The American Institute of Architects, on all levels, continues to provide leadership and advocacy for our professional lives as architects.


Message from 2011
President Mike Chapman, AIA, Chapman Sisson Architects, Huntsville, AL

Maintaining and establishing long term business relationships are important, especially in the current economic downturn. The Alabama Council has partnered with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama for the 2nd year at our annual convention this summer. This event has been a great success building a strong synergy of ideas and collaboration as we navigate through this building climate. We hope to continue and improve our partnership with the ABC in the years to come.

The American Institute of Architects, on all levels, continues to provide leadership and advocacy for our professional lives as architects. I know that there are some, especially in these difficult economic times, struggle with the justification of supporting the Institute. Here are just a few reasons why we continue our support:

1. A task force has been meeting across the state to provide sound logic to making needed changes to the (1974) State Building Commission Fee Schedule. Stay tuned for updates and progress as this group continues to find an update that is fair to all parties. Gary Greenshields is to be commended for his hard work in leading this group over the last several years.

2. Most everyone was affected in some way with the tornados that ravaged Alabama last April. The AIA has been busy developing Disaster Recovery efforts across the state. Butch Grimes, as our state coordinator, has been successful in developing recovery plans with newly appointed regional coordinators across the state. There are many architects in the state who are now certified for rapid assessment evaluations for damaged buildings. These efforts have proven great benefits to our local EMA directors as well as building officials.

3. The state AIA was also instrumental in getting the Good Samaritan Bill passed into law. This law allows architects to assist in disaster relief without assuming the liabilities normally associated with the services donated.

4. Your State AIA has been working for many years to modify the current Statute of Repose Bill. Earlier this spring, the bill passed, which reduces the Alabama Statute of Repose for architects, engineers and contractors from 13 years to 7 years. Whether you are a member or not, this legislation will affect every architect in the state. We appreciate the efforts of those who have worked tirelessly on this passage, including Larry Vinson, Jamie Aycock, and Don Brown.

While we celebrate our past accomplishments, the AIA is also looking ahead to the changing economic, environmental, and social conditions that are ahead of us. Architects are uniquely trained to synthesize information, facilitate complex teamwork, and guide solutions to make Alabama a better place to live, work, and play. Alabama is fortunate to have such a large group of concerned architects working toward a common goal. This type of leadership will continue to improve our profession as well as the built environment around us. A big ‘thank you’ goes out to all of you who are a part of this process.