Curiosity
by Jennifer Christiaansen, AIA, AIA Minnesota President
Our theme this month is curiosity—which lies at the heart of our creative profession.
As architects, we must continually learn and grow—not just to fulfill CEUs, but to ensure that we are adapting and leading, delivering safe, sustainable, enduring, and beautiful buildings for our communities. What better way to expand our knowledge than by sharing best practices and innovations with one another in person? I encourage you to join us at the AIA Minnesota Conference on Architecture, November 3–5. This annual gathering is our opportunity to be curious; we will collectively learn from the brightest thinkers, emerging leaders, and connect with colleagues and friends. You can register through this link »
I also invite you to consider another dimension of curiosity as architects: civic curiosity. I believe it is our responsibility to understand our civic process and find time to engage with downtown councils, community boards, and other civic venues, which allows us to learn & apply our expertise outside of traditional project constraints, and in service as volunteer leaders. Our communities are changing rapidly, and they require architect-led design and systems thinking rooted in equity, sustainability, and wellbeing. As we look toward 2026, I encourage each of you to volunteer time and consider the role of citizen architect—to see where your curiosity, skills and talents can positively shape the future of your own community.