AIA Presidents Speak for the Principle of Interope

Washington, D.C., November 1, 2006 — The International Presidents’ Forum is a meeting held each year during The American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention since 2002 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approximately a dozen presidents of national, regional or international architects associations attend the AIA convention, along with other officers and members of these associations. The International Presidents’ Forum was created to allow an opportunity for informal, broad-reaching consultation and information sharing among the leaders of the international architecture community. This meeting allows not only the AIA President to spend time individually with visiting international leaders, but for the leaders to spend together in a multi-lateral discussion. It was clear that the presidents attending the Forum in Los Angeles shared many concerns; their agenda included discussions of 1) sustainability, and follow-up to the 2005 Las Vegas Declaration; 2) continuing professional development; and 3) Integrated Practice, Building Information Modeling and Interoperability. Continuing the model developed last year, the presidents used the opportunity offered by this gathering to speak with one voice to the global architecture community on one of these issues. David Parken, LFRAIA, Hon. AIA, CEO of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, drafted the following statement that was agreed to by all the presidents. Los Angeles Declaration We the undersigned, Presidents of our respective national architectural institutes, recognize the transformation that is occurring in the design and construction industry and the new models of architectural practice that are emerging. Responses to the well-documented waste and inefficiencies of the construction industry, owner demand for increased productivity and cost-control, and the technological evolution, are all converging to move the profession toward revolutionary models of cross-disciplinary collaborative methods of project delivery, using new forms of information technology. We support the development of collaborative practice and business models that will enhance the role and the creativity of the architect. We are committed to interoperability, based on open, non-proprietary international standards, as the key to maximum exploitation of software applications which will allow us to attain the goals of sustainability, wise use of resources and environmental stewardship expressed in the 2005 Las Vegas Declaration. Kate Schwennsen, FAIA President, The American Institute of Architects RK Stewart, FAIA First Vice President, The American Institute of Architects Douglas L Steidl, FAIA 2005 President, The American Institute of Architects Yolanda D. Reyes Chairman, Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA) José Manuel Reachi Mora Federacion de Colegios de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana (FCARM) Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA President, Panamerican Federation of Architects Associations (FPAA) Francisco Méndez Ugalde President, Costa Rica Institute of Architects (CACR) Mitsuru Senda President, Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) Yong Byun President, Korean Institute of Architects (KIA) Yael Kinsky, AIA President, The Israeli Association of Independent Architects (IAIA) Carey Lyon, FRAIA President, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Vivian Manasc, FRAIC President, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Endorsed by: H. Carleton Godsey, Jr., FAIA President, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) C. William Bevins, FAIA President, National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Stephen Schreiber, FAIA President, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Jordi Farrando, Secretary General, UIA Donald J. Hackl, FAIA, UIA Treasurer

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