Below is a current list of active committees of the Columbus Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Committee membership is a great way to get involved in the Chapter and to meet fellow design-industry professionals who share your interests. Anyone interested in participating in a committee, or who would like additional information, should contact Gwen Berlekamp, Executive Director, at (614) 469-1973 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Committee meeting times are listed on the AIA Columbus Chapter Calendar. 

KNOWLEDGE COMMITTEES

Committee on the Environment (COTE):
The objective of the Committee on the Environment is to promote a sustainable environment by creating an educational resource for members of AIA Columbus and the public; advocacy groups as more specific examples of public and architect groups to educate about sustainable design.

Continuing Education Committee:
The objective of the Continuing Education Committee is to provide educational/professional development opportunities is to provide educational/professional development opportunities to Chapter members through seminars, lectures and workshops. Six to eight 2-hour seminars are held annually before the monthly chapter meetings. Additionally, the committee, often in conjunction with related professional associations (CSI, BX, etc.) coordinates other full and partial-day seminars. By attending these seminars, Chapter members may earn sufficient Learning Units (LUs) toward satisfying the requirements of AIA/CES and various state boards of Architecture. Committee member responsibilities include planning and executing the seminars and events.

Healthcare:
The Healthcare Committee examines issues of importance to area architects and firms that have an interest in the design of healthcare facilities and healthcare construction.

Small Project Practitioners' Forum:
The objective of the Small Project Practitioner's Forum is to provide an opportunity and alternative resources for sole practitioners and small firm principals to discuss relative issues in the practice of architecture via round-table discussions and presentations by invited guests; to promote quality architecture and the benefits of quality architecture on small and non-traditional projects to the general public.

Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP):
The AIA Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) Knowledge Community serves as a resource for AIA members, the profession, and the public in the deployment of computer technology in the practice of architecture. TAP monitors the development of computer technology and its impact on architecture practice and the entire building life cycle, including design, construction, facility management, and retirement or reuse.

ADVOCACY

Architectural Awareness:
The Architectural Awareness Committee works to foster an understanding in the general public of what AIA Architects do and how they can add value to a project by collaborating with associated organizations to address common issues and supporting public outreach by all AIA Architects. Additionally, this committee works to promote positive media exposure for the Chapter and the profession of architecture.

Committee on Design:
The Columbus Committee on Design aims to identify, promote, and celebrate the art of building design through a strategic engagement of professionals within our discipline, colleagues parallel to our discipline, and the public for whom we serve. In this pursuit, the Committee on Design strives to bring to light potentials of contemporary methodologies, techniques, and practices for our profession.

Government Awareness:
The objective of the Government Awareness Committee is to identify and monitor issues relevant to the built environment and establish relationships with business, city and industry leaders. The PAC committee should identify and ally with political leaders who are sympathetic to the Architect's role in the built environment. The committee also raises money for various political entities. The committee maintains a device for contacting chapter members and suggests a plan of action as the need arises during the political process.

EDUCATION COMMITTEES

High School Design:
High School Design is an outreach and education effort aimed at grades 9-12. The intent of the program is to introduce design as a profession through projects, presentation and interaction with local professionals. 2010 is intended as a year for exploration and experimentation with a focus on increasing diversity and accessibility of the design professions. We are looking for people who are excited about design and design education to help shape the future of the High School Design program. We seek new voices, new ideas, and new ways of reaching out. All are welcome. Please join us if you are interested in helping to cultivate the next generation of designers. For more information about High School Design, please contact the committee chairs, Nina Thomson, Assoc. AIA ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Jim Garrison, AIA ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). 

Mentoring Committee:
The objective of the OSU Mentor/AIAS Committee is to enhance the relationship between the OSU Knowlton School of Architecture Student Chapter and AIA Columbus. Participants include student chapter members and registered architects interested in mentoring relationships. The purpose is to match students and practitioners in one-to-one or small group relationships. Activities include an annual kick-off event, ongoing mentor/student opportunities, and an annual evaluation event. The committee works with Student Chapter(s) to coordinate these annual events. The Committee also coordinates with the IDP Committee.

Intern Development Program (IDP):
The Intern Development Program Committee contributes to the development of interns through the IDP. The committee locates interns, recent graduates and architectural firms and distributes information to them to increase the basic understanding of IDP and encourages participation in the program, while strengthening the presence of AIA.

Project Architecture:
The mission of the Project Architecture Committee is to partner with educators to enhance education of K-8 students by:

• creating awareness of the built environment
• embracing architecture and the natural environment
• making the classroom knowledge come alive through architecture
• forming an appreciation of architecture within students and an understanding of its importance to our culture/community.

COMMUNITY

Gala:
The objective of the Gala is to encourage interaction and fellowship among architects, spouses, clients, consultants, government officials, members of the public and general contractors in a formal, architecturally and visually stimulating environment. This end-of-the-year celebration of architecture and design in Columbus is the forum for interaction with the public, media and related professions. 

Golf Outing:
The Golf Outing promotes interaction between the architectural profession, allied professionals, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers. Money raised through sponsorship of the AIA Columbus Golf Outing supports the AIA Columbus Associateship Scholarship for a graduate student at The Knowlton School of Architecture, as well as another student at Columbus State Community College.