American Institute of Architecture Students

NEWS ALERT
For Immediate Release

Contact: Kevin Mulvaney, Director of Advancement

T 202.626.2564
E kmulvaney@aias.org

Students Take the Lead

Shine Light on the Architecture Situation in the Region

Atlanta, Georgia (February 25, 2009) — Hundreds of design students from architecture schools across the
southeast will meet in Atlanta next week for South Quad 2009: SEE. SPEAK. DESIGN. The event, the annual
spring regional meeting of the American Institute of Architecture Students, is co-hosted by the local AIAS
chapters at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Southern Polytechnic State University.

South Quad 2009 begins Thursday March 5, 2009 with a keynote speech by award-winning architect Richard
Meier. Meier, best known in Atlanta for his work on the High Museum of Art, will speak to students and local
professionals on the topic of Light in Architecture and join students for a reception at the High Museum
thereafter. The remainder of the conference will focus on issues and opportunities relevant to the design
leaders of the future, especially as graduates prepare to enter an unfriendly job market for architects, one hurt
dramatically by the housing crisis and decreases in lending and commercial construction.

The lecture is not the only activity of the evening. The occasion also offers an opportunity to celebrate. 2009
marks the fifth anniversary of Freedom By Design™ a program of which students from SPSU are at strong
leaders. In association with Niles Bolton & Associates and the Housing and Community Development Division of
City of Marietta, student leaders in 2007 and 2008 designed solutions for the home of Marcella, an eleven year
old girl struggling with Muscular Dystrophy and upper respiratory problems. First through improving the
surface area of the interior of the home so Marcella could move around more freely, and then my creating an
accessible play area with an elevated sand box, pavers and convenient gate, students drastically improved the
quality of life for a family in need.

In response to this service program and the numerous leadership initiatives of the AIAS, the Georgia chapter of
The American Institute of Architects will present national leaders of the American Institute of Architecture
Students with a gift to their Beyond Architecture campaign, a national effort dedicated to securing resources
for leadership and service programs for architecture students. JW Blanchard, an Atlanta native, SPSU graduate
and current national President of the 7,000 member organization, will be in Atlanta to accept the check on
behalf of the AIAS.

The keynote begins at 6:00 pm at the Georgia Tech Conference Center. Local media are invited to attend. Please
RSVP to kmulvaney@aias.org if you wish to attend. Pictures will be available following the event.
About the AIAS

Headquartered in Washington, DC, the American Institute of Architecture Students was established in 1956
and is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, student-run organization. The mission of the AIAS is to promote
excellence in architecture education, training and practice, foster an appreciation of architecture and related
disciplines, enrich communities in a spirit of collaboration and organize students to combine their efforts to
advance the art and science of architecture. With almost 7,000 subscribing members on more than 130 college
and high school campuses throughout North America and several other countries, the AIAS represents the
interests of and connects the 20,000-plus students studying architecture. You can learn more about the
organization at www.aias.org.

About Freedom by Design

Freedom by Design™ is the national community service program of the AIAS. It utilizes the talents of
architecture students to radically impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and
construction solutions. Vital modifications are made to enhance the homes of low-income elderly and disabled
individuals by addressing their struggles with everyday tasks such as bathing, ascending stairs and opening
doors. Our priority is improving the safety, comfort and dignity of the home’s occupants.

Through more than 40 AIAS chapters, Freedom by Design™ teaches students how to resolve accessibility
issues while simultaneously providing them with the real world experience of working with a client, mentorship
from a local architect and constructor, and an understanding of the practical impact of architecture and
design. For more information about Freedom by Design™ visit www.aias.org/freedom.

About The Beyond Architecture Campaign

In an effort to make a lasting impact on its members and the communities they serve, the AIAS launched a
major capital campaign in 2007. The first in the history of the organization, the Beyond Architecture campaign
seeks to raise at least $2 Million to assist the organization in providing innovative leadership and service
programs, including Freedom by Design™, for generations to come. For more information or to contribute to the
campaign, please visit www.aias.org/beyondarchitecture.

About AIA Georgia

The primary functions of AIA Georgia are to increase the public's general knowledge and awareness of
architecture and the role architects play in the built and planned environment; and government affairs to
monitor state legislative and regulatory activities to promote and enhance the profession of architecture, those
who practice, and to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public it serves. 

Over time, national AIA membership has grown from an original 29 founding members in 1857 to more than
73,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners who express their commitment to
excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and communities.  Members adhere to a code of
ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public and the colleagues of an AIA-member
architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice. 

AIA Georgia is the local voice of the architecture profession dedicated to serving its members, advancing their
value and improving the quality of the built environment by reaching out to the community at-large. We
continue to enjoy a remarkable growth in membership with 7 local chapters --nearly 1900
members including over 60 Fellows -- bustling under the guidance of the AIA Georgia Association. To learn
more about AIA Georgia visit www.aiaga.org.

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