American Center for Architecture Opens, Kicks Off Architecture Week

Summary: In the first public event at the AIA national component to kick off Architecture Week, AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA; Executive Vice President/CEO Chris McEntee; and American Architectural Foundation President Ronald Bogle, Hon. AIA, dedicated the American Center for Architecture campus April 10 in Washington, D.C., then invited attendees into the AIA headquarters building for the opening of the America’s Favorite Architecture exhibition.

Architecture Week, called for by Congress and proclaimed by President Bush, is in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the AIA. With the theme of Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future, AIA150 is also the focus of a series of local events in towns and cities across the nation highlighting the contributions made by architects and firms in the communities they serve.

Nationwide initiative
AIA150 activities also include the Blueprint for America, a nationwide initiative empowering citizens to share in creating a vision for their communities’ design priorities. For 150 years, architects have used the design process to help citizens find their voices and realize a vision for beautiful, safe, and livable communities. By sharing their knowledge and experience, our nation’s architects will offer American communities the opportunity to celebrate their heritage while addressing emerging architectural challenges and trends.

The event Tuesday evening began with a ribbon-cutting opening the American Center for Architecture, which comprises The Octagon House, the nation’s oldest museum dedicated to architecture, and the AIA headquarters building, which also houses the American Institute of Architecture Students, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, and the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Legacy of Collaboration
“We’re acknowledging the legacy of collaboration among those organizations housed here that serve America’s architects,” McEntee said—“AIAS, ACSA, NAAB, the American Architectural Foundation, and the profession’s most senior partner, the AIA.”

“‘Collaboration’ is the theme on this evening’s celebration. It’s the renewable energy of creativity and a commitment unique to this site,” Stewart said. He also read the letter of congratulations from President Bush.

Bogle, too, spoke warmly of the long collaborative relationship among the collateral architectural organizations, which also includes the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. The Octagon House is more than 200 years old and yet it is fitting that it be part of the new symbol of alliance for the future, the American Center for Architecture, he said.