Committees & Knowledge Communities

The Architect Licensing Advisory Committee’s task is to remain up to date on current requirements for becoming licensed in the state of Minnesota and to assist Associate members complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP, formerly known as IDP) and prepare for taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). 

Co-chairs:  Evan Hall, AIA and Olivia Sprosty, Assoc. AIA

Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: First or second Wednesday of every other month from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

The Architecture in the Schools Committee works to create ties to the K-12 education community, brings architectural ideas and concepts into the classroom, and develops educational materials.

Co-Chairs: 
Kelly Martinez AIA, CID, LEED AP BD+C and
Travis Wiegand, AIA, NCARB, CID
Staff liaison: Mary-Margaret Zindren, CAE
Meeting date: Second Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m.

Do you want to know what’s happening with codes, have an impact in shaping code changes, or help to promote the statewide enforcement of codes? This knowledge community provides a great opportunity to do just that.

Co-chairs: David Selinsky, AIA
Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: Second Wednesday of the month at 12:00 pm

Award-winning architecture, architects, and collaborative efforts are the focus of this committee. Juries are selected, criteria is evaluated, and talent is recognized through Honor Awards, Collaborative Achievement Awards, Young Architects Award, Next Gen Award, 25 Year Award, Louis Lundgren Award for Service, Gold Medal, Firm Award, and the Affordable Housing Design Award.

Co-chairs: Doug Bergert, AIA and Scott Schlotthauer, AIA
Co-chair elect: Michael Friebele, Assoc. AIA
Staff liaison: Chris Hudson 
Meeting date: Second Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm on Zoom

The Committee on the Environment (COTE) works to advance, disseminate, and advocate — to the profession, the building industry, the academy, and the public — design practices that integrate built and natural systems and enhance both the design quality and environmental performance of the built environment. COTE serves as the community for and voice on behalf of AIA architects regarding sustainable design and building science and performance.

Co-chairs: Laura Eder, AIA and Chayna Claeys, AIA
Co-chair elect: Kyjuann Cager, Assoc. AIA
Staff liaison: Sheri Hansen, and Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: Second Friday of the month from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (virtual)

This committee focuses on diversity, inclusion, and equity, particularly emphasizing issues related to equity in the built environment.

Co-chairs: Rebecca Staley, AIA, and Isaac Karley, AIA 
Staff liaisons: Mary-Margaret Zindren
Meeting date: Third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 am

AIA Minnesota’s mission for continuing education is to produce high-quality, affordable programs offered regularly throughout the year. Topics are selected and developed by architects in order to address timely issues and to meet the diverse needs of our members. This task is accomplished through our Conference Continuing Education Committee.

Co-chairs: Madelyn Sundberg, AIA and Dantès Ha, AIA
Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN

The Council of Firms Knowledge Community provides a forum for firm owners and principals to advance the profession and their own practices through collegial sharing of ideas, knowledge, and best practices. The hour-and-a-half discussions generally focus on a particular challenge for architecture firms and are sometimes sparked by a presentation by an industry partner or other special guest.

Co-chairs: Nicole Washburn, AIA
Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: Second Monday of the month, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

The Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) provides an open forum for architecture professionals at the early stages of their careers to engage and connect through networking, leadership, and professional development. It also actively reaches out to architecture students in the state.

Chair: Nathan Anderson, AIA and Nicole Kiel, AIA
Staff liaison: Mary-Margaret Zindren and Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: Quarterly (January, April, July, October) on the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 pm

The ENTER Committee meets monthly to assist the editor in identifying content for upcoming issues, planning publication-sponsored events, and brainstorming ways to promote ENTER and grow its digital and print circulation. The group is composed mostly of AIA members, but it also includes a few landscape architects and marketing specialists.

Co-chair: Evan Hall, AIA
Staff liaison: Chris Hudson
Meeting date: Fourth Friday of even-numbered months, February thru October, at 12:00 pm on Zoom

American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architectural profession and the resource for its members in service to society. AIA Minnesota is the voice of the architecture profession dedicated to: serving its members; advancing their value; and improving the quality of the built environment

Co-chairs:  Matt Johnson, AIA and Corey Mollet, AIA
Co-Chair elect: Michael Nelson, AIA
Staff liaison: Mary-Margaret Zindren, CAE and Sheri Hansen
Meeting date: Third Tuesday of the month at 12:00 pm (virtual)

The goal of this knowledge community is to provide a network of individuals engaged in healthcare design for the purpose of sharing knowledge, and to establish a regional presence for the Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH).

Co-chairs:  To be announced soon
Staff Liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: TBD

The Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) addresses affordable housing and homelessness in the state of Minnesota. Architects can play a key role in resolving these social problems by joining this committee. They may also assist in planning and participating in our annual Search for Shelter Design charrette, held each February, to benefit local housing agencies, along with other committee activities.

Co-chairs: Mike Nickerson, AIA and Molly Dalsin, AIA
Staff liaison: Sheri Hansen
Meeting date: First Wednesday of the month at 12:00 pm (virtual)

The Lake Superior Design Retreat (LSDR) is an annual winter weekend design conference in Duluth, MN. Architects and others interested in design gather together at Fitger’s Inn to explore the corners of design with six invited design professionals who share their passion for their art and/or craft and discuss their creative stories.

Chair:  Jessie Bauldry, AIA and Cole Strombeck, AIA
Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIA MN and Ann Mayhew
Meeting date: Third Monday of the month at 11:30 am

The Leadership Forum Committee’s task is to develop an annual six-session forum for a small group of mid-career member architects. The goal is to focus on strengthening their leadership skills in the areas of communication, ethics, motivation, community outreach, and mentorship.

Co-Chairs: Constance Chen, AIA and Claire Lonsbury, AIA
Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: Meetings scheduled as needed

Make a difference in rural Minnesota communities by volunteering with the Minnesota Design Team (MDT), which organizes multidisciplinary teams to visit small towns in the state of Minnesota. MDT researches the community’s needs and recruits a variety of design professionals to assist the town in improving their built environment.

Co-chairs: Richard Baker, Allied Member of AIA Minnesota and Amber Egofske, AIA
Co-chair elect: DeeDee LeMier, Allied Member of AIA Minnesota
Staff liaison: Amber Allardyce, CAE, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: Third Wednesday of the month at 4:30 pm

A member of the AIA CRAN (Custom Residential Architects Network) Knowledge Community, this group of architects, designers, and Allied members host events to discuss unique issues related to custom residential practice and facilitate an exchange of ideas and resources that affect the residential practitioners. This committee is also involved in organizing public outreach opportunities, including Home of the Month with the Star Tribune and the Homes by Architects Tour.

Co-chairs: Meghan Kell, AIA and John Maternoski, AIA
Co-chair elect: Katie Loecken, AIA
Staff liaison: Ann Mayhew
Meeting date: First Tuesday of the month at 12:00 pm

This KC is currently on hiatus.
The Technology in Architecture Practice Knowledge Community meets to discuss the impact of technology on the architectural profession with a cross-disciplinary mix of architects, contractors, educators, lawyers, and manufacturers.

Co-chairs: To be announced soon
Staff liaison: Deanna Christiansen, Hon. AIAMN
Meeting date: TBD

This new committee, started in 2014, has formed to promote a strong future for the architecture profession by advocating for women in architecture through recognition, networking, professional development, and mentorship.

Co-chairs: Katie Merten, Assoc. AIA  and Angela Varpness, AIA
Staff liaison: Sheri Hansen
Meeting date: Third Wednesday of the month at 12:00 pm (virtual)