Building on Success: AIA Birmingham’s 2024 Year in Review
Happy 2025 Beautiful Architects,
2024 left me feeling so grateful for each of you. So many of you volunteer your time to serve on AIA BHM committees, the board, attend all of the 17 events held in 2024. And you did these things while working full time, loving and taking care of your family (including your fur babies), running a firm, mentoring young professionals, serving on community boards/design review, and maintaining your licensure in who knows how many states. And young professionals who are not licensed, add to the above – STUDYING to take your exams.
How do you do it???!!! I have learned over the past 20 years you love what you do, and architects give back with their time and talent. You are an amazing group of professionals that I am so honored to work with you, most of the time it does not feel like work. Like you, I have my days. LOL
2025 is (can you believe it?) AIA Birmingham’s 60th Anniversary! We will celebrate starting with Bar Design at Continental Drift on January 28th at 4:00 p.m. Let’s raise a toast for all the good you are doing in the community! Email an AIA Birmingham memory to aiabirm@aiabham.org or how AIA has helped you on your architectural journey. Love to hear from you.
Keep making a positive impact on the community, you are appreciated.
Peace & AIA Love,
Rhéa Williams, Hon. ASLA, AIA BHM Executive Director
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As we close out 2024, we celebrate a year of growth, innovation, and collaboration within AIA Birmingham. From inspiring events to impactful initiatives, the dedication of our members and the generosity of our Partners & Sponsors have made a successful year. Together, we’ve built stronger connections and fostered creativity that sets the stage for an even more exciting 2025.
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Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors & Partners
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and partners for making AIA Birmingham’s success possible. Your support drives our growth, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the future.
Ready to get involved next year? Check out our 2025 Sponsor Brochure!
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Mark Your Calendars
Check out all our upcoming dates and events here!
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Recap of 2024 Events:
Click each link to view photo galleries from our events.
Parking Reform (January Chapter Meeting)
Platinum + SESCO Pop-Up Event
Emerging Professionals Hardwick Tour
Coffee With AIA Executive Committee & Past Presidents
Wade, Sand & Gravel (March Chapter Meeting)
Platinum + AMA Lighting Pop-Up Event
Emerging Professionals Geotechnical Lab Presentation & Tour with MBA Engineers, INC.
2024 Design Awards Ceremony
3rd Annual Healthcare Symposium
Newly Licensed Architects Ceremony
Platinum + Lighting Solutions Pop-Up Event
Fright Night With Bell & McCoy Lighting & Controls
Platinum + MBA Engineers, INC Pop-Up Event
2024 Members & Sponsors Appreciation Trade show
Young Professionals Networking Cocktail Hour
2024 Holiday Party
2025 EXCOM Planning Meeting
Congratulations to our Newly Licensed Architects!
We are proud to congratulate our newly licensed members on their remarkable achievements and well-deserved licensure this year. AIA Birmingham is proud to celebrate the success of these outstanding architects, whose accomplishments continue to inspire us all.
- Celia Gannaway, Williams Blackstock Architects – Newly Licensed Architect
- Diondria Bingham, Davis Architects – Newly Licensed Architect
- Alex Hamady, Architecture Works – Newly Licensed Architect
- Ashley Askew, KPS Group – Newly Licensed Architect
- Kelsey Brigati, The Wadsworth Architecture Co. – Newly Licensed Architect
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Partnered Efforts
We are excited to reflect on the impactful events we proudly partnered on with the Alabama Center for Architecture (ACFA), leaving a lasting impression on the educational journey of aspiring architects.
dreamARCHITECTURE-
Our annual elementary school outreach program, dreamARCHITECTURE, is an art competition that inspires K-5 students to think about their built environment. Each year, the contest features a new theme, inviting children to unleash their creativity by drawing their dream house, zoo, park, and more.
Thank you to our members and sponsors who supported dreamARCHITECTURE: Draw Your Dream Park this year!
- ArchitectureWorks
- B Group Architecture
- Birchfield Penuel Architects
- GMC Network
- HNP Landscape Architecture
- KPS Group
- Nimrod Long & Associates
- Studio C
- Thompson Architecture
- Paul Bates Architecture
- Go Lightly Landscape
Get involved with the dreamARCHITECTURE 2025 Program: Draw Your Dream ZOO!
Sponsorships available now!
Scholarship Luncheon–
The Alabama Center for Architecture is dedicated to shaping the future of the architecture profession by awarding scholarships to exceptional students from across Alabama. Since its inception, the ACFA Scholarship program has provided over $125,000 in funding to support aspiring architects in their educational journeys.
Each year, the ACFA proudly hosts its annual Scholarship Luncheon, where outstanding architecture students are recognized and celebrated with well-deserved scholarships. This inspiring event brings together attendees from across the state to honor and support the next generation of creative minds who will define the future of architecture with their talent and passion.
Looking to 2025!
Meet Our 2025 President!
Dear AIA Birmingham Members, Sponsors, and Supporters,
As we step into another promising year, I am honored to get to serve as your chapter president. This year marks an extraordinary milestone for our chapter- our 60th anniversary. Since Edward J. Bondurant first held this position in 1965, a legacy of vision, dedication, and passion has been carried forward by a remarkable group of past presidents who have shaped the AIA Birmingham we know today.
Recently, I asked our Executive Committee what they value most about AIA Birmingham. The answers were heartfelt and beautifully capture the essence of who we are:
• Collegiality: AIA Birmingham is a place where architects connect, collaborate, and grow together.
• Our Sponsors: Your support sustains and energizes everything we do. Thank you for standing with us and being such important resources and collaborators.
• Advocacy: From the local level to state and national initiatives, we are proud to champion the issues that matter most to our profession and communities.
• Continuing Education: CEUs remain a cornerstone of our offerings, ensuring our members stay ahead in a constantly evolving field.
• Awards and Socials: From recognizing excellence in design to fostering connections at our events, these moments celebrate the best of us.
• Community Initiatives: Our outreach programs like the Alabama Center for Architecture (ACFA), dreamARCHITECTURE, N2 Architecture, ACE Mentoring, student scholarships, and disaster assistance reflect our commitment to making a difference. Learn more and get involved here.
Leading up to this position, I’ve gotten to learn so much about how ways our amazing members collectively and individually impact our community. It goes way beyond the buildings we design. Architects are so generous with their time and talents in service to others.
Our national organization has grown to represent more than 100,000 members, a testament to the collective strength and impact of architects across the country. Locally, we are fortunate to have an exceptional team, led by our Executive Director, Rhea Williams, and her team at Karma Management, who work tirelessly to support our membership and advocate for our profession. I am proud to serve alongside such dedicated folks.
Looking Ahead:
This year, let’s celebrate our rich history while continuing to build on our successes. We have an exciting vision: to extend our advocacy efforts, championing the importance of architecture in creating a better world; to strengthen the bonds within our community through meaningful programs, engaging events, and collaborative initiatives; and to empower the next generation of architects by expanding scholarships and mentorship opportunities.
Gratitude and Involvement:
To our sponsors, thank you for your unwavering support. I encourage all members to take a moment to thank and support these invaluable partners. To our members, we are here to serve you, listen to you, represent you, advocate for you, and celebrate you. Your input and involvement are vital as we move forward together.
Spoiler Alert!
While we celebrate AIA Birmingham’s 60th anniversary, I’ll tease that it’s not the only milestone we’ll mark this year. Be on the lookout for some April Foolery—you won’t want to miss it!
Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and inspiration. Together, let’s honor our legacy and create a vibrant future for architects in Birmingham and beyond. Thank you for being part of AIA Birmingham. Let’s make this year extraordinary together!!
As we look ahead to the new year, we’re excited for the continued opportunities for collaboration and growth. Stay connected and keep up with all our events and updates by following us on our social media channels.
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