Research

AIA research goal

In a period of profound social, technological, and environmental shifts, the built environment must respond to the changing conditions facing communities, organizations, and individuals in ways that enhance human experience and well-being, minimize costs, maximize efficiency, optimize resources, and enhance quality of life.

Buildings in the United States are tremendously impactful, contributing a significant share of GDP. Architects play a critical role in the outcome of these buildings, which affect all levels of scale—from the individual to larger society. Yet the research available for study of architecture and buildings is disproportionate to its impact.

AIA is calling for:

• Increased investment through new and expanded funding, both private and public.
• Prioritize research within the architect core competencies and firm culture.
• Continue and expand dissemination of research and promote exchange of findings, as well as increase research literacy.

Our action plan

Increased investment

We assert that research related to the built environment is underfunded considering its impact on the economy, human condition, and society at large. Architectural research is even more poorly funded.

• We will work to expand eligibility for government research grants related to including architects in research teams and/or directly funded.
• We believe industry and manufacturers should consult and engage architects in new product development and research and development efforts.
• We will enable possibilities for practicing architects to engage in relationships with academia, engage in research collaborations, and expand influence with other disciplines and industry.

Research content prioritization

AIA is committed to advancing research literacy in the profession. To do that in an impactful way, the commitment to research must extend from school all the way through practice and academic research. It is imperative that architects embrace research—both as critical consumers and, as warranted by interest and additional training, as researchers themselves. We will work to understand firm culture and provide guidance on how to adapt to changing integration of research into practice—however that is defined for a firm.

Improved dissemination

We are committed to making research more broadly available, connecting architects to where research resides.

• In its resources, AIA links to credible, vetted research. We encourage the same sharing and transparency throughout the profession.
• We are committed to helping develop consistent and useful approaches for post-occupancy evaluations, case studies, and key metrics. The AIA Knowledge Communities make contribution to research advancing the profession.
• We will continue to advance efforts to advance research literacy so that more architects can consume research within their workflows.

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