President’s Letter
July 2026
AIA’26 was filled with meaningful conversations and important moments of connection with AIA leadership, AIA International leadership, and our many allied organizations from around the world.
Rather than individual meetings or separate sessions, what stood out most to me was the continuity and depth of dialogue. There was a shared recognition that architecture today is shaped not only within institutions, but through ongoing global exchange, collaboration, and collective responsibility.
Opening of AIA’26, bringing together AIA leadership, AIA International members, and architectural leaders from around the world for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration.
I was honored to moderate a panel between the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the American Institute of Architects, where we reflected on how collaboration across organizations is no longer optional, but essential to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our profession.
Throughout AIA’26, AIA International continued these conversations with leadership from international institutions, including the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA), as well as global and national professional organizations including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Conseil National de l’Ordre des Architectes (CNOA) of France, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA), Korean Institute of Architects (KIA), Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), and Council of Architecture and Urbanism of Brazil (CAU/BR).
RIBA (President Chris Williamson) and AIA (President Illya Azaroff) panel discussion at AIA’26, moderated by Segene Park, President of AIA International, exploring international collaboration, shared challenges, and the future of the architectural profession.
These conversations also included leadership from several AIA International Chapters, Sections, and Country Representatives, including AIA United Kingdom, AIA Continental Europe, AIA Hong Kong, AIA Japan, AIA Middle East, AIA Shanghai, AIA Canada Society, AIA Southeast Asia, AIA Latin America, AIA Sub-Saharan Africa, and AIA Oceania.
Their continued engagement represents the strength of AIA International’s global network and the importance of connecting local professional communities with broader international dialogue.
Together, these conversations represent more than individual meetings. They are part of ongoing relationships built on trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to knowledge exchange and collaboration across regions.
Especially meaningful were the continued conversations with international institutional bodies that connect and support architectural organizations beyond individual national contexts. Discussions with President Wu Jiang, ASC, and the leadership of the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) have continued as part of our efforts to further strengthen collaboration between AIA International and regional professional organizations. Collaboration with the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) is also progressing through ongoing dialogue and future opportunities for cooperation.
In September, I will attend the ARCASIA and CAA conferences as President of AIA International to demonstrate our continued commitment and further advance these relationships through direct engagement and collaboration.
Dialogue and collaboration with global architectural organizations, strengthening partnerships and knowledge exchange across regions.
The International Union of Architects (UIA) is a global organization representing more than 150 professional organizations around the world, providing an important platform for international dialogue, cooperation, and the advancement of architecture as a global profession. The Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) represents 24 national architectural institutes across Asia, while the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) connects 48 architectural institutions across Commonwealth countries. The African Union of Architects (AUA) is a continental professional organization that brings together architectural organizations across Africa, representing professional institutions from more than 43 African countries.
AIA International holds a unique role as a communication bridge between our members and the international, regional, and national organizations that help guide the profession and shape architectural policies. By connecting practitioners, institutions, educators, and leaders across different levels, AIA International facilitates dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration that strengthens the global architectural community.
These partnerships represent important opportunities to expand professional exchange, share knowledge, and advance global collaboration within the architectural community. Through continued engagement with international, regional, and national organizations, AIA International will continue to strengthen connections across regions and support architecture as a positive force for society.
Among the most meaningful moments of the conference was a small farewell gathering honoring President Sato Naomi of the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA), whose term will come to an end at the end of June.
Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of working closely with President Sato and witnessing his dedication to strengthening the relationship between JIA, AIA National, AIA International, and AIA Japan, while deepening dialogue, trust, and collaboration among our organizations.
His leadership has extended beyond institutional cooperation and has helped build lasting relationships based on trust, friendship, and a shared commitment to advancing the architectural profession. I sincerely appreciate his support, partnership, and friendship throughout this journey, and I look forward to continuing this collaboration into the future.
The gathering brought together AIA National leadership, AIA International leadership, FAIA members, ARCASIA leadership, UIA leadership, and many colleagues and friends from across the international architectural community. It was a meaningful moment to reflect on the relationships we have built through years of cooperation and friendship.
The UIA Congress in Barcelona, continuing global dialogue and exploring new opportunities for collaboration within the international architectural community.
Each discussion reinforced an important idea: while every organization has its own role, mission, and professional context, our collective strength comes from staying connected and supporting one another across regions.
These dialogues will continue beyond AIA’26 through future collaborations, potential MOUs, and joint initiatives. The next opportunity will be the UIA Congress in Barcelona, where we will continue strengthening this global network and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.
I was also deeply grateful to reconnect with colleagues and friends from Illinois, where my architectural journey first began. Seeing familiar faces from AIA Illinois, AIA Chicago, AIA Northeast Illinois, and AIA Peoria was a reminder that global conversations are always grounded in personal history, professional relationships, and shared experiences.
Many of my university colleagues, former office colleagues, and longtime friends have gone on to take leadership roles within AIA components, chapters, and sections across the region, both past and present. These connections represent the strength of our professional community and demonstrate how relationships developed over time can grow into meaningful contributions to the broader architectural profession.
Reconnecting with colleagues and friends from Illinois, where my architectural journey began, and celebrating the lasting relationships built through the profession.
This also represents the beginning of a broader exchange between AIA International and AIA’s local components, chapters, and sections across the United States. By connecting local professional communities with the international platform, we can create new opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and global engagement.
We are also planning a gathering this August in Chicago with many of these friends and colleagues, and I look forward to this as another valuable opportunity to further develop and strengthen these relationships.
One of the most meaningful moments during my time in San Diego was reconnecting with the roots of my own architectural journey.
Geisel Library, University of California San Diego: A place where architecture, knowledge, and ideas come together through a powerful relationship between form and landscape.
On my way to the Salk Institute, I had the opportunity to visit the University of California San Diego campus and Geisel Library. The library’s distinctive form and its relationship with the surrounding landscape reminded me of the important role architecture plays in creating spaces for learning, discovery, and the exchange of ideas.
Although I was not able to enter the Salk Institute, I was grateful for the opportunity to visit the site and experience its powerful presence. The work of Louis Kahn has always been deeply connected to my understanding of architecture, design, and the relationship between space, light, and human experience.
Salk Institute: Experiencing Louis Kahn’s timeless work and reflecting on the architectural values, mentorship, and inspiration that have shaped my journey.
Louis Kahn was a teacher of Professor Edward Deam, my mentor and professor who passed away many years ago. Professor Deam, guided and supported me throughout my architectural career, shaping not only my approach to design but also my values as an architect. Visiting the Salk Institute became a moment of reflection on the mentors, ideas, and experiences that have influenced my path.
La Jolla Cove: A reminder of the connection between architecture, place, and nature, where the built environment exists in harmony with the natural world.
After several days of meetings, conversations, and gatherings during the conference, I was fortunate to spend a few quiet hours at La Jolla Cove on my final day in San Diego. Experiencing the ocean, the landscape, and seeing the sea lions in their natural environment reminded me of the deep connection between architecture, place, and nature.
Without this moment of connection with nature, my journey home would not have felt complete.
Architecture is not only about buildings. It is about people, memories, mentors, places, and the experiences that continue to inspire us. These connections are what give meaning to our profession and remind us why we continue to collaborate, learn, and build together across the world.
At its core, AIA International’s mission remains simple: to build bridges between institutions, between regions, and between people so that our profession can continue to grow stronger together.
I sincerely thank our global community for your leadership, friendship, and continued commitment to advancing architecture as a positive force for society.
Segene Park, AIA
AIA International President
