American Institute of Architecture Students

Specialties

The AIAS is an independent, 501c3 non-​profit and student-​run organization that is more than just a club. This grassroots association is a cooperative between thousands of students in North America (of all ages and academic degrees) committed to helping each other. It provides a sense of community and a forum to share differing views. The AIAS is also a professional organization that is the official voice of architecture students.

History

Established in 1956.

In 1956, architecture students established a continuing presence with the formation of NASA. Chapters are established at all of the schools of architecture and a regional governance network is formed by the students at the first Student Forum. The students also elect Jim Barry as the first president. Having accomplished the task of organizing a disparate array of local student activities into a collective voice, these ambitious students of NASA plant the seed for the nationally organized student voice from which we benefit from today.

After several years of continued prosperity, the ASC/​AIA arrives at a critical phase. The growth of the organization is beginning to outweigh the abilities and skills of two architecture students (the national officers). In 1984, President Tom Fowler accepts the recommendations of the Special Task Force organized to review the structure of the organization. The organization was renamed The American Institute of Architecture Students.