Recent Catastrophes Focus Profession’s Attention on Post-Disaster Safety Evaluation and Assistance for Affected Communities

Washington, D.C. - June 17, 2013 : The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced that it will offer seven sessions at its annual convention this week that will enable architects to help communities recover from the spate of recent weather-related disasters that have devastated sections of the country, as well as help them avoid such future destruction.

The programs offered will cover a range of skills needed for architects to plan and reshape communities in the path of such disasters as earthquakes, hurricanes and tornados, and for them to act as recovery agents in their wake.

Leading the sessions will be members of the AIA’s National Disaster Response Committee, as well as members of the AIA New York Chapter, who will discuss its role in the recovery efforts from Superstorm Sandy and the push for Good Samaritan legislation to protect architects who help in declared-emergency situations.  http://designforrisk.com

In addition, representatives from Architecture for Humanity, which leads the profession’s disaster reconstruction efforts, will hold a reception Thursday night and its co-founder and Executive Director, Cameron Sinclair, will deliver a keynote address Friday, June 21, on the core passion of the architectural profession—the desire to leave the world a better place, one project at a time.

The sessions come in the wake of a commitment announced at the CGI America Conference last week by the AIA, Architecture for Humanity, Make it Right and St. Bernard Project to launch “ Designing Recovery,” an ideas competition created to aid in the rebuild of sustainable and resilient communities. The “Designing Recovery” competition will take place in New Orleans, LA; Joplin, MO; and New York, N.Y. – with a total of $30,000 in prize money divided equally among three winning designs for single-family houses – one for each location – that meet the objective of improving the quality, diversity and resiliency of the housing in each community.

About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, members of the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well being.  Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit  www.aia.org.



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