The value of global engagement

The AIA has been “international” since its inception. Some of our founders—Richard Upjohn, Calvert Vaux and Leopold Eidlitz, to name just three—were born abroad and drew upon their formative experiences outside of the US to establish the AIA.

Richard Morris Hunt shaped his ideas during ten years as an adolescent in Europe, drawing particularly upon his studies in Paris. He was among the first in the US to insist upon recognizing architects as bona fide professionals, deserving of fees commensurate with our knowledge and skill.

Global engagement results in direct benefits to all AIA members:

• Collaboration on new work comes from global professional networks.
• Outreach to distant members attracts new members and retains existing ones.
• Professional satisfaction and growth stem from exposure to other cultures.
• Respect and recognition abroad give AIA members a competitive edge.

Global involvements are important to the Institute:

• The AIA has thousands of members positioned in key foreign markets.
• Offshore Chapters have among the best growth and retention rates within the Institute.
• Honorary Fellows are among the world’s most respected architects, enhancing our stature.
• We can learn much from our overseas counterparts and their organizations.