Scott Simpson, FAIA

Scott Simpson, FAIA, is president and CEO of The Stubbins Associates, a 100-person design firm with headquarters in Cambridge, Mass.

The good news is that during the past three years, the AIA has faced some very significant challenges and emerged as a much stronger organization. Our finances are now in excellent shape, the Institute is better organized, and we’re poised to advance our agenda at the national and local levels. The timing couldn’t be better. We’re surrounded by evidence that design has become an important cultural force. We see cover stories about design in the national media. The competition to rebuild Ground Zero has captured the country’s imagination. Headlines are full of stories about environmental issues, green design, and livable communities. Architects are uniquely qualified to lead the debate, and the AIA in particular should use its bully pulpit to demonstrate how important design can be in improving the lives of all citizens.

Going forward, the AIA should concentrate on doing a few key things exceedingly well.
First, by embracing diversity and inclusiveness in our profession, we’ll pave the way for the next generation of leaders. Second, by taking full advantage of the PIAs to develop and disseminate new knowledge—our tools and technologies—we’ll be on the leading edge of change in the design and construction industry, increasing our influence. Third, we need a concerted effort to create true partnership among the local, state, and national AIA components; we’re “better together.” Fourth, we need to make our message public where it will have its biggest impact.

Our profession is changing very fast, and in profound ways. It’s time we realized that architects are in the leadership business, and that design is our medium.

National Experience

• AIA New England Regional Director (2000–2003)
  • Architectural Record Advisory Board
  • National Advertising Campaign Committee
  • Finance Committee
• AIA College of Fellows
• Design jury member: AIA Michigan, AIA Minnesota, AIA Connecticut

AIA New England and Boston Society of Architects

• Boston Society of Architects (member since 1979)
  • BSA Nominating Committee (1994–1997)
  • BSA Young Designers Professional Development Institute (2000–2004)
• AIA New England Board of Directors (2000–2003)

Other Leadership

• Board member and senior fellow, Design Futures Council
• Board member: Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities
• Board member: Carlisle Conservation Foundation & Carlisle Land Trust
• Coauthor: How Firms Succeed—A Field Guide to Design Management
• Visiting Lecturer: Harvard University Graduate School of Design (1997, 2003)

Education

• BA, Yale University, 1970
• MArch, Harvard University, 1975.

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