The Former President challenges architects to take on pressing global issues and "low-hanging fruit." Bill Clinton gives the opening keynote at the 2015 AIA convention in Atlanta. Former President Bill Clinton delivered a keynote address Thursday to kick off the American Institute of Architects’ annual national convention. The 42nd president of the United States—who after introductions bounced spryly onto the stage—addressed a crowd of approximately 7,000 architecture professionals in the Georgia World Expo Center in downtown Atlanta, touching on a number of daunting global issues including terrorism, inequality, and global warming. But, he said, with the challenges come opportunities.“There is

Sustainability was the theme of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2007 National Convention and Design Exposition. Although green will be a leitmotif at this year’s event in Boston, which is themed “We the People,” the AIA hopes that from the standpoint of producing less waste and carbon emissions, the conference will be its greenest yet. RECORD’s news editor, James Murdock, recently chatted with Christopher Gribbs, Assoc. AIA, senior director of conventions, to learn about some of the AIA’s sustainable strategies—and its city selection criteria. Photo courtesy American Institute of Architects Christopher Gribbs, Assoc. AIA James Murdock: First of all,

Photo © Architectural Record Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, speaking at the AIA Convention in Chicago on Saturday. Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO and bestselling author delivered the final keynote address at the 2014 AIA Convention in Chicago on Saturday. Hsieh has recently turned his attention to urban development and the way in which a corporation like Zappos can make a positive impact on a city. In 2013, Hsieh moved Zappos’s corporate headquarters from the suburbs of Las Vegas to the city’s former city hall. In the run-up to the move, Hsieh asked employees what they wanted in their new corporate

Photo © Architectural Record Ed Mazria, founder and CEO of Architecture 2030. The internationally recognized Ed Mazria delivered a keynote address at the 2014 AIA Convention in Chicago on Friday. His message to attendees: design with a purpose, because life depends on it. “Scientists are projecting that by 2047, that the coldest year after that date that you will experience will be warmer than the warmest year you’ve ever experienced,” Mazria said. Avoiding that possibility—and leveraging design, architecture, and building professions to make the built environment as “green” as possible—was Mazria’s message.Mazria is founder of Architecture 2030, a think tank

Photo © Architectural Record Theaster Gates addresses the crowd at the 2014 AIA Convention in Chicago. The internationally-acclaimed artist, potter, educator and breaker of rules, Theaster Gates, addressed the 2014 AIA Convention in Chicago today and argued that his role, as well as that of artists and design professionals, is to push the envelope. Related links Newsmaker Interview: Theaster Gates AIA Convention 2014: Jeanne Gang’s Sense of Purpose AIA Convention 2014: Rahm Emanuel Says Your Efforts are Essential “I don’t feel constrained by being trained as a planner,” Gates said. “As a result I’ve been breaking a lot of rules.

  Photo: Courtesy Chris Schultz, AIA The 2007 National Convention and Design Exposition of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) opens next week in San Antonio. In this six-minute podcast, AIA San Antonio chapter president Chris Schultz, AIA, chats with McGraw-Hill Construction’s news director, Heather Hatfield, about how his organization is gearing up for the event. Local AIA chapters are responsible for organizing galas as well as tours of their cities. In this case, AIA San Antonio is offering more than 100 tours that highlight everything from the Alamo and other historic Spanish missions, to the dance halls of Texas.