Dear Members and Friends,

I spend a lot of time thinking about community. What it is, how to build it, and what it means for the architecture profession. We know that we need it to succeed, but sometimes it can be challenging to get your arms around it. AIA Philadelphia, in my mind, is a community container. A (non-physical) space that can hold and nurture the connections our community needs to find that next project or professional relationship. It is something flexible that can adapt to the needs of our members — somewhere you can go to learn, or unwind, or be creative, or show off your work. It’s a place where we are all aiming in the same direction, guided by shared values and an unwavering commitment to cultivating design excellence for all. Speaking of design excellence, we are accepting nominations for the Young Architect Award and PEAPrize, now through August 22. If you know of an architect or firm who deserves consideration for these awards, please let us know. We look forward to celebrating all of the Design Awards winners this fall. Our team works very hard to create high-value experiences for our members. We know that a thriving industry is the surest path towards a future where the built environment is sustainable and equitable for everyone. And we know that we cannot do that without the incredible creativity, vision, talent, and grit that you all possess. We are here in service of you, so that you can serve us all. 

With gratitude, Rebecca Johnson, Hon. AIA

Highlights from Our Annual Report

AT AIA PHILADELPHIA, we believe that architects have the power to shape a built environment that is sustainable, equita-ble, and healthy for all. Our mission is to support architects and the broader design community in realizing this vision by providing the resources, connections, and advocacy necessary to thrive. In 2024, AIA Philadelphia continued to deliver impactful programming, and refine our operations to better serve our members and the industry. We’re excited to share a few highlights here. To see the full report, visit aiaphiladelphia.org. 

Cut-and-Paste Connections

Creative networking events spark community and support a greater cause

By Zuzanna Bojarska

Emerging professionals are the future of our profession. Can we create spaces for them that spark genuine connections, encourage cross-sector networking, and inspire creative action for a greater cause?

The short answer: Yes. And it’s easier than you think. For many  Millennials and Gen Zers, traditional networking events can feel awkward, performative, and disconnected. Mingling over light refreshments with strangers doesn’t always lead to meaningful conversation — or any at all.

What young professionals are really seeking is connection with in-tention, a reason to gather beyond just small talk. Shared experiences, creative collaboration, and a unifying purpose naturally foster relation-ships that are more authentic and long-lasting.

Enter: Collage & Connect.  What began as a fundraiser — with ticket proceeds benefiting DesignPhiladelphia’s K-12 Design Education Pro-gram, dedicated to increasing access to design pathways in underrep-resented communities — quickly evolved into a vibrant, intergenera-tional night of art-making and networking.

More than just an evening of magazine cut outs, glue, and scissors, it was an energy shift. Conversations flowed organically, sparked by requests to borrow a glue stick, compliments on collage compositions, or simply the joy of co-creating. New friendships were formed, career leads exchanged, and a shared creative experience turned into collec-tive momentum.

Three successful sessions sparked a demand for more, while suc-cessfully raising over $2,500 towards Design Education.

As an industry, we should foster more creative ways for young professionals to network, while also generating a positive impact for the greater community. When designers of all backgrounds are given access to connection, mentorship, and creative purpose, the impact ripples far beyond a single event. 

Zuzanna Bojarska is an architectural designer focused on socially responsive, community-centered work emphasizing equity and representation. She actively contributes to pro-bono projects and public programming with DesignPhiladelphia, AIA Philadelphia, and AIA Pennsylvania, while leading extracurricular initiatives that support design education and professional development.

Collage & Connect is a recurring event at DesignPhiladelphia that blends creativity with community-building for young and emerging professionals across disciplines. Over the course of the series, it has fostered a multi-generational space for connection, conversation, and collaboration. With all materials provided, participants can easily engage their creative side while supporting DesignPhiladelphia’s design education program — a refreshing way to unwind and meet others across the city’s vibrant professional landscape.

AIA Happenings

Events bringing members together

From learning together, to celebrating each other, to hitting the links, this year has already featured a slew of exciting gatherings aimed at fostering AIA’s community and supporting its membership. Want to know what we have planned next? Head to aiaphiladelphia.org/events

Members and students gathered at the Athenaeum for the 2025 AIA Philadelphia Board Induction and networking event

PHOTOS: FLICKER + ELM

More than 200 players participated in the 2025 Matthew J. Koenig Memorial Golf Tournament

Emerging architects and professionals explored innovative accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs for affordable housing in the John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship in Architecture competition