President's Report May 2019

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Our state conference wrapped up in Madison recently, with great attendance by our membership. I hope that all of you found abundant value in the wide array of speakers and presentations. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this two-day revelry of architecture. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"On a national stage, the upcoming 2019 AIA Conference on Architecture is being held in Las Vegas, an often-maligned city in architectural circles. While this gambling oasis of caricature casinos and exaggerated resorts has never been considered a favorite concentration of treasured buildings by architects as compared to say New York or Chicago, it does grab the imagination of the millions of tourists who trudge up and down the Strip each year. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Are we as architects too quick to dismiss the architectural value of a city simply because of one streetscape or prevalent building type? When compared to most other suburban landscapes, Las Vegas is quite unique and expressive. I am certain that the many architects and firms who practice in Las Vegas take pride in the diverse portfolio of schools, hospitals, libraries and public buildings that serve its inhabitants. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"There is a value to every commission that only an architect can provide."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"I was reminded of diversity in the types of buildings architects create here at home this April. AIA Wisconsin Executive Director Bill Babcock, Hon. AIA, and I had the opportunity to meet with several member firms in the Northeast section of the state. Our purpose was simply to take time to get together with firms to gain an understanding of how AIA Wisconsin can better serve our members. What we came away with was a reminder of the incredible variety in the approach to architectural practice \u2013 and consequently, the needs and concerns of different businesses and even the studios within those firms. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"These differences demonstrate the strength of modern architectural practice, and I believe it is AIA\u2019s mission to serve this mixture of organizations. We intend to visit additional firms in the other corners of the state as the year progresses, and I am certain that we will continue to be encouraged and inspired by the range of the profession in Wisconsin. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"So whatever type of projects you put your Architect\u2019s stamp on, from casinos to churches, know that there is a value to every commission that only an architect can provide. "]]]]}