Remembering the past‪.‬

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Louisiana chapter, the Board of Directors has created this iBook which celebrates the rich history of the association. Since 1943, our organization has grown from a membership of a few dozen to more than 1,200 statewide. Besides serving as a platform and educational resource for member architects, AIA Louisiana has played a key role in improving Louisiana’s public policy and procedures relating to the design profession. 


For example, in 1966, almost 25 years before President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), AIA Louisiana worked with lawmakers to introduce such legislation on the state level. As a result, Louisiana became one of the first states to enact a law requiring design for handicap accessibility. 


Later, during a time when the distribution of state design projects was increasingly politically-motivated, AIA Louisiana worked diligently under three governors to create the fair and impartial Louisiana Architects Selection Board. This board ensures that the selection of architectural firms for state-funded projects is based solely on qualifications. 


As we look to the future, AIA Louisiana remains committed to providing our members with the right tools to make our state a better place: be it through educational resources that encourage design excellence, or through collaborative efforts that have a positive impact on the design projects and the communities in which they are built.