Dear Members:
Hello, your friendly neighborhood AIA Baltimore President here. I would like to highlight the great work your AIA does in the community and the benefits you should take advantage of:
- Events – The Spring Lecture Series is back at MICA’s Brown Center! We start the series on April 4th with a discussion on Transforming Urban Waterfronts, followed by a presentation on Baltimore’s Penn Station Renovation with two local firms involved on the project on April 10th, and a lecture by Marlon Blackwell on April 17th. The series will end on April 25th with local, award winning small firm, PI.KL.
- Advocacy – Your AIA Baltimore has been tracking recent developments in the city and counties we call home that affect our profession. If you would like to help in the effort, please let the AIA staff know.
- Diversity – The board has decided to do a book club reading of Jessica Bantom’s book “Design for Identity.” We hope to put on a panel discussion on DEI efforts in local firms, please contact myself or Lauren Bostic Hill if you want to be involved in the planning efforts.
I would also like to thank participants in our recent “Coffee with Committees” event at the Center. These events will occur every quarter to bring Committee participants and leaders together to discuss their events they are planning, try to bring resources to help them out and generally brainstorm on collaboration efforts for all. Our event in March saw participation from our COTE Committee, UDC, Design Awards, FAR, EP, Equity, and Lecture Series. I personally saw some great cross promotion and participated in a discussion to help bring Morgan Students to our events.
Lastly, I recently attended the remembrance to honor the life and legacy of Mahendra Parekh, a professor at Morgan State from 1981 to 2010, a practicing architect in the Baltimore area, and AIA Baltimore President in 2006. Professor Parekh touched the lives of so many who attended the school and who worked with him. I appreciate Morgan State for hosting the event and for giving us a space and time to say how much he meant and to say goodbye.
Take care of yourselves, and please take advantage of your membership and come join us for any of the upcoming events!
Yours,
Ryan Jordan Pfarr
2024 AIA Baltimore President
