An AIA vice president?s letter set off a firestorm of criticism, and many hope, a renewed focus on values The executive vice president of the American Institute of Architects, Robert Ivy, is in damage control mode after releasing a post-election message that said, among others things, that ?the AIA and its 89,000 members are committed to working with President-elect Trump to address the issues our country faces, particularly strengthening the nation?s aging infrastructure.? The backlash has been swift?from AIA members, press, non-member architects, and professional design critics alike?pointing out that Ivy?s speedy call for collaboration is tone-deaf and not representative of AIA?s organizational values.
The editorial board of The Architect?s Newspaper took a firm stance, citing the fact that Donald Trump?s campaign was ?relatively anemic in terms of specific, actionable policy proposals and objectives,? so Ivy?s assumption that ?infrastructure? includes ?investments in schools, hospitals, and other public infrastructure? is ?purely hallucinogenic and wishful thinking.? Likewise, Latent Design started the Twitter hashtag #NotMyAIA, which is currently populated with anger over the president-elect?s campaign platform, projected Cabinet appointments, and proposed plan to build a wall along the Mexican?U.S. border.
Ivy released a follow-up statement, as well as a video apology earlier today, expressing that his original statement doesn?t represent the group?s values. A...