September 12

Dear AIA Family,

This message is to let everyone know that the national component staff is back at work today, a little shaken, but ready to press on. After hearing the explosion, seeing black smoke rising from the Pentagon, and hearing the White House had been evacuated, we immediately notified our staff and building tenants to prepare to evacuate this building. All staff made it safely home yesterday but please keep this group of "family members" in your thoughts and prayers as a few of this group were traveling overseas or domestically on AIA or personal business and we are not sure when they will be able to return. A few of our staff members have shared that one or more of their close friends died in the terrorists' attacks or are missing. They will need our understanding, sharing, and compassion in the days ahead.

We have contacted AIA component leadership in Washington, DC, New York City and State, and Northern Virginia to express our concern, condolences, and desire to help in any way possible. A significant number of architects worked in or near the World Trade Center; we will share reports with you as they are received. Architecture Week in DC, scheduled for this week, has been at least partially postponed. The Washington DC Chapter will announce alternate plans in the near future with the possibility of the AIA Building serving as an alternate site for their awards program. AIA New York State has postponed its annual convention scheduled for September 13-16 in Buffalo. In the meantime, AIA architects around the country are becoming involved in disaster response team activities.

This morning we invited the national component staff to gather for an opportunity to share with each other regarding yesterday's tragic events and to offer mutual support for moving through the difficult days ahead. It was also an opportunity to encourage the staff about the importance of their work in support of our members and our profession. It is obvious that the terrorists who planned yesterday's attacks were intent on demoralizing the American people by attempting to destroy the architectural icons that represent our principles, ideology, and successes.

I recounted that when the British destroyed the White House and the U.S. Capitol in 1814, their actions were similarly motivated. And they were almost successful, for many residents in this area suggested that the capital city be relocated to Philadelphia or to New York because Washington had not developed into much of a city anyway. Prudent judgment was expressed by those who countered by explaining that the White House and the Capitol building were the very (architectural) icons, the physical manifestation, of our way of life and governance. To vacate this city without rebuilding those symbolic structures, they argued, would constitute an admission of the failure of our democracy. Our nation's leaders wisely decided then to rebuild these symbols of democracy where they originally stood, proclaiming to the world that this nation cannot be brought down through acts of destruction or terrorism.

Understanding architecture's role to express in this manner the culture and heritage of a nation should fill each architect with great pride and the inspiration to be their very best. I sincerely believe that the teams that work here on behalf of America's architects gain similar inspiration from their part in helping architects to be responsible in this energizing role.

We sincerely thank you for your phone calls, emails, and prayers. They are greatly appreciated by everyone.

Norman

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.