About AIA Seattle

AIA Seattle believes our world needs the visionary and integrative thinking of architects and designers, and that design solutions can positively impact our communities. That is why we champion the central role of architects in creating and sustaining a better built environment.

A chapter of the American Institute of Architects, AIA Seattle is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit, membership service organization. Founded in 1894, AIA Seattle is comprised of over 2,800 architects and allied professionals throughout the Puget Sound region. AIA Seattle membership is open to anyone with a professional or personal interest in architectural practice, and in the creation or appreciation of the built environment. Find out more about our organizational structure in our AIA Seattle Bylaws.

AIA Seattle is the 5th largest urban component of the American Institute of Architects, with members throughout the Puget Sound area. We serve the 10 counties of: Clallam, Chelan, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom through our chapter and NW Washington Section. AIA Seattle is one of four Washington components affiliated with AIA Washington Council.

In 2011, AIA Seattle founded Design in Public + Seattle Design Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to celebrate all the ways that design makes life better for Seattle.

In 2015, AIA Seattle partnered with Seattle Architecture Foundation, Design in Public (Seattle Design Festival), and AIA Washington Council to create the Center for Architecture & Design. The Center has been Seattle’s public space for exhibits, programs, and conversations that explore design’s role in shaping cities. Our ways of collaborating and convening have evolved in response to Covid and the Center and our partnerships are evolving too. More info here.

We acknowledge that the Center is on unceded lands of various nations of Coast Salish peoples, most specifically in our office, the federally-unacknowledged Duwamish, who still live and produce on this land.  As an organization focused on creating and sustaining a better built environment, and a culture of design that fosters equitable, resilient, and thriving communities, we recognize that we are guests on this land, and are seeking to become better stewards.

AIA Seattle Imperatives: AIA Seattle commits time and resources to align our work to achieve change in three primary categories:

• Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: AIA Seattle is committed to identifying, naming and dismantling systemic discrimination within the architecture community in order to nurture universal inclusion and fairness in the built environment, for the communities we impact.

• Housing: AIA Seattle is committed to the development of plentiful, quality, diverse, and sustainable housing options for current and future residents of Seattle.

• Climate: AIA Seattle commits itself to positive climate action and accelerating our shared goals of a decarbonized, equitable and resilient built environment that allows future generations and ecosystems to thrive.

For information about AIA Seattle’s organizational goals check out our mission, vision and strategic plan.