The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and more than 400 of its architect members are attending meetings today with their Members of Congress. As professionals and constituents, AIA members are advocating for two bipartisan pieces of legislation that benefit communities and their inhabitants.

Architects are meeting with legislators to discuss the Democracy In Design Act (S.366), to ensure that communities across the country maintain a voice in the design of federal buildings consistent with their preferences, culture, topographies, and design traditions. Architects are also advocating for the Resilient AMERICA Act, which would make significant changes to the federal government’s ability to prepare communities for future natural disasters. The bill accomplishes this by increasing federal funding for pre-disaster mitigation through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.

“Improving building and community resilience to future climate-related natural disasters is a key component of AIA’s goal,” said AIA 2023 President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA. “Additionally, it remains critically important that our country retain the flexibility to choose between a variety of design styles in our public buildings, not have those decisions dictated at the outset. 

AIA’s Lobby Day provides architects with a platform to directly advocate in support of legislation impacting the profession. AIA Lobby Day is one component of this year’s AIA Leadership Summit. 

Grandstaff-Rice added, “As trained problem-solvers and natural facilitators, architects have the skills to help legislators develop policies that create more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities.”