A lot has happened this year, though a lot more was planned, but unfortunately as the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, our plans were cut short.
Two conferences were planned. The Porto Spring conference was finalized and the registration ready to open, but as the pandemic spread, the Board had to take the difficult decision to postpone it. The same fate followed the Cork Fall conference.
However, as most organizations did, we shifted to online activities. We took part in the AIA IR Virtual Conference, we also held the online Board Meeting, as well as a very successful and productive online Chapter Meeting, for the first time in the history of our chapter.
The AIACE contributed several sessions to the AIA IR Virtual Conference. These included:
A very interesting panel discussion with representatives of European Architectural Organizations, including the ACE president, BAK, CNOA and CSCAE Vice-Presidents, as well as the UIA President.
Another fascinating session focused on what the three most recent special reports of the IPCC have to say about the new urban future.
Three other sessions included very rich content.
The Honorary Fellows Keynote, moderated on behalf of IR, featured Jan Gehl lecturing on cities for people.
This month’s focus from the AIA Continental Europe Chapter is ongoing support for young architects, in particular those who seek to pursue the ARE exams for US licensure, as well as European career opportunities.
It is not easy starting out as an architect, especially in our modern times. This is a generation that is facing many challenges, from drastic climate change to social, economical, and humanitarian issues. And as a result of these global challenges, architects have become equally responsible for finding solutions and adapting quickly.
However, there seems to be a silver lining. The online platform Archdaily has published selected works that were submitted in lieu of a Best Young Practices of 2020, by young firms and architects. Without any exception, all of the young practice submissions exposed a future that lies in the hands of brilliant innovators, who are finding novel and interdisciplinary solutions to questions about the future of architecture and design.
Recently, an article featuring the AIA Continental Europe Chapter was published in the Young Architect's Forum publication Connection, written by one of our Emerging Professionals, Michelle Montgomery. AIA Continental Europe brings opportunities to young architects: One of the AIA Continental Europe Chapter’s goals is to share knowledge and promote an open exchange between international architects and students, crossing generational and cultural boundaries. The Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) focuses on showcasing young members’ work. Behind the EPC is a dynamic pair of Barcelona-based co-chairs, Adrià Sanchez-Llorens and Jaume Pla Liñan, who were introduced to the chapter as students.
