The AIA President's regular monthly column was due right after the AIA national convention ended. But because John Anderson, FAIA, had just hosted a four-day celebration in his hometown for more than 16,000 of his closest friends and colleagues, we offered to write it for him. Doing so affords us the opportunity to get the word out on just how much John's guiding spirit illuminated what turned out to be a great convention.

When AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, opened the convention at Thursday's general theme session, he remarked on John's "mile-high enthusiasm." That infectious spirit carried through the exciting presentations of theme speakers Susan Stamberg, Daniel Libeskind, and Santiago Calatrava; an insightful annual business meeting; the enormous products and services exposition; and 150 seminars on just about every topic related to architecture.

"I couldn't be happier or prouder than I am today," John told us at that first session. He said it was the first time in recent memory a president hosted the national convention in his hometown, and that he was particularly thrilled by the opportunity to do so. In his typically warm fashion, he also offered his appreciation to those who helped build the Denver convention, including the convention committees, national and local; the AIA staffs, national and local; and, of course, the people of Denver.

The power of community
It is no accident that John and Denver found each other 50 years ago when he moved to the mountains from back East. He was just finishing his course work, when an especially admired professor recommended putting down roots out West where there would be unlimited opportunities for an ambitious young architect.

In the years since he has made Denver home, the city has grown from a rough-around-the-edges mining town into the vibrant urban center it is today. And John has been there, helping his adopted home grow not simply in size, but, more importantly, in quality of life. His example shows that it takes inspired architects to partner with their communities to make inspired community architecture.

"What is architecture, if it's not about creating place?" John asked the audience as he introduced the "Environment and Place" theme session. He acknowledged that architects are the thinkers and dreamers who create the vision of place, but "the real genius is to make the dreams flesh and blood." As an example of just such a genius, a man "who delivers the goods," John introduced convention attendees to Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and presented his hometown mayor with a presidential citation.

The mayor in turn thanked the AIA for choosing Denver as the site of our convention and said he was proud to share the city with those who help to shape it. He spoke about how Denver has transformed its downtown during his 10 years in office, and how one of the best—and first—tasks he assigned himself upon taking office was to "hire an architect." He was referring to Director of the Denver Department of Community Development Jennifer Moulton, FAIA, who is hard at work sustaining and building on those special traits that make Denver a livable community.

Denver is pursuing its dreams and aspirations through its architecture—a phenomenon most evident in the dynamic and ongoing transformation of its Lower Downtown ("LoDo") business and entertainment district. Proud of its design heritage, Denver is not afraid of the new. Michael Graves' Denver Central Library and Daniel Libeskind's design for Denver's Nexus Building, the new wing of the Denver Art Museum, are the talk of the town, which by the way, was festooned with "Welcome to the American Institute of Architects" signs.

Intersection of personal and professional joy
It's no wonder that John Anderson is so proud of the Mile-High City. He spoke passionately about the intersection of his personal and professional joy in helping Denver grow up over the last half-century. He takes particular pride in how the city has diversified itself—in its population, its job base, and even its architecture. "Denver is a city that works . . . it wears a coat of many colors and it wears it well," John explained.

John went on to make the point that the same respect for and celebration of community that drives Denver enlightens the profession and in fact drives the AIA.

"Thank you, Denver! You're looking great!" John exclaimed when the convention began. In turn, we say, "Thank you, John Anderson! You're pretty great yourself."

—The editors

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