AIA25 – BOSTON

AIA25 – BOSTON

AIA’s Integrating Design Education through Architecture (IDEA) Advisory Group proudly hosted three dynamic and successful activities focused on inspiring the next generation of design professionals during AIA’s national convention. AIA25, held in Boston this year, welcomed over 12,000 architecture and design professionals over the course of four days in early June.

Thursday kicked off with Boston high schoolers finishing the Design Challenge they began during April’s Architecture Week. Students spent nine hours over the course of two days planning and building a design focused on an undeveloped parcel of land in Seaport Square.  Students worked side-by-side with architects and landscape architects to consider how to make the space appealing for teenagers while considering environmental challenges like terrain and rising sea levels.

After a site visit where they sketched their ideas, the students completed their innovative designs and showcased them to conference attendees before networking on the Expo Floor. Students participated in a mini design challenge at GAF, who sponsored the K-12 activations along with the College of Fellows, visited NOMA, NCARB, AISC and the NextGen Lounge, and made sure they had time to check out the puppies at the puppy park!

Friday brought a variety of architecture and design hands-on activities for fifth graders from Holmes Innovation School. David Silverman, FAIA, created and led a fun-filled neighborhood walking tour. Students explored all the Expo Floor’s treasures, sketched with the talented Moh’d Bilbeisi, read with Mollie Elkman (The House That She Built) and Christopher Whitcomb (Deja the Dynamo) and even got hands-on with LEGO and foam dice for creative design exercises.

On Saturday, a passionate panel discussion with K-12 advocates Emily Miyares, Muna El-Taha, Jack Whalen, AIA, NCARB, Shane Aaron, AIA, and Oswaldo Rivera-Ortiz, Associate AIA focused on sharing the success of High School Internship programs and sparked a lively conversation that energized the room. A special guest appearance by a previous high school intern, Mari Baker, enhanced the conversation.

Discussions about K-12 engagement for San Diego students are already underway for AIA26, to be held June 10-13, 2026. If you are interested in joining the fun, reach out to Devon Davis (devondavis@aia.org) at any time. All of this cannot be done without the volunteers who made sure every student had a tremendous experience.