President’s Message

September 2026

Why AIA Still Matters — And Why That Depends on You

I want to start with a simple question: What does it mean to you to have “AIA” after your name?

For most of us, it started as a milestone, proof that we finally earned our license, paid our dues, and joined a profession with a long, serious history. But those three letters aren’t just credentials. They’re a claim. When you put “AIA” on a business card, a stamp, or an email signature, you’re telling clients, contractors, and the public that you stand behind something larger than your own practice. You’re saying you’re part of an organization that represents architecture in this region that advocates good design, sound building policy, and the value of what we do.

That claim is only as strong as the chapter behind it.

AIA Inland California is that chapter. We are the voice of the profession here in our region. We are the ones showing up at planning commission meetings, building relationships with local officials, mentoring the next generation of architects, and making the case, publicly and repeatedly, that design matters to the health of our communities. When a city considers a new development ordinance, when a school board debates facility standards, when the public conversation turns to how our region should grow, AIA Inland California is one of the few organizations positioned to speak with real authority. That’s not a small thing. It’s the reason this chapter exists.

We’re also practicing in one of the richest, most vibrant economies in the country. California’s building industry continues to outperform much of the nation, and our region is no exception. The pace of work here is real, and it is shown in every firm’s project list. That’s a good problem to have, but it’s still worth naming honestly: we are busy. Deadlines are tight, staff are stretched, and it’s easy to let anything outside billable work slide to the bottom of the list. I understand that better than most. But being busy is exactly why this chapter matters more, not less. A thriving economy is precisely the moment when the profession needs a strong, active voice shaping how that growth happens. That voice only exists if we make room for it. We are never too busy to contribute back to the profession that’s making this a good time to practice architecture in California.

But an organization that represents the profession must be the profession, not just a handful of names, but a living, active membership.

Right now, we have roughly 180 members in this chapter. That’s a real community — architects across every stage of career and every corner of our region. And yet the work of the chapter, from committee planning to board governance to the events that bring us together, is carried out by a relatively small group who keep showing up meeting after meeting, year after year. I’m deeply grateful to them. But a chapter of this size shouldn’t run on the energy of a dozen or so people. It should run on the energy of 180.

We’ve all heard the old line that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Around here, that’s been true for a while. Except the “few” also happen to be the same names cycling back onto committees and the board year after year, term after term, because nobody else has raised a hand yet. Noble as it sounds in a movie, it’s not exactly a sustainable operating model for a professional chapter.

And right now, that need is immediate. AIA Inland California has two Director positions open now, and our Chapter Secretary, while filled today, will be vacant in 2027. This means we need someone ready to step into that role before we get there. These aren’t hypothetical future needs. The Director seats need to be filled now for the chapter to function the way it should, and every month they stay open is a month where fewer voices are shaping the decisions that represent all 180 of us. The Secretary transition may be a little further out, but leadership pipelines don’t build themselves overnight. The person who fills that seat in 2027 needs to start getting involved now. If we don’t act on all three, the work doesn’t stop, it just falls further onto fewer people, which makes the whole chapter more fragile, not less.

So here is my request, plainly and urgently: Get involved, and consider stepping into one of these roles. Not because we’re desperate for warm bodies, but because this chapter is more relevant, more useful, and more interesting when more of you are shaping it. Right now, three seats at that table need someone thinking seriously about claiming them.

The architect Richard Rogers put it simply: “The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.” He was talking about the built environment broadly, but the same principle holds for the profession that shapes it. Our chapter doesn’t get stronger because few people work harder. It gets stronger because more of us show up.

I am also proud to share that we have an amazing member, Jason Jewell, AIA, stepping in as our incoming 2027 president. Jason’s willingness to take on this role is exactly the kind of engagement this message is about, and this chapter is fortunate to have him lead it. But succession doesn’t stop with one person. We are already looking ahead to 2028, and we need others in this chapter ready to step up as president when that time comes. If leading this chapter is something you’d consider, even a few years out, I’d welcome the chance to talk with you about what the path looks like.

There are a lot of ways in which you can participate. None of them require decades of experience to start:

•      Run for Director or start preparing for Chapter Secretary. Two Director seats are open now. The Secretary role opens in 2027 — reach out and let’s talk about what’s involved.

•      Join a committee. Whether it’s advocacy, programs, emerging professionals, or design awards, committees are where the chapter’s actual work happens. This is where you’ll meet the people making things happen.

•      Attend an event, then bring a colleague. Visibility compounds. The easiest way to grow engagement is simply showing up and inviting someone else to do the same.

•      Tell us what you want to see. If the chapter isn’t offering something that would make membership feel worth it to you, that’s exactly the feedback we need.

Membership dues keep the lights on. They don’t make this chapter relevant, you do. Every architect who gets involved, even a little, makes AIA Inland California a stronger voice for the profession in this region, and makes those three letters after your name mean a little more.

I also want to recognize the sponsors and vendors who partner with this chapter. Their support does more than fund an event or underwrite a program, it strengthens the whole community of people who design and build in this region. The relationships we build with the engineers, landscape architects, manufacturers, suppliers, and other service providers who work alongside us make every one of us better at what we do.  They help ensure the projects we deliver together, are the best they can be. If you’re a member with a strong relationship with a vendor or sponsor who isn’t yet partnering with the chapter, I’d encourage you to make the introduction.

None of this happens without the people already carrying the load, and I want to take a moment to recognize one of them directly. Our executive director, Lisa Pizza, has done an outstanding job keeping this chapter running, she is holding together the day-to-day work that makes everything else possible, and doing it with a level of dedication and professionalism this chapter is fortunate to have. If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the scenes making sure events happen, communications go out, and the chapter functions smoothly, it’s Lisa. Each of us needs to recognize her contributions to making our chapter as good as it can be.

David Higginson, AIA
President
AIA Inland California Chapter

Urgent President’s Message

August 2026

Fellow AIA Inland California Members,

As I write this message, wildfires continue to burn across our neighboring states. Oregon and Washington are experiencing one of the most severe fire seasons in recent memory, with entire communities near Spokane evacuated and hundreds of homes and businesses reduced to ash. Firefighting crews from California, including many of our own state's resources, have been deployed north to assist. Closer to home, fire activity continues to test our own region as the season deepens.

I share this not simply as news, but as a reminder that hits close to home for every member of this chapter. As architects, we are in the business of permanence. We design buildings meant to stand for generations, to shelter families, to house businesses, to anchor communities. But recent events are a sobering reminder that permanence is never guaranteed. Fire, earthquake, flood, and wind do not respect construction drawings or property lines. The built environment we create is resilient, but it is not indestructible. Nature will always have the final word.

This is precisely why our work matters so much, and why the codes we design within are not bureaucratic obstacles, but life-saving tools. Building codes exist because we have learned, often at great cost, what happens when structures fail to account for the forces around them. Every requirement for defensible space, fire-rated assemblies, egress width, or structural bracing represents a lesson paid for in real loss. When we push back against a code requirement or treat it as a checkbox to clear rather than a principle to honor, we risk forgetting exactly why it exists in the first place.

That is also the heart of the California Architects Practice Act. Its primary objective is not aesthetics, and it is not efficiency. It is the health, safety, and welfare of the people who will occupy the spaces we design. Everything else we do as architects, every creative decision, every material choice, every negotiation with a client or a contractor, sits downstream of that obligation. When wildfires like these sweep through a region, we are reminded in the starkest possible terms what that obligation actually means. It means the difference between a family making it out safely and a tragedy. It means the difference between a community that can be rebuilt and one that cannot.

Rebuilding is exactly what many of our neighbors to the north will now have to do. Behind every acre burned and every structure lost is a family, a business owner, a community facing months or years of recovery. That road is long, and it is not one anyone should walk alone.

I want our chapter to be part of the answer. I am reaching out directly to AIA Washington to learn which local firms in the affected communities could use technical support in the months ahead, and to offer our chapter's assistance, whether that means extra hands on a project, code and permitting expertise, or simply a colleague to call when the workload of rebuilding becomes overwhelming. I am also reaching out to AIA National in Washington, D.C., to learn how our chapter can plug into broader disaster response and rebuilding efforts already underway. I am asking our membership to consider the same. Whether that means volunteering technical expertise to a firm in an affected area, participating in a disaster assistance program, or simply making yourself available to colleagues who may need guidance navigating code compliance, permitting, or design in a post-disaster context, your knowledge is a resource that communities in crisis genuinely need. If you are interested in contributing your time or expertise, please reach out to the chapter office so we can connect you with the right effort.

We do not design buildings because we believe they will last forever. We design them because, for as long as they stand, they protect the people inside. That is our responsibility, and it does not end when the fire is contained. It continues through every year of recovery that follows.

Stay safe, look out for one another, and let's put our skills to work where they are needed most.

David Higginson, AIA
President
AIA Inland California Chapter

Finding Inspiration in San Diego

July 2026

Fellow AIA Inland California Members,

As architects, we're always looking ahead—to the next project, the next challenge, the next opportunity to make our communities better. But every so often, it's important to step away from our daily routines and reconnect with the larger profession. That's exactly what this year's AIA Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego offered.

Walking into the conference, I was immediately reminded that architecture is as much about people as it is about buildings. Thousands of architects from across the country gathered to share ideas, celebrate achievements, debate the future of our profession, and learn from one another. Whether it was a keynote presentation, a conversation on the expo floor, or an impromptu discussion over coffee, there was an unmistakable sense of optimism about where architecture is headed.

Several themes surfaced throughout the week. Artificial intelligence continues to dominate conversations, but not in the way many expected. Rather than replacing architects, the discussion has shifted toward how AI can help us work more efficiently, freeing us to spend more time doing what we do best—solving problems creatively, collaborating with our clients, and designing places that enrich people's lives.

Sustainability also remains front and center, but the conversation has matured. It's no longer just about energy performance. Architects are increasingly thinking about resilience, adaptive reuse, material selection, and designing buildings that can evolve with the communities they serve. Those discussions resonated with me because they're the same conversations we're having here in Inland California.

One of my favorite parts of any national conference is simply exploring the host city. San Diego is a place where history and innovation comfortably coexist. From the timeless beauty of Balboa Park and its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture to the vibrant waterfront and contemporary skyline, the city tells a story of continual reinvention while honoring its past. As I walked through the Gaslamp Quarter and along the Embarcadero, I was reminded that great cities don't happen by accident—they're shaped over generations by thoughtful planning, investment, and a commitment to good design.

Holding the conference on San Diego's waterfront was fitting. The Convention Center itself serves as a reminder of how architecture can connect people to a place. The relationship between the city, the bay, and its public spaces reflects the kind of urban design we all strive to create—spaces that are functional, welcoming, and memorable.

While it's inspiring to see award-winning projects from around the world, I came home thinking about our own chapter. The challenges we face—housing, education, healthcare, resilient communities, and responsible growth—are every bit as important as those discussed on the national stage. Our members are designing schools where children will learn, hospitals where families will find hope, civic buildings that strengthen our communities, and workplaces that support local economies. The work happening throughout Inland California matters, and it deserves to be celebrated.

As Chapter President, I left San Diego with renewed appreciation for the strength of our profession and the value of staying connected. Conferences like this remind us that while each of us practices in our own corner of California, we're part of something much larger. We share a responsibility to advocate for good design, mentor emerging professionals, and continue elevating the public's understanding of architecture.

I encourage you to stay involved with our chapter over the coming months. Attend an event, volunteer for a committee, mentor a student, or simply introduce yourself to someone new at our next gathering. The ideas that shape the future of architecture don't begin at national conferences—they begin with conversations among colleagues who care deeply about their communities.

Thank you for everything you do to advance our profession. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming chapter events as we continue building a stronger AIA Inland California together.

David Higginson, AIA
President
AIA Inland California Chapter

Protecting the Integrity of Our Profession

June 2026

Fellow AIA Inland California Members,

One of the most important responsibilities we share as licensed architects is safeguarding the integrity of our profession and the public trust placed in our work. Today, I would like to bring attention to an issue that directly affects architects throughout California and has the potential to impact every licensed design professional.

Approximately one year ago, I was contacted by a client seeking assistance with plan check corrections for a tenant improvement project. The client had previously hired an online service provider to prepare project drawings. During the course of reviewing the documents, I discovered that my professional seal and signature had been fraudulently affixed to plans submitted for permit review—without my knowledge, authorization, or involvement.

The client had been led to believe that I had approved and sealed the documents. The use of my license and seal was entirely unauthorized and constituted a direct violation of California law and the standards that govern our profession.

Addressing the situation required significant time and effort. I worked with the client to correct the permit documents, notified the local jurisdiction of the fraudulent submission, and issued a cease-and-desist notice to the service provider responsible. Because the individual involved was operating outside the United States, meaningful legal remedies were limited, and there was no practical way to determine whether similar misuse had occurred on other projects.

 While this experience was personally concerning, it also exposed a broader challenge facing architects and engineers throughout the state. In many jurisdictions, there are limited mechanisms for verifying the authenticity of professional licenses, seals, and signatures attached to submitted plans. As technology and remote services continue to expand, opportunities for fraudulent activity increase, creating risks for licensed professionals, permitting agencies, clients, and the public.

In response, I began discussions with the office of California State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh to explore potential legislative solutions that would strengthen protections for licensed design professionals and improve verification procedures for permit submissions. The goal is straightforward: to ensure that professional licenses, seals, and signatures cannot be misused without accountability while reinforcing public confidence in the architectural profession and the regulatory systems that protect public health, safety, and welfare.

I am encouraged that this issue has gained the attention of key organizations throughout California. Both AIA California and the California Architects Board have expressed support for efforts to address the unauthorized use of professional licenses and seals. In addition, these organizations are working to develop educational webinars and resources to help architects better understand the risks associated with seal and signature fraud, identify preventative measures, and navigate appropriate reporting procedures when violations occur.

The growing recognition of this issue underscores that it is not an isolated incident. Rather, it represents a challenge that affects our entire profession and requires a coordinated response from architects, regulators, permitting agencies, and professional organizations alike.

As this effort moves forward, the AIAIC Board of Directors and I remain committed to advocating for meaningful legislative action and working alongside industry leaders across California. I encourage each of you to stay engaged, remain informed, and take advantage of the educational opportunities being developed around this important issue. Together, by sharing our experiences and supporting efforts that strengthen professional safeguards, we can protect the integrity of our licenses, uphold public trust, and preserve the standards that define our profession.

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence, public service, and the advancement of architecture throughout Inland California and beyond.

David Higginson, AIA
President
AIA Inland California Chapter

Architecture's Future is Human

April 2026

Hello AIAIC Members,

I recently attended the EPIC event at Topgolf, generously sponsored by several outstanding allied professionals. While the event provided a great opportunity for networking and fellowship within our industry, what stood out most to me was the time I spent speaking with many emerging professionals who are currently navigating their paths toward licensure.

One of the clearest takeaways from those conversations was the need for seasoned and experienced architects to step forward as mentors. Many of these individuals are eager to learn, grow, and ultimately become licensed architects, but they are looking for guidance from those who have already walked that path.

Encouraging licensure and sharing real-world experience is one of the most valuable contributions we can make to the future of our profession. By investing time in mentoring emerging professionals, we help ensure that the next generation of architects not only achieves licensure, but also understands the responsibility, leadership, and stewardship that come with the title of “Architect.”

Interestingly, the United States actually has fewer architects per capita today than it did in the 1980s — a trend that has significant implications for the future of the profession and the growth of architectural firms.

The profession is currently entering a generational transition period where experienced architects are retiring faster than new architects are becoming licensed. Many industry observers believe this could lead to a shortage of licensed architects in the coming years, particularly in specialized sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

At the same time, the next generation of architects is uniquely equipped to implement new and creative approaches to practice, particularly through emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

I believe most of us have already used AI in some form within our professional work. AI is beginning to influence many aspects of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. However, most professional organizations—including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)—agree that AI will transform architectural practice, but it will not replace licensed architects. Instead, it will likely augment and accelerate parts of the profession while leaving core professional responsibilities firmly in the hands of licensed professionals.

From my observations and research, AI will likely influence architecture in several ways.

AI tools are increasingly capable of assisting with repetitive and analytical tasks such as generative design options, rapid floor plan development, code-checking assistance, energy modeling simulations, construction documentation automation, and rendering or visualization. As a result, architects may spend less time drafting and modeling and more time focusing on design decision making, coordination, and client strategy.

AI can also dramatically improve speed and efficiency by evaluating thousands of design possibilities based on constraints such as zoning regulations, site conditions, daylighting analysis, energy performance, and cost optimization. Generative design algorithms can test hundreds—or even thousands—of layouts within minutes, allowing architects to make more informed design decisions earlier in the process.

However, architecture is not simply about producing drawings. It involves professional responsibility and judgment. Licensed architects must maintain responsible control of design, ensure life-safety compliance, interpret building codes, coordinate multiple disciplines, manage professional liability, advocate for clients, and oversee construction administration. These responsibilities are defined in statutes such as the California Architects Practice Act and similar regulatory frameworks across the country.

AI cannot legally assume professional liability, design responsibility, contract administration, or accountability for public safety. Even if AI were capable of producing a complete design package, a licensed architect must still review the work, assume responsible control, and apply their professional seal before documents can be submitted for permitting.

Architecture also involves many human-centered elements that technology cannot easily replicate, including cultural context, the emotional experience of space, aesthetic judgment, stakeholder collaboration, community engagement, and the translation of a client’s vision into a built environment. Architecture remains fundamentally a creative and social profession—not purely a technical one.

That said, AI will likely have a strong impact in areas such as early concept design, building analysis, code compliance assistance, documentation production, and visualization. These tools may help architects work more efficiently while improving design insight and performance analysis.

Most experts predict that AI will ultimately function as a “design co-pilot.” Rather than replacing architects, AI will reduce drafting time, automate repetitive documentation tasks, provide faster design analysis, and allow architects to focus more on higher-value aspects of the profession.

This technological transition is not unlike previous shifts in our profession. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) replaced hand drafting in the 1980s, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) transformed documentation in the 2000s. Each technological advancement changed how architects work, but none eliminated the profession.

The key takeaway is that AI will likely transform architectural workflows, but it cannot replace licensed architects because the profession requires professional responsibility, legal accountability, human-centered design judgment, coordination, and leadership.

The architects who will thrive in the future are those who learn to leverage AI as a tool rather than compete with it.

Ultimately, our profession needs future leaders who can embrace new technologies while maintaining a strong connection to the traditions and responsibilities of architecture. Too often we forget that along our own professional journey, someone took the time to encourage us, guide us, and teach us what it truly means to be an architect.

Becoming an architect is about far more than academic achievement or certifications. While education and licensure are essential, real-world experience and mentorship play an equally important role in shaping the professional judgment, responsibility, and leadership that the title “Architect” demands.

I encourage each of you this week to reach out to those who are currently pursuing licensure. Offer guidance, share your experience, and take the time to mentor them. Our role is not simply to sign off on AXP hours, but to help candidates understand the deeper responsibility that comes with the privilege of bearing the title of a licensed architect.

Through mentorship, we strengthen not only the next generation of professionals, but the future of our profession itself.

This is a topic that truly benefits from open discussion, and I welcome everyone’s feedback. I encourage you to share your opinions, comments, rebuttals, and insights so that we can continue to strengthen our Chapter and the profession we represent.

As always, it is an honor to serve and represent the Chapter. I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside all of you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on how I can continue to better lead and support our membership in 2026.

David Higginson, AIA
President
AIA Inland California Chapter