Get Involved with AIA Cincinnati

AIA Cincinnati invites members, architects, and those interested in architecture to get involved with one of our committees, knowledge communities, program committees or special events committees. You do NOT have to be an AIA member to participate in one of these activities. If you would like to get involved, join us for a meeting or program, share an idea for a new committee or program, or have questions, please contact us.

Member Affinity Groups

AIA Cincinnati member affinity groups meet regularly and work on specific chapter initiatives. You do NOT have to be an AIA member to participate. If you would like to get involved, join us for a meeting or program, or have questions, please contact us.

  • Chair: Chris Patek, AIA, MSA Design
    Co-Chair: Douglas J. Gallow, Jr., FAIA, Lifespan Design Studio

    The Local Advocacy Working Group works to strengthen the position of AIA Architects in the building industry by identifying and promoting the issues, policies, and positions important to the profession, the business, and the practice of architecture. The working group meets virtually on the second Thursday of each month at 8:30am and welcomes new participants - you can sign up for the working group on the calendar.

  • Chair: Lucas De Brito, AIA, Burgess & Niple
    Co-Chair: Shelby Leshnak, Assoc. AIA, ESM | RWA Architects

    Our Early Professionals group includes recent graduates, professionals working toward licensure, and recently licensed architects. The working group organizes ARE study sessions, EP socials, tours, and other programs. They meet virtually on the second Wednesday of each month at 11am and welcomes new participants - you can sign up for the working group or EP programs on the calendar.

  • Co-Chairs: Betsey Clark, Assoc. AIA, MSA Design and Wendy Klepcyk, AIA, Envisage Architecture

    WiA strives to build connection and collegiality among women working in the field of architecture. The planning team meets virtually on the fourth Monday of the month. If you’d like to get involved with the planning team, please contact julie [at] aiacincinnati.org to be connected with organizers.

Knowledge Communities

Our knowledge communities are part of AIA’s national network of architecture professionals. At the local level, they meet regularly to hold continuing education programs, community conversations, and panel discussions on targeted issues. You do NOT have to be an AIA member to participate. If you would like to get involved, join us for a meeting or program, or have questions, please contact us.

  • Leadership Team: Andrew Glass, AIA, drawing dept, Jen Karbula, AIA, Woolpert, and Ally Balmer, MA Design

    A group of AIA Cincinnati members and others are re-starting the Committee on the Environment (COTE). If you’re interested in participating, attend to discuss your COTE interests and plans. COTE meets the first Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm - check the calendar for location.

  • Chair: Jonathan Schaefer, AIA, drawing dept
    Co-Chair: Jordyn Mardis, Assoc. AIA, ESM | RWA Architects

    Hosts monthly, in-person, lunch and learn programs, typically on the second Tuesday from noon-1pm. Meeting locations and presenters are outlined on the calendar. People engaged in, or who are interested in learning more about, custom residential practice are invited to participate in workshops and programs to enhance their skills and knowledge as well as help raise public awareness of local architects in residential design. Planning team meets virtually on the fourth Tuesday at noon. If you’d like to get involved with the planning team, please contact julie [at] aiacincinnati.org to be connected with organizers.

  • Ohio Representative to National SFx - Sarah Kleiner, AIA, Envisage Architecture

    The mission of the Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. SFx representatives connect small firm leaders in their local and state components to the national organization. Each month, SFx Ohio hosts either a virtual coffee chat to connect small firms across the state and learn how the AIA could better support their practice or a targeted conversation. SFx meets virtually - you can sign up on the calendar.

  • Co-Chairs: Manuel Granja, AIA, MT Studio and Aaron Kingsley, AIA, KZF Design

    The Urban Design community provides opportunities to share informed viewpoints on specific urban planning issues through meetings, workshops, and public forums while increasing the role of Cincinnati architects in the public/private sector decision-making process. Urban Design works to continue an exchange of practices and ideas for architecture beyond individual buildings and client interests, with active partnering relationships that impact expected changes. UDC hosts salons on urban design topics and partners with communities on planning workshops. UDC meets monthly on the second Wednesday from 5:30-7pm and welcomes new participants - you can sign up on the calendar. They also have a LinkedIn Group for timely conversations on urban design topics.

Program Committees

Program committees provide year-round educational and professional development opportunities for AIA Cincinnati members and allied professionals. If you would like to get involved, join us for a meeting or program, or have questions, please contact us.

  • Chair: Randy Merrill, AIA, MSP Design

    Knowledge Exchange is a partnership with AIA Cincinnati, AIA Dayton, and AIA Northern Kentucky that develops engaging, in-depth, continuing education programs to support professional growth and technical expertise on topics from building codes and professional practice to technology and working with consulting disciplines. The Exchange meets virtually on the second Friday of each month at 8 am. If you’d like to get involved with the planning team, contact julie [at] aiacincinnati.org

  • Chair: Madeline LaPlante, AIA, GBBN
    Co-Chair: Matthew Scott, AIA, BHDP

    Vision is a year-long, award-winning program that supports emerging professionals interested in developing the skills necessary to advance to higher levels within the architectural profession. Each year, a class of a dozen candidates are selected to take part in monthly full-day training and workshops. Applications are accepted in August and the program runs October through August. In addition, Vision offers several public keynote talks on subjects including community, advocacy, and the design process. More about the Vision program is online and details on the public keynote talks are shared on the calendar. Vision alumni have a LinkedIn Group.

Special Event Planning Teams

AIA Cincinnati organizes or contributes to several annual events. The committees responsible for planning these special events meet infrequently throughout the year. You do NOT have to be an AIA member to participate. If you would like to get involved, join us for a meeting or program, or have questions, please contact us.

  • AIA Contact: TBD

    Canstruction, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that holds annual design and build competitions across the country to benefit local food banks. AIA Cincinnati has at least one representative serving on the local planning committee, and dozens of AIA Cincinnati members are involved in designing and building the programs each year. To get involved, you can participate in the committee or organize a team at your firm.

  • CRANawards (April)
    Chair: Josh Pedoto, AIA, Studio TEN30

    The Cincinnati CRANawards is a juried awards program held annually by AIA Cincinnati’s Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) to celebrate and recognize outstanding projects by residential architects working in Cincinnati. Each year, a distinguished residential architect from outside of the chapter is invited to convene a jury for review of recently completed work. Winners are announced at the CRANawards banquet in the spring. You can get involved by serving on the planning committee, submitting a project, attending the banquet, sponsoring the event, or volunteering during the event itself. If you’d like to get involved, please contact julie [at] aiacincinnati.org .

  • Chair: Chad Kohler, AIA, Burgess & Niple

    AIA Cincinnati’s Golf Scramble features a day of fun and friendly competition on the course. Teams of four complete the course and compete for recognition in the awards.Volunteers are needed to help plan this annual event, recruit sponsors and participants, and to provide on-site staffing the day of the event. If you’d like to get involved, please contact julie [at] aiacincinnati.org .

  • Organizer: Alex Christoforidis, AIA, University of Cincinnati

    Each year, AIA Cincinnati partners with the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID) on an event to connect local firms with co-op candidates. SAIDworks gives local design firms an opportunity to showcase their firms, work, and culture to current students looking for co-op opportunities. The event begins with firm presentations followed by networking and opportunities for students to sign up for portfolio reviews. The following day, firm staff meet with students to review their portfolios and discuss co-op opportunities. Volunteers are needed to help plan the program, encourage firm participation, and provide on-site staffing during the event. Firm registration for the event will be available in July on the calendar.

  • Chair: Jacob Landini, Associate AIA, Champlin Studios

    The Sycamore Creek Club near Wards Corner provides over 20 stations of challenging clay shoots. Teams of three or four complete the course and compete for recognition as the highest scoring team and highest individual scorer. Dinner is served on the rustic patio. Volunteers are needed to help plan this annual event, recruit sponsors and participants, and to provide on-site staffing the day of the event. If you’d like to get involved, please contact julie [at] aiacincinnati.org .

  • Chair: Kevin Kluender, AIA, drawing dept
    Co-Chair: McKenzie Huber, IIDA

    The Cincinnati Design Awards (CDA) program recognizes the best built-environment design produced by Cincinnati-area creative firms and promotes the social and economic value of good design in our community. Each year, a distinguished nationwide jury of design thought leaders and eminent practitioners presents the awards to projects submitted by local architecture, interiors, landscape, experiential graphic designers, and community planners. The event is organized by a committee representing the partner organizations AIA, APA, ASID, ASLA, IIDA, and SEGD. The committee meets virtually the second Tuesday of the month, 8:30-9:30 am. If you are interested in participating in the CDA planning committee, please submit a request via the CDA website.