by William E. Holloway, AIA

Summary: When I participated in the first Young Architects Forum (YAF) in 1989, the profession of architecture was different than it is today—but not so much. Sure, IDP and mandatory continuing education for architects were novel concepts and the Vision 2000 report defining a long-range plan for the Institute had just been published. Even then, we were debating title acts versus practice acts, the “appropriate” issues for political advocacy, and the relationship between the academy and real world practice, to name a few. I’ve come to believe that issues like these are timeless in architecture, just the way some concepts are timeless in design.

Yet, in my opinion, the most “timeless” concept discovered during that momentous YAF conclave at the 1989 convention in St. Louis was the recognition that the future of our profession lies in the hands of “Young Architects” and that “AIA policy should involve Young Architects in implementing the AIA’s long-range plan.” In case you didn’t notice, AIA leadership—thanks to the vision of then-president Ben Brewer, FAIA—responded decisively to the YAF call for action by formalizing the existence of the YAF in 1991. All emerging professionals, especially YAF members, need to take advantage of the status given to them within the profession and the AIA to continue the progress made, not only in policy, but in directly influencing the course of the profession through active involvement in the YAF.

Much of the work begun in 1989 is still unfinished and needs the attention of a new generation of Young Architects

What we believe?
Much of the work begun in 1989 is still unfinished and needs the attention of a new generation of Young Architects. Take a look at the visions for the future as articulated by those 36 architects (who, at the time, were licensed 10 years or less).

• We believe in Vision 2000
• Anything is possible
• Our educational system should better prepare us to be architects
• Educator/practitioner partnerships demand our involvement to be successful
• We should be better prepared for the business of architecture
• We believe in value-based compensation for all levels of the profession
• Architecture should be as diverse as the public it serves
• We believe in alternate career paths
• We believe in design excellence
• We believe in mandatory intern development
• We believe in mandatory continuing education with design excellence at its core
• We believe in the leadership potential of Young Architects
• We believe in positive values, being responsible, sustained involvement, and the collective goals of the profession
• Political involvement is vital for survival
• We believe in working with the public
• We believe in fun and fellowship in the AIA
• AIA policy should involve Young Architects in implementing the AIA’s long-range plan
• Young Architects are the key to making these visions a reality.

The participants in that first assembly of Young Architects pledged to themselves and the Institute that they would go back to their regions and actively participate in the leadership of their respective chapters to realize these visions. In most instances, the promises made by that group were kept—and then some. Virtually all of the 36 regional representatives went on to become members of their local component boards. At least two of them went on to represent their regions on the national Board of Directors; one is the editor of the BSA’s acclaimed magazine; and one, after leading her chapter and state organizations, even went on to compete in the latest “Survivor” series in Fiji—pretty cool, huh?

Seize the opportunity and demand to be heard. If past history is any indication, the profession must—and will—listen

Perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy that the AIA regions around the country picked young leaders to populate the first-ever assembly of Young Architects, and those young leaders went on to lead in all levels of the profession—well, duh, that was kind of the intent, wasn’t it?

What’s it to you?
So what does this have to do with you? Take another look at those visions articulated above—cross off the few that are now history and the rest make pretty good sense right now in 2007 don’t you think? At this 15-year milestone, it is imperative that the work begun in 1989 be continued—and the vision be achieved. The YAF is more relevant than ever and it should embrace its roots as a fertile source of AIA leadership whether or not you are on the same political wavelength as your chapter board, the national board, or your firm’s board. The structure exists to define the needs, wants, and opinions of the AIA’s Young Architects. Seize the opportunity and demand to be heard. If past history is any indication, the profession must—and will—listen.