Understanding the American Institute of Architects and the Society of American Registered Architects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a remarkably underutilized organization with resources available to help architects, architecture students and architectural clients find relevant resources and information. The AIA works in a variety of different ways to connect the public, architecture students and architects with one another as well. The organization sponsors public symposiums and lectures, funds student competitions and provides forums and listings for connecting clients with architectural designers. The AIA also grants annual awards to outstanding practitioners and for design excellence in particular building designs. To support its work, the AIA relies on membership contributions from over 75,000 members - including architecture students and professionals from all over the country.

A regional branch of the American Institute of Architects is an ideal place to find out more about architects, architecture and architectural lectures and events in specific area. The AIA has evolved its mission considerably since it was originally established over a century ago to set standards for consistency and ethical practice in the field of architecture. Currently, the AIA is as much concerned with raising public awareness of architecture and the importance of civic space as it is with providing quality control within the discipline of architecture.

In part, this shift in focus came about due to concerns raised in the middle of the 20th Century by notable scholars such as Hannah Arendt and Jane Jacobs, who were concerned with the decline of city streets and the disappearance of civic spaces brought on by the increased popularity of the automobile and other modern developments. As architects and urban designers shifted their focus to address these issues, so did the AIA - extending its reach beyond architects and to the public, addressing issues of civic design and shared spaces.

The Society of American Registered Architects can best be understood in relationship to the American Institute of Architects. SARA is a much younger institution, established in 1956 (the AIA was founded in 1857).

SARA shares some characteristics with the AIA. Like the AIA, the SARA hosts conventions, subsidizes student competitions and giving awards to architectural professionals. However, the SARA is primarily driven by economic interests - the profitable success of its members. Conversely, the AIA is more interested in promoting good ethical and civic design.

At best, the SARA can be seen as a supplementary organization to the AIA. Most architects belong the to AIA and not SARA, but few if any belong to SARA and not the AIA. As such, as a professional, client or student, the AIA is an ideal point of first contact, while the SARA a good secondary option.