Architecture Organizations

By Russ Baker


Wondering what to do with all that spare time as a full time college student? Joining student or professional organizations is an excellent way to keep yourself even busier, and you will thank yourself many times over down the road. The extent to which you involve yourself is generally up to you, granted you pay the dues to keep your membership(s) active. Being a member, particularly holding a leadership role, in a professional or student organization will definitely look good on your resume; but if that is the sole reason for joining, and you remain minimally active, you are only robbing yourself of countless opportunities and learning experiences. Some of the benefits of actively involving yourself in some of these extracurricular organizations are gaining real-world experience; attending meetings and conferences; participating in design charrettes and design competitions; earning awards and/or recognition; receiving updates, news and events via postal mail or electronic mail; receiving discounts on magazine subscriptions (sometimes free), travels, textbooks, and other miscellany; attend various workshops and lectures with guest speakers; and meeting new friends and professional connections. Though I did involve myself in several memberships, in hindsight, it would have been more valuable, personally, had I taken advantage of these opportunities by being more active in each organization. Therefore, I recommend actively joining several of these advantageous groups available to architecture students, some of which offer local chapters or divisions. Here is a list of some of these organizations and their descriptions/mission statements:

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)

“Since 1956, the American Institute of Architecture Students has been the voice of students to the educational system and the profession of architecture and design in North America–and beyond. The association helps to build interest and enrich the educational experience of students (of all ages) and others in architecture and design. The AIAS is an independent, 501c3 non-profit and student-run organization that is more than just a club. This grassroots association is a cooperative between thousands of students in North America (of all ages and academic degrees) committed to helping each other. It provides a sense of community and a forum to share differing views. The AIAS is also a professional organization that is the official voice of architecture students.”

http://www.aias.org/

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

“Headquartered in Chicago, [AISC] is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including: specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, and market development. AISC has a long tradition of service to the steel construction industry providing timely and reliable information.

As part of AISC's mission, we emphasize:

o Increasing the structural steel industry’s share of the construction market
o Unifying the industry with a common purpose
o Supporting and improving the ability of the structural steel industry to be both innovative and competitive in a worldwide construction market

For almost 90 years, AISC has conducted its numerous activities with a scrupulous sense of public responsibility. For this reason, and because of the high caliber of its staff, the Institute enjoys a close working relationship with architects, engineers, code officials and educators who recognize its professional status in the fields of specification writing, structural research, design development and performance standards.

AISC represents the total experience, judgment and strength of the entire domestic industry of steel fabricators, distributors and producers. The scope and success of its activities could not be achieved by any one member of the industry. The nation shares the rewards of these activities – through better, safer and more economical buildings, bridges and other structures framed in structural steel. There's always a solution in steel.”

http://www.aisc.org/

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)

“PCI, an organization dedicated to fostering greater understanding and use of precast and prestressed concrete, maintains a full staff of technical and marketing specialists. The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is the foremost developer of standards and methods for designing, fabricating, and constructing precast concrete structures. It was founded in 1954by the engineers and firms that pioneered prestressed concrete technology in the United States. Today, as the technical institute of the precast concrete structures industry, PCI maintains the “body of knowledge” necessary for the safety, quality, cost effectiveness, and continuous improvement of precast concrete structures. PCI also operates the world’s leading certification program for firms and individuals in the precast concrete structures industry, and conducts a wide variety of educational seminars, technical conferences, conventions, exhibitions, and awards programs.”

http://www.pci.org

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

“The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.”
On the USGBC website, you can certify your green building, join USGBC as an organization, join a chapter as an individual, sign up for courses and workshops, purchase LEED Reference Guides, learn about Greenbuild, sign up for e-newsletters, become a LEED AP or Green Associate, and explore green building research.

http://www.usgbc.org/

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

“CSI was founded in March 1948 by the specification writers of government agencies who came together to improve the quality of construction specifications. The Institute’s efforts were essential in improving construction specification quality so that it could meet the demands of the post-war construction boom. Development of specifications best practices, promulgating standards/formats, professional education, and certification were cornerstones of the Institute. The Institute grew quickly to include specification writers in the private sector, design professionals concerned about communicating their vision in construction documents, constructors interested in delivering high-quality facilities, and material suppliers with unique solutions to construction challenges. These construction professionals continue to work together today as CSI members to effectively communicate the designers’ vision, the material producers’ solutions, and the constructors’ techniques to create outstanding facilities that meet facility owners’ objectives. The mission of CSI is to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance. CSI is a national association of more than 13,000 volunteers, including specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, facility mangers, product representatives, manufacturers, owners and others who are experts in building construction and the materials used therein. They are dedicated to improving the communication of construction […].”

http://www.csinet.org/

Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)

“The IES seeks to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public. The IES will build upon a century of excellence to create the premier lighting community dedicated to promoting the art and science of quality lighting to its members, allied professional organizations, and the public.”

http://www.ies.org/, http://ies.rso.siuc.edu/