Mission Statement
The Community Interface Committee is dedicated to increasing the visibility and participation of architects within community groups and non-profit organizations.
The Committee will act as:
- A network and forum for exchange of knowledge related to public interest work.
- A point of contact for community groups and non-profit groups that seek solutions.
- A liaison between the AIA and established pro-bono design groups
- Support for architects' involvement in civic activities
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Who can participate?
- Socially-minded architects and designers
- Students and recent graduates looking for professional experience
- Professionals seeking pro-bono experience
- A/E firms looking to fulfill community service commitments
- Socially-minded professionals with specific expertise in engineering, finance, construction, code interpretation, etc.
Who needs help?
- Communities with un-addressed design problems.
- Nonprofit organizations in need of design solutions. Design services could encompass graphic design, ADA/accessibility upgrades, marketing materials, life safety concerns, building code violations as well as a full range of architectural design services.
- Partner organizations within Chicago such as Architecture for Humanity, Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility, City Design Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Archeworks.
- Over 350 organizations have registered with Public Architecture's 1% program nationwide
Our strength in problem solving can be applied to provide solutions for a wide array of dilemmas facing communities and nonprofit organizations. Active involvement of the architectural profession in community-related design concerns will build stronger connections with Chicago residents and acquaint them to the benefits of working with a designer. Together we can:
- Address a need in our communities
- Redefine the public image of architects
- Provide experience and leadership opportunities
- Mentor young architects
- Enhance dialogue between those that need design services and those that can provide them
Download the Community Interface proposal
Launch
- conduct interest survey of AIA Chicago
- conduct needs survey of nonprofit organizations
- create list of committee members
- members commit to be a part of a community group or nonprofit organization
- create web-accessible data base of members
- create web-accessible data base of non-profits
- define Continuing Education Unit opportunities
- launch party
Interface
- connect organizations with architects or firms
- direct individuals to established pro-bono groups
- lunchtime lecture series for CEUs
- project site visits for CEUs
- acknowledge member work in magazine
- collaborate with Working with an Architect for presentations directed to community groups
- coordinate service opportunities between established AIA Chicago Knowledge Communities
- research future opportunities such as creating an RFP process, social advocacy-based design awards program, or a full Design Collaborative
Establish
After laying the ground work and establishing credibility in communities, the committee can pursue numerous public work related endeavors: discussion with political leaders, public health and public legal aid professionals to establish greater rights for under-housed and underserved; elect architects to serve on City Council; provide student internships in conjunction with public architecture education programs at Chicago firms; start a Chicago Community Design Collaborative
Excerpt from 2007 AIA Code of Ethics:
E.S. 2.2 Public Interest Services: Members should render public interest professional services, including pro bono services, and encourage their employees to render such services. Pro bono services are those rendered without expecting compensation, including those rendered for indigent persons, after disasters, or in other emergencies.
E.S. 2.3 Civic Responsibility: Members should be involved in civic activities as citizens and professionals, and should strive to improve public appreciation and understanding of architecture and the functions and responsibilities of architects.
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