The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the University of Minnesota announced the signing of an agreement to develop “Guides for Equitable Practice.”Â
“The AIA and the University of Minnesota have been developing this partnership for some time because our profession, like others, is not immune from discrimination and harassment by some of our colleagues in a variety of positions of power," said RenĂ©e Cheng, FAIA, DPACSA. “This guide will help firms avoid some of those mistakes and bring their internal operations more in line with the diverse clients and communities they serve.”Â
Based on the recommendations from the AIA Equity in Architecture Commission Report, the guides will provide architects and firms with guidance on best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, and how those values can be a part of any architectural practice. They will address such issues as career progression, work culture, leadership development, pay equity, talent recruitment and more. Topics under work culture include attention to specific areas such as professional ethics and sexual harassment.
 “Though these guides will serve as a vital resource for underrepresented and marginalized architects, it’s our hope they will be an asset to the entire profession will utilize,” said Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, 2018-2020 AIA At-large Director and Chair of the Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee. “We’re moving toward a more equitable profession and these guides will help us get there.”
The Guides for Equitable Practice will be developed and implemented in three phases, with each phase focusing on three to four chapters of the guidebook. The first phase is planned for completion in late 2018 with subsequent phases and their chapters released every six to eight months.
Development of the guidebook will be a collaborative effort. Cheng leads the University of Minnesota team, which includes Andrea Johnson and Nancy Alexander. AIA Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee will contribute to project leadership and become a critical part of the review process. Cheng, recently named dean of the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments, will continue to lead the guides project at the University of Minnesota through the end of 2018.
The AIA Equity in Architecture Commission, a panel of leading architects, educators, and diversity experts, was formed to address concerns about disproportionate demographics among those in the profession. The Commission's work ended after it identified the root causes for the lack of diversity and inclusion and offered recommendations on how to address those issues.
As part of other efforts to build a more inclusive profession, the AIA also issued a statement today on the Institute's values, specifically addressing the issue of sexual harassment. Â
Â
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 21, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 21, 2020
IoT system helps contractors keep their distance and the multifamily market flattens.
Market Data | Apr 20, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 20, 2020
The continent's tallest living wall and NMHC survey shows significant delays in apartment construction.
Market Data | Apr 17, 2020
Construction employment declines in 20 states and D.C. in March, in line with industry survey showing growing job losses for the sector
New monthly job loss data foreshadows more layoffs amid project cancellations and state cutbacks in road projects as association calls for more small business relief and immediate aid for highway funding.
Market Data | Apr 17, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 17, 2020
Meet the 'AEC outsiders' pushing the industry forward and the world's largest Living Building.
Market Data | Apr 16, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 16, 2020
The SMPS Foundation and Building Design+Construction are studying the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the ability to attain and retain clients and conduct projects and Saks Fifth Avenue plans a sanitized post-coronavirus opening.
Market Data | Apr 15, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 15, 2020
Buildings as "open source platforms" and 3D printing finds its grove producing face shields.
Market Data | Apr 14, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 14, 2020
A robot dog conducts site inspections and going to the library with little kids just got easier.
Market Data | Apr 13, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 13, 2020
How prefab can enable the AEC industry to quickly create new hospital beds and Abu Dhabi launches a design competition focused on reducing urban heat island effect.
Market Data | Apr 10, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 10, 2020
Designing for the next generation of student life and a mass timber Ramada Hotel rises in British Columbia.
Market Data | Apr 9, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 9, 2020
Urine could be the key to building in outer space and how to turn a high school into a patient care center in just over two weeks.