THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

With 2008 as our second year, the Birmingham Architectural Foundation seeks to serve the architectural community and the community as a whole through educational and outreach programs.  Founded by the Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Foundation focuses the energy and creativity of its AIA members to support architectural education and promote improvement of the designed environment in our communities. 

Outreach programs of the Birmingham Architectural Foundation include:

• "dreamArchitecture". This architecture-oriented art competition for K5 through Fifth Grade children at public and private schools in Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties.

• "Studio i".  This outreach program for high school students provides opportunities to improve their understanding of the profession.  Programs have included: design projects for small, innovative objects (such as a cardboard chair), visits to architects' offices, and visits to schools of architecture in the Alabama - Mississippi - Georgia area.  

• College scholarships.  This will be the second year that the Foundation will award financial scholarships to students pursuing a professional degree in architecture!  In 2007, we were pleased to award scholarships to two deserving students from the Birmingham area. 

• "AIA4Shelter".  As architects, we have a tremendous platform from which to combat homelessness.  One 2007 AIA4Shelter initiative was presented in concert with Aletheia House, a local shelter – a design competition for a house costing less than $100,000, to be constructed in the Norwood area of Birmingham! 

A broader explanation of all these programs can be found within this website.  I encourage you to learn more about how you can support them through your time and resources. 

As excited as we are about these current outreach initiatives, the Foundation plans to create additional programs that will increase the public's understanding of architecture.  If you have ideas for other venues for outreach, or if you know of an organization that can benefit from the assistance of the Birmingham Architectural Foundation, I encourage you to contact our
Executive Director, Rhea Williams, at aiabirm@aiabham.org.  

Like other 501(c)(3) non­profit groups, the BAF will benefit from your tax deductible donations. Through our liaisons with other like­-minded groups (including the Birmingham AIA, which enthusiastically provides financial support), we hope to continue to enhance the Foundation's efforts as a broad-­based community resource.

Bruce Herrington, AIA
2008 Foundation President