The AIA Addresses the Diversity Business Case and Return on Investment During Its Second Diversity Plenary
The AIA held its second annual Diversity Plenary on Tuesday, April 28, in San Francisco. “Value: The Difference—a Toolkit for Firms,” brought together AIA Board members, collateral organizations, related organizations, firm representatives, interns, and students to identify tools, resources, and approaches to increase diversity and inclusion within architecture firms.

When Is a Threat an Opportunity?
Due to reduced workload, architecture firms lost 18,400 positions between August 2008 and January 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This amounts to 8.2 percent of payrolls and, as we all know, this trend has continued into 2009. Many workers are faced with the question: “Will I be the next to be let go?” We confront unexpected changes and sometimes significant disruptions throughout our lives, and we can respond to these as either a threat or an opportunity. Which is the best response? The answer may be surprising.

Convention 2009 Wrap-Up: Live-Blogging the Sessions
After dashing through the halls of the Moscone Center in San Francisco for three days with a laptop under my arm to blog through convention sessions, I was struck by the alternating sense of uncertainty and opportunity I got from audience and AIA members. I asked dozens of people what they wanted to learn and what they did learn. Most said they just wanted to get a handle on what’s coming next. Few had any preconceived notion of what the future might hold and, as often as not, they showed up at the convention simply wanting to learn what things they didn’t know. As such, this compilation of blog entries are snapshots of the contemporary architect’s challenges and opportunities. You might find your practice conundrums, your firm, or even yourself in them.