Towards an American Institute of Architects: The History of Ideals and Praxis that forged the AIA

Most architects know the story of the AIA’s founding in 1857. Far fewer know that an earlier organization—the American Institution of Architects, formed in 1836—laid the original groundwork for a national profession, only to be halted by the Panic of 1837.

Join Alan Solomon of Sawkill Lumber and AIA Brooklyn for this engaging live webinar that provides a rare look into the origins of the American architectural profession.  Alan has researched this presentation deeply, unearthing archival material and long-overlooked correspondence to reconstruct the full narrative. We will see how architects first imagined a national institute, how the AIA’s own self-understanding evolved over time and why this expanded history matters for architects today. Alan’s meaningful research and presentation will expand our collective sense of our profession’s early identity, while inviting new conversations about the role of architects in society today.