to become a member of the CRIT Editorial team. Contributing to CRIT is an opportunity to develop research and writing skills. Learn More.

Every year, the AIAS collects in one city over the winter holiday to network, hear from our sponsors, learn from other leaders, discuss issues relevant to architecture and design education, and conduct official AIAS business. All members are encouraged to attend and the location changes on a yearly basis. In addition to the energy of being surrounded by others with the same interests, the new Board of Directors is elected from a pool of incredibly inspiring candidates as they have speeches, debates and networking opportunities with AIAS members! Learn More.

For more than 30 years the AIAS has been preparing future leaders in architecture through our AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference.

Each year the conference brings together chapter leaders, AIAS Freedom By Design program leaders, and other emerging professionals seeking insight and preparation on how to make the most of their year ahead. Grassroots is usually held in the Washington, DC area in July. Learn More.

Each year, regional conferences take place annually in the spring in the South and West Quads and in the fall the Northeast and Midwest Quads!

These gatherings, known as Quad Conferences, are hosted by local chapters who have been selected to organize the event by their Quad. Themes vary based on the city, local culture, and architectural topic of choice.

Quad Conferences are a terrific way to meet other students in your region,  learn about architecture outside of the classrooms and have a lot of fun. Learn More. 

Local Chapter Events are the heart of our organization! Each chapter has a different array of local events that are reflective of a chapter’s individual and unique culture.

For more information, contact your local AIAS Chapter President. You can find the contact information on our interactive Chapters Page.

The AIAS affords its members many opportunities to become involved as a leader. From leading your local AIAS Chapter to joining the AIAS Board of Directors, the AIAS has countless of student-run leadership positions.

For more information regarding leadership positions, contact your local AIAS Chapter President or mailbox@aias.org.

AIAS members can automatically roll over to AIA Associate membership for free for 18 months upon graduation.

AIA provides a complimentary digital edition of ARCHITECT magazine to all AIAS members, as well as plenty of opportunities for engagement at AIAS conferences, local AIA chapters, and online.

AIA is also an active partner in the AIAS’ research grant program, CRIT Scholar.

NCARB’s Student Architect Licensing Advisor Program, facilitated by the AIAS, gives students a voice in the licensure process and a local licensure advisor on campus.

Through a partnership with NCARB, the AIAS is able to distribute grants to Freedom by Design projects across the country. Grassroots for training. Freedom by Design participants also have the opportunity to receive NCARB AXP hours for their effort in addition to mentorship from local architects. Learn More.

The AIAS is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and the profession. Our career programming is our effort to start to understand where the gap is and how to approach training students to be better off in their new work environments. Learn More.

The AIAS works to provide a curated list of  scholarships, grants and awards available to architecture students! Learn More. 

Each year the AIAS honors individuals and groups for their exemplary work in areas such as leadership, collaboration, scholarship, and service. The AIAS Honor Awards were developed to publicly recognize outstanding achievements by students, educators, and practitioners who have exhibited an exemplary commitment to the education and development of architecture students. Learn More.

CRIT Scholar is a research-based fellowship program that will be funded by the AIA in partnership with several prominent architecture firms. The program aims to support student research and will serve as an exclusive opportunity for students to receive further guidance in their own research.

The long-term objective is to encourage students to be actively involved in furthering architectural innovation in support of the design profession through mentored research projects embedded in academia and practice. Learn More. 

The fall In Studio Render/Sketch competition allows AIAS members to share their sketches and renderings with a broader audience outside of their studio for the opportunity to win cash prizes. Learn More. 

The winter In Studio Portfolio competition gives members the opportunity showcase their professional portfolios and to provide inspiration for those looking to enhance their own portfolios.

This competition is open to all years and skill sets – but focuses on students who are ready to apply for graduate school or who are looking for a summer internship or full-time position. Learn More. 

The spring In Studio Model competition allows AIAS members to share their Models with a broader audience outside of their studio for the opportunity to win cash prizes. Learn More. 

The summer In Studio Photo competition allows AIAS members to share their photography with the broader AIAS community for the opportunity to win cash prizes. Learn More. 

The AIAS represents the collective voice of architecture students across the U.S., and across the world through our international chapters and partnerships with comparable student associations in Europe, India, Australia, Africa, and South and Central America. AIAS members have expressed a desire to use their voice to make a difference, and to be more relevant. In response, the AIAS Board of Directors has initiated a standing Advocacy Task Force to examine and address contemporary issues facing students as they transition into practice. Learn More.

Our InStudio blog highlights AIAS chapters from across the globe and provides an inside look into what university studio culture is really like and how they practice. Learn More.