Designing the Future of Architecture Together at AIA25

Architecture is built on relationships: between space and people, between vision and context, and between the individuals who shape this work every day.

That truth came into focus at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference on Architecture & Design® 2025 (AIA25) in Boston. Members of our GFT architecture team arrived as one national practice, ready to engage in conversations on public architecture, climate resilience, sustainable design, and the future of the profession. We left with a clearer understanding of who we are becoming and how we want to grow.

Designing for communities means engaging them, not just serving them. That theme ran through many of the most relevant sessions at AIA25 — from public space design to coastal resilience and equitable development.

Conferences are often framed as learning opportunities for emerging professionals. For our team, AIA25 was a reset. It was an investment in design culture and shared momentum.

Some colleagues attended for the first time. Others, like me, reconnected with former classmates, industry partners, and teammates we’d only worked with virtually. After years of remote collaboration, it was great to be in the same room.

Darryl Moser, AIA, SAME, CMAA, GPCP, CQM, vice president and federal account manager for civilian agencies, spent time with AIA and Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) leadership, in his role as SAME’s Architectural Practice Community of Interest chair, exploring how the public sector and design community can continue building stronger partnerships. These conversations added depth to our experience and reminded us of the responsibility we carry as civic designers.

Dakota Ash, LEED Green Associate, and Isra Banks, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, MCCPO, senior project architect, made the most of their time on the expo floor, engaging directly with vendors and manufacturers. They returned with insights into the latest materials, products, and trends that will help inform our design decisions in real time.

In a profession where architects are responsible for not only aesthetics but also safety, code compliance, and community impact, staying current matters. That professional commitment begins with an architecture-accredited program and continues throughout one’s path to becoming a licensed architect and beyond.

Sustainability was more than just a topic of conversation. For Kyunglan Kim, a senior architectural designer, it was a driving force behind her AIA25 experience. From technical sessions on climate-resilient materials to informal discussions on decarbonization, her focus remained clear: design must evolve in response to environmental challenges.

Kyunglan also attended the Women’s Leadership Luncheon with senior architectural designer Anna Kick, an event that underscored the role of inclusive leadership in shaping a more resilient built environment. Together, they brought back ideas that continue to influence how we lead and mentor within our practice.

At GFT, we work across markets including transit, aviation, civic, federal, and industrial — places where architects plan with intent and design with a deep understanding of context. But our direction is grounded in shared values. Architects work to design with purpose, rooted in context, and committed to durability and user experience.

Many of the AIA25 sessions we attended focused on materials, digital tools, and storytelling. These ideas are important, but they only add value when grounded in the fundamentals: design clarity, community engagement, and technical strength.

We’re not designing to impress. We’re designing to contribute. Every space we create influences how people move, connect, and live, and that responsibility informs how we approach the work.

What we brought home from AIA25 wasn’t just inspiration; it was alignment. At GFT, we believe in Ingenuity That Shapes Lives, and that belief was reinforced in every session, conversation, and collaboration at AIA25.