AIA Young Architects Forum

We ENGAGE recently licensed Architects in leadership to become agents of change within the Institute and the profession overall.
We INSPIRE professional growth among recently licensed Architects through fellowship within AIA.
We ADVOCATE for issues of particular relevance to recently licensed Architects to the Institute.
We PROMOTE mentorship at all career stages to enhance personal growth, community involvement, and professional development.

Young Architect Rep.

Young Architect Representatives (YARs) are the primary connection between AIA chapters and the national YAF Advisory Committee.

2024-25 Delaware YAR
Email: Jack Whalen, AIA

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YAF Handbook
YAR Position Description

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YAF Publications

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How to Facilitate Mentorship through Events and Programs (coming soon!)
How to Facilitate an Practice Innovation Lab
How to Start or Grow an Emerging Professional Committee at your firm

Advocacy ...

YAF Advocacy Webinars on AIAU

Humans at Work: Where Progressive Firm Cultures and Policies Intersect,
1.50 LU
The Culture of Architecture - A Multicultural Perspective on Design Through the Lens of Diverse Storytelling, 1.50 LU/HSW

So You Want to Build an Equitable Future? Practice Innovation through Universal + Inclusive Design, 1.50 LU/HSW
So You Want to Design for All? Designing for Mental Health, 1.50 LU/HSW

Burning Out In Architecture

AIA Young Architects Forum is pleased to present tips on preventing burnout and actionable advice from Young Architect Representatives nationwide.

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2nd Annual Advocacy Challenge

The 2023-2027 Strategic Initiative for the AIA Young Architects Forum is ‘Architects in Action, Catalyzing for Change’. We all are agents of change by volunteering our time with organizations within and outside the AIA. Last year, our first YAF Volunteer Challenge highlighted member contributions of over 5,525 volunteers hours to their communities!

AIA Delaware member MATTHEW FOLEY, AIA was in the spotlight in 2024!

Career Resources

YAF-LFRT Future Forward Grant
Opens each spring

Presented by the Large Firm Roundtable (LFRT) and the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF), the Future Forward Grant supports students, emerging professionals, and early career architects in the testing of new ideas that disrupt the traditional conception of practice, process, and product in the field of architecture.

The primary objective of the grant is to perpetuate innovation in the practice of architecture by empowering students, emerging professionals, and early career architects to do things they would not otherwise have the capital or resources to accomplish.

This grant seeks to fund untested ideas and advance exploration, innovation, and disruption in the architecture profession.

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YAF-COF Align Mentorship Program
Opens each fall

The Young Architects Forum and College of Fellows Align Mentorship Program is a long-range initiative (think ten years, not one) that connects young architects with AIA Fellows nationally. Through a grouping system referred to as “pods”, the program pairs four to six young architects with two to three fellows, facilitating professional and leadership development.

The program’s objectives are:

To support Young Architects in defining their legacy within the profession while navigating one’s career path.
Create a vehicle for mentorship and career development that connects Young Architects and Fellows with peers across the country.
Accelerating contributions of Young Architects and developing regionally diverse collectives to contribute more in the future.

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