The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Office of Diversity Excellence recently announced that it has selected the Buffalo/WNY Architecture + Education Program and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Louisiana’s Project Pipeline as the 2013 honorees of the AIA Diversity Recognition Program. Now in its fifth year, the Diversity Recognition program recognizes architects, local AIA components, educational institutions, and organizations that are actively committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within the architecture profession.
The Buffalo/WNY Architecture + Education Program was founded to increase awareness and appreciation of the built environment and local communities, and to use architecture as a multidisciplinary form of active learning. The program brings local architects and teachers together to teach standard New York State curriculum through architectural principles. The program is offered to inner-city children in the Buffalo Public School System.
NOMA Louisiana’s Project Pipeline program was designed in the spirit of providing continued mentorship throughout the growth of an aspiring architect’s career. Project Pipeline encourages individuals from high school students to firm principals to participate in its tiered program as both mentors and mentees. At the high school level, Project Pipeline has two phases: a summer Architecture and Design Camp for New Orleans high school students and an intensive workshop series held during the school year.
The honorees will be celebrated during the 2013 AIA National Convention and Design Exhibition in June, in Denver. They will be presented with awards at EV407 Honoring Multicultural Fellows and Diversity Award Honorees: Diversity Council Closing Reception and After-Party on Saturday, June 22, and their submissions will be exhibited in the convention center. All 2013 submissions will be available for viewing at the AIA’s Diversity and Inclusion web page in May: www.aia.org/diversity.
