Stephen Swicegood, FAIA

What’s in a name?
I am a principal of an Atlanta-based interior architecture firm called idea|span, and our name reveals how I think about the practice of architecture: “idea” represents the creative aspect of what we do, and “span” suggests the link to practicality that must be forged if creativity is to have a lasting impact. I want to strengthen that linkage for the AIA by tackling the tough work needed to accomplish our great ideas.

Preserving the core
Our top priority should be to preserve our newfound financial strength. As I begin my third year on the Finance Committee, I’m proud to have played a part in getting the AIA back on solid financial ground. However, we need to be mindful that making the national component financially stronger is not the primary goal of the members and firms who send in more than $13 million in national dues every year. We need to start saying yes to the legitimate needs of our members.

Stimulating progress
To progress, we need to improve relationships among the 300-plus components of the AIA. Last year, I became co-chair of the Component Partnerships Committee, charged with “improving collaboration among AIA components to enhance their ability to fulfill the mission of the Institute.” We discovered an unintended consequence of our recent financial straits: the erosion of working relationships between local components and the national component. When you’re in crisis mode, it’s understandable that tending relationships takes a back seat to survival. But now it’s time for us to work harder on working together.

Building community
In a volunteer organization, trust is the essential glue that holds us together. With the support and good will of both members and staff, we’re beginning to rebuild that trust, but it’s going to take time. I’m asking you to support my candidacy for Vice President of the American Institute of Architects so I can continue working to preserve what we’ve gained and to progress toward what we want to become.

The following are brief highlights of my recent service to our profession.

National Component

• Board of Directors, 2002–2004:
  • Finance & Audit Committee, 2002–2004
  • Chair, Component Partnerships Committee, 2003–2004
  • Interior Designer Licensing Task Force, 2003

South Atlantic Region

• Chair of 2003 SAR Regional Convention, including AIA Georgia, AIA North Carolina, AIA South Carolina, and the Practice Management Knowledge Community

AIA Georgia

• President, 2000
• Treasurer, 1997 and 1998

AIA Atlanta

• President, 1996

Professional credentials

• NCARB, 1996
• Registered architect in seven states.

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