The American Institute of Architects (AIA) was founded on February 23, 1857, in New York City by 13 architects aiming to promote the scientific and practical perfection of the profession. Led by Richard Upjohn (first president), they sought to elevate the standing of architects, establish high standards of practice, and foster a professional community. The goal was to create a national organization for architects to share knowledge, hold meetings, and establish ethical codes. The organization has grown to represent over 95,000 members with 200+ chapters worldwide.
Founding Members of the AIA (1857):
- Richard Upjohn (President): Known for Trinity Church in NYC.
- Charles Babcock: Son-in-law to Upjohn.
- Henry W. Cleaveland: Author of early village architecture books.
- Henry Dudley: Known for Gothic Revival churches.
- Leopold Eidlitz: A prominent NYC architect.
- Edward Gardiner: Architect.
- Richard Morris Hunt: First American to study at the École des Beaux-Arts.
- Detlef Lienau: Known for popularizing brownstone housing.
- Jacob Wrey Mould: Known for work in Central Park.
- Fred A. Petersen: Architect.
- John M. Priest: Architect.
- Richard M. Upjohn: Son of Richard Upjohn.
- Joseph C. Wells: Architect.
The group immediately sought to professionalize the field, inviting 16 additional architects to join, including Alexander Jackson Davis and Calvert Vaux.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) moved its headquarters from New York to Washington, D.C., in 1898, to increase influence on federal legislation, specifically to help implement the Tarsney Act. The Tarsney Act (passed on February 20, 1893, and fully implemented around 1897–1898) was a United States federal law that authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to hire private architects for the design of federal public buildings through competitive bidding. Named after Representative John Tarsney (D-MO), the act was a significant shift that allowed for higher-quality, often Beaux-Arts style, architecture in federal projects rather than relying solely on the Office of the Supervising Architect.
The organization initially rented the historic Octagon House in 1898 and finalized its purchase in 1902. The current headquarters building at 1735 New York Avenue, NW, was completed in 1973 and most recently renovated in 2025.