Citizen Architect Handbook A guide to elected, appointed, and volunteer positions 2nd Edition, 2018 Center for Civic Leadership an AIA member group Contents Contents 3 Introduction 4 Section 01 What is a Citizen Architect? 16 Section 02 Become a Citizen Architect! 26 Section 03 Levels of impact 38 Section 04 Creating a Citizen Architect Committee 44 Section 05 Suggested resources 47 Acknowledgments Introduction 2 “Citizen Architect” has been used to describe architects development initiatives within AIA. Inspired by a who have given back in a civic capacity. The term is broader vision of helping members with resources Introductionmost commonly associated with Founding Father and support, the CCL took on in-depth research on and architect Thomas Jefferson, and Rural Studio this subject matters, and produced two complimentary co-founder Samuel Mockbee, FAIA. Both narratives resources: “Living Your Life as a Leader” and “The tell compelling career stories that illustrate the spirit Citizen Architect Handbook”. Both aim to promote of creative leadership applied through design and greater civic participation by AIA members, and activism, and have inspired generations of architects foster continued dialogue about these growing areas that followed. In essence, Citizen Architects give back of practice. to their communities through civic work in public roles to help educate on the value of architecture. The “Citizen Architect Handbook” offers insight into the important role architects play in advancing public policy The profession of architecture is inherently suited and methods that encourage greater civic engagement toward civic engagement because architects design by architects. Inspired by the work of AIA components both the public and private spaces that citizens live, across the organization, CCL has included examples on work, and play in. With specialized knowledge, skills how to establish a local Citizen Architect committee, and experiences of how the built environment affects and other strategies for engaging at a local, state, and the wider community, architects have the potential to national level. We also discuss pro bono work, and the be an influential voice in government. growing public architecture movement. The American Institute of Architects seeks to serve AIA believes that society and the profession benefit as a resource to Citizen Architects by encouraging from civically engaged architects and emerging greater involvement through AIA Advocacy programs professionals. Components that actively support and by enriching professional leadership resources, members who wish to become civically engaged programming, and networking opportunities. In 2008, ultimately shape their communities and advance best the AIA Board of Directors created the Citizen Architect practices within the industry. The long standing history initiative to assist architects as they continued to of AIA includes continued bipartisan advocacy efforts, engage at the local, state, and federal level through specifically focused on the advancement of policy and their service in elected and appointed governmental regulations impacting the construction industry. positions. At the same time many AIA components had already started developing local Citizen Architect There are many AIA members serving as Citizen programs. Parallel conversations were also stirring Architects nationwide. Component programs within the AIA on the topic of leadership development can support these members and those interested to train architects to be stronger leaders in their firms, in becoming more involved through networking projects, and communities. opportunities and focused programming. Civic engagement is a win-win for the profession The AIA Center for Civic Leadership, a member group and the wider community. We encourage all of AIA, was formed and became an early champion of AIA members to work together to encourage both the Citizen Architect movement and leadership and support our Citizen Architects. 3 What is a Citizen 01Architect? “Architecture profoundly affects people. The work of architecture is essential to human well being, and architects must embrace their ethical obligation to uphold this public trust.” AIA Illinois Public Position Statement 4 In 2015, the AIA Center for Civic Leadership made the recommendation to further expand the definition of 1.1 Citizen Architect to recognize AIA members engaged in a breadth of leadership capacities, including: Citizen Architect Elected: an AIA member that has or is serving a term in public office as an elected official at the local, state, The term “Citizen Architect” is currently being used or national level. as a title informally bestowed on AIA members by Appointed: an AIA member that has or is in an their peers, given with great pride and representative appointed position within a local, state, or national of a call to action for architects to take a greater role board, commission, or committee that supports in their civic responsibility. These Citizen Architects initiatives that enhance the quality of life and future of are influencing public policy and the practice of the communities they serve. architecture across our country. Volunteer: an AIA member that volunteers their time As determined in 2008 by the AIA national board of to enhance the built environment through civic and directors: community engagement. “The Citizen Architect uses his/her insights, talents, training, and experience to contribute meaningfully, beyond self, to the improvement of the community and human condition. The Citizen Architect stays informed on local, state, and federal issues, and makes time 1.2 for service to the community. The Citizen Architect advocates for higher living standards, the creation of a sustainable environment, quality of life, and the greater Purpose good. The Citizen Architect seeks to advocate for the broader purposes of architecture through civic activism, Today more than ever there is a critical need for writing and publishing, by gaining appointment to leadership and creative vision in our communities. boards and commissions, and through elective office at Architects can fill these leadership roles and strengthen all levels of government.” communities through the power of design to improve the quality of our cities, states and nation. In 2013, a survey revealed that Citizen Architects were influencing government at all levels: Because architects are credible messengers and trusted by the public, the skills and qualities of an • 6 mayors architect’s professional training are valuable assets in • 9 state legislators the public arena. Creative problem-solving and team • 24 environmental board members work are only two examples that are deeply engrained in a design education and training. When these skills • 55 city council members are applied in the larger context of civic work, it offers a • 55 zoning board members powerful method for advancing conversations. • 64 community development commissioners Other qualities architects bring to the table include: • 74 building codes board members Inquisitive Trained not to begin with assumptions to • 135 historic preservation commissioners an answer, architects are advanced problem-solvers, using thorough fact finding and research. • 137 architectural design review board members Non-linear Experience through studio culture teaches • 226 planning commissioners an architect to explore multiple paths simultaneously to arrive at the best answers. SECTION 1: WHAT IS A CITIZEN ARCHITECT? 5 Open minded The studio culture also requires architects to involve others in the process of problem-solving as a method of learning from diverse 1.4 experiences to solve the problem together. Collaborative Collaborating with entities that often Recognition have disparate and conflicting points of interest is a skills that architects continue to gain exposure to over the duration of their careers. Architects learn important AIA understands that recognizing professionals who mediation and facilitation skills with groups and serve as civic leaders is essential to encouraging others individuals. to pursue these endeavors. The organization offers recognition to Citizen Architects through a variety Holistic thinkers An architect’s specialization is also of channels, including: national honors and awards, built through the integration and synthesis of many state and local AIA component programs, and a new parts rather than the concentration on one fragment of initiative by the AIA Center for Civic Leadership. an issue. Thomas Jefferson Awards for Public Architecture 1.3 Great public architecture embodies the identity and values of a society. The Thomas Jefferson Awards for Calling all Citizen Public Architecture recognize architects in the public and private sectors, public officials, or other individuals who design distinguished public facilities and/or who Architects advocate for design excellence. A self-taught architect who designed his own and In 2015, AIA launched a campaign entitled “Calling colleagues’ homes, Jefferson wrote extensively on all Citizen Architects” as a call to action for members architecture, developed an architectural style that’s across the country to join the AIA Advocacy Network still influential today, and positioned architecture as an as Citizen Architects. This program is for architects and essential element in establishing the new nation and designers looking to make a difference in their local capital. community, or who are already advancing leadership across the spectrum