The Emerging Professionals Committee promotes career and professional development, advocates for emerging professionals within the work environment, offers student mentorship and university outreach, as well as helps young professionals prepare for A.R.E. exams, complete their IDP credit and build relationships with fellow emerging architects.
Additional Resources
Emerging Professionals Committee
2024 Friendly Firm Program
ARE Study Materials
Ben Brewer Award
Chair
Clint Stanford, AIA
Staff Liaison
Aleks Savitski
aleks@aiahouston.org
Emerging Professionals Committee
About the Committee
The Emerging Professionals Committee promotes career and professional development, advocates for emerging professionals within the work environment, offers student mentorship and university outreach, as well as helps young professionals prepare for A.R.E. exams, complete their IDP credit and build relationships with fellow emerging architects.
Programs
ARE Prep Study Sessions and Pub Quizzes
These events help Associate members prepare for ARE examinations and provides invaluable guidance and resources on the way to licensure. Upcoming Study Sessions.
Friendly Firm Program
The Emerging Professional Friendly Firm initiative is an award-based program aimed at celebrating firms that create nurturing environments and professional development opportunities for emerging professionals. Learn more. Check out the 2021 Winners.
Sip & See
Sip & See provides networking opportunities as well as free tours of spaces designed by Houston architects and interior designers.
Portfolio Development Workshop and Career Panel Discussions
Open to associate and architect members, Portfolio Development Workshops and Career Panel Discussions provide opportunities for peer-to-peer conversations between accomplished design professionals and those entering the field.
University Outreach
University outreach is focused on promoting the importance and benefits of AIA membership to students enrollled in architecture studies at local universities and colleges.Programs include collaborative initiatives with AIAS chapters.
Ben Brewer Young Architect Award
Named in honor of Ben Brewer, FAIA, for distinguished service to the profession and his significant influence on young professionals. This award recognizes excellence in ability, exceptional work, and significant contributions in the practice of architecture by architects who are in their first 10 years of practice. This year’s Ben Brewer Award winner is Michelle Old of Kirksey Architecture.
Design-Make Residency
The AIA Houston Young Architect’s Forum Design‐Make Residency is an innovative program that bridges the gap between theoretical design and physical production. Throughout the program cycle, residents will develop their selected project and area of study, culminating in the production of object(s) to be displayed at Architecture Center Houston. The program provides support for up to 3 residents annually in the form of workshop space and access to tools (via TxRx Labs, https://txrxlabs.org/), and connection to other resources such as materials and mentors. The program is temporarily on hold.
Houston Young Design Professionals HH
Drinks, networking and design talk! Come make new connections with fellow Houston Young Design Professionals! Hosted by the AIA Young Architects Forum, AGC Construction Leadership Council, American Society of Landscape Architects, American Planning Association, Young Engineers in ASHRAE, and rdAGENTS, American Society of Interior Designers and the Illuminating Engineering Society. Hosted Spring and Fall.
Connect Dinner
AIA Houston honors the year’s College of Fellows inductees, open to emerging professionals and Fellows. Typically in October.
Firm Presence
Shop talk and networking at a local architectural firm. If you’d like to host a YAF Firm Presence, please contact the YAF committee.
Fireside Chat
Conversation with Houston’s leading architects, on-site. Limited to 25 attendees. If you’d like to host a YAF Fireside Chat, please contact the YAF committee. Takes place quarterly.
