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Newsletter - June 2025

Message From the President

“Are we being good ancestors?” – Dr. Jonas Salk

AIA International’s president Yew Kee Cheong reflects on the responsibility of being "good ancestors" through servant leadership, effective succession planning, and cultivating a thriving, interconnected AIA International community. He outlines key achievements in leadership development, visibility, and member value, while celebrating past milestones and upcoming global events that continue to strengthen the organization's reach and influence.

Shine the Light

Jason Holland, AIA Int, reflects on the inspiration and effort behind organizing the inaugural Global Architecture Workshop at AIA25, which explored design across borders.

Despite early scepticism and logistical hurdles, the event sold out and drew a diverse, engaged audience—demonstrating strong interest in international practice across the profession. Holland discusses the importance of leadership support, shared global perspectives, and lessons learned, while expressing hope that the Workshop becomes a lasting fixture in future AIA National Conferences.

Strategic Council Update - June 2025

Get the latest updates from AIA’s Future Forward study groups as they explore key themes shaping the profession—from climate resilience to digital practice and inclusive leadership. As the 10-Year Valuation group concludes its interviews, the coming weeks promise insight-driven next steps for the AIA’s long-term strategic vision.

International Fellows Update - June 2025

Considering applying for Fellowship?

Your AIA International COF Reps are here to help guide and support you every step of the way. We invite both early explorers and active candidates to reach out for help in navigating this journey.

AIA International & AIA Japan - 2025 Osaka World Expo Symposium

Held at the heart of Expo 2025 Osaka, the AIA International Symposium—organized in just over a month—brought together nearly 200 registered participants and hundreds more attendees to engage with the theme Building the Future: Sustainable Connections. The event highlighted architecture’s critical role in addressing global challenges through design, policy, and education.

With a strong focus on collaboration, youth mentorship, and environmental responsibility, the symposium underscored AIA’s commitment to shaping a more inclusive and resilient built environment.

AIA International & AIA Japan - Azabudai Hills: A New Urban Vision

Hosted at the iconic Azabudai Hills and supported by Mori Building and North Glass, this landmark AIA International event brought together architects, designers, and industry leaders for a day of guided tours, engaging dialogue, and a cultural reception curated by renowned chef Kiyomi Mikuni.

Despite rainy weather and last-minute technical hurdles, the event showcased a spirit of adaptability and collaboration, with participants exploring the site’s cutting-edge design and sustainability features. With representation from six nonprofit organizations and one university, and attendees from across Asia and beyond, the event reinforced AIA’s mission to foster global networks and visionary urban development.

2025 Global Mentorship Program - June Update

This year’s theme is Creating Value in Your Career. With several successful sessions already behind us, the Global Mentorship Program has more inspiring events lined up for the coming months.

Next up is “Spatial Answers to Social Questions,” featuring architect Lyongo Juliana of lyongo architecture, who will share how design can serve as a powerful tool for social transformation.

These group sessions are open to all!

2025 AIA International Design Awards – Call for Entries

We are thrilled to announce that the 2025 AIA International Design Awards are now open for submissions!

With a simplified eligibility process welcoming a broader range of entrants, AIA members worldwide are invited to submit projects located outside the US by Friday 18 July 2025. Winners will be celebrated at both the 2025 AIA International Conference in Sri Lanka and AIA26 in San Diego, with special recognition for projects advancing sustainability and inclusive design.

AIA International Conference 2025 Sri Lanka: The Art Within Architecture - coming Soon!

We are excited to announce the AIA International Conference 2025 will be hosted in Colombo, Sri Lanka this year!

More details coming soon.

Registration opens July 2025.

SAVE THE DATES!

Roca - Tura: A Quiet Gesture Toward The Everyday

Designed by Andreu Carulla for Roca, Tura is a complete bathroom collection inspired by the architectural DNA of Barcelona.

Drawing from Mediterranean light, vernacular materials, and the understated strength of figures like Coderch and Sert, Tura reimagines the bathroom as a space of calm and quiet functionality. Combining recycled materials with advanced features such as Roca’s Supraglaze® finish and Rimless Vortex® flush, the collection is both technically refined and emotionally resonant—made to integrate seamlessly into homes, hospitality spaces, and architectural projects around the world.

LAUFEN - A New Dimension of Water for a More Sustainable Future

Marking a new era in sustainable design, LAUFEN’s emission-free factory in Gmunden introduces the world’s first electric tunnel kiln for sanitaryware—an innovation that redefines ceramic production. In celebration, designer Yves Béhar unveils VOLTA, a sculptural washbasin born from this breakthrough process. Inspired by the movement of water and realised in ultra-thin Saphirkeramik, VOLTA unites poetic form, functional elegance, and ecological intelligence—inviting us to reimagine our daily rituals through the lens of design and nature.

AROUND THE WORLD

From honouring outstanding UK-based projects at the 2025 Excellence in Design Awards, to supporting architects navigating the new Mutual Recognition Agreement exam, and gathering in Cork for the 'Genius Loci' Conference in partnership with AIA Continental Europe, AIA UK continues to foster innovation, collaboration, and architectural dialogue across borders. Each event offered a unique lens on how architecture can shape, respect, and elevate the world we inhabit.

AIA Sub-Saharan Africa is thriving with new inspiring thought leadership, and growing global visibility. From supporting innovation-focused webinars to a strong presence at AIA25 Boston—where AIA SSA members contributed to symposia, receptions, and global networking—our section continues to champion meaningful dialogue and design across borders. Looking ahead, we’re excited to reconnect with the global community in Sri Lanka this October.

From AI-driven workshops and inspiring lectures by global architects to regional design fairs and cross-disciplinary seminars, AIA Middle East’s recent events have sparked meaningful dialogue and brought the architectural community together.

As we look ahead, upcoming programs like MEAEC BuildTechXchange promise to further engage professionals in exploring sustainable, modular, and forward-thinking solutions for the built environment.

From a lecture by Balázs Bognár at Meiji University to hands-on experiences like the tour of the Kiyoshi Seike House and an evening with Moreau Kusunoki, AIA Japan’s spring programming offered a rich blend of dialogue, discovery, and design.

Highlights included our Knowledge Session on Ultracompact Surfaces at Cosentino and the Azabudai Hills: A New Urban Vision event with AIA International. With more activities planned for June, including Gallery Ma and Sketch Nite, we continue to welcome members—local and international—to connect and collaborate.

AIA Hong Kong continues to actively engage its members through programs that connect cultural and architectural insights. Recent highlights include the Nantou Ancient City Tour, where experts such as Meng Yan and Prof. Yung Ho Chang shared experiences on urban revitalization, and the Cultural Landscape of Bangkok trip, which....

AIA Continental Europe is gearing up for its Fall 2025 Conference in Madrid and Segovia, titled Reimagining, with registration now open. The AIACE Scholarship continues to support U.S. students in Europe with a €3,000 award—submissions are due June 30. The Italy Section recently hosted an inspiring architecture-focused event in Rome, including a private Vatican Gardens tour. Meanwhile, the Spring 2025 Conference in Cork, co-organized with AIA UK, was a major success, featuring site visits and presentations from some of Ireland’s most renowned architects and planners.

This spring, AIA Canada honored six outstanding student winners in the 2025 Design Awards and welcomed global peers at a well-attended RAIC Conference reception in Montreal. From participating in the AIA International Symposium and National Caucus in Boston to supporting the launch of a new RIBA Canada Chapter, AIA Canada reinforced its leadership role in strengthening global architectural connections and celebrating design excellence.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Virtual Professional and Continuing Education

AIA International offers a variety of online virtual programs to help you fulfil your continuing education requirements.

Keep an eye on our calendar of Upcoming Events here >>

And check out our library of Past Events, where you can watch event recordings and earn CES credits by taking an accompanying quiz here >>

Contact details:

Website: aiainternational.org

Email: administrativedirector@aiainternational.org

AIA International

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