The A’22 Conference on Architecture is the annual conference that brings together architects from around  North America for three days of inspiration, discussion, and gatering.

The 2022 conference was a special one for Swatchbox, as it brought the arrival of a new high-impact experience for conference attendees: the AIA Sample Gallery Powered by Swatchbox.

From exploring material samples on the expo floor to discussing hot topics in architecture and listening to former US President Barack Obama, here's a look at what the 2022 AIA conference had to offer.

AIA Sample Gallery Powered by Swatchbox

The AIA and Swatchbox partnered to provide attendees with the AIA Sample Gallery Powered by Swatchbox. The gallery brought over 300 building product samples from 30 different manufacturers around the expo hall to one central destination.

In case you missed the event, experience it for yourself with this 90-second recap of the 2022 AIA Sample Gallery experience:

Architects were able to order free samples as they walked through the experience and have them delivered to their doorstep after the show. 

Swatchbox also announced the launch of the Swatchbox mobile app for iOS. The mobile app provides access to the thousands of material samples on Swatchbox that are available for free request by architects.

Opening Keynote with New AIA CEO Lakisha Woods

AIA Executive Vice President and CEO Lakisha Woods kicked off the conference Wednesday morning with an interview-style keynote with Madame Architect's Julia Gamolina about how “her success is based on their success.” 

Photo Courtesy: AIA

Woods stepped into office in early 2022 and has spent most of her time talking with AIA members about what they think AIA’s priority should be and determining opportunities for growth from there. 

“I’ve always been seen as a change agent. A change agent is required if we’re trying to make those steps to move the organization forward."

With her background in association management, Woods is aiming to take the AIA to the next step and "put in writing what needs to happen next to impact and change this industry and profession."

Diversity and Inclusion in Architecture

In a panel conversation moderated by Lee Bey, architects Vishaan Chakrabarti, Renée Cheng, and Jeanne Gang discussed how the architecture profession has failed to recognize the lack of diversity in the field. Chakrabarti mentioned that over 50% of architecture students are women; however, many drop out of the profession by the time they are in their forties. 

Photo Courtesy: AIA

And it's not just women that are underrepresented in the field: less than 5% of licensed architects are African Americans. Gang cited the many strengths a firm gains by having a diverse set of backgrounds across the racial and economic spectrum, as well as hiring from a widened spectrum of schools.

Cheng called on architects saying that it is their job to make the profession known and accessible to all. Panelists agreed that this will help the architecture field be a more diverse place, improve the culture, and benefit the industry in both the short and long terms. 

Closing Keynote from President Barack Obama

Structured as a conversation with AIA president Dan Hart, former United States President Barack Obama spoke about some of the challenges architects face during this year's closing keynote:

• • Social inequity from inhumane public housing projects
• • Sprawl in America and bringing sustainability into every project
• • An architect's value should not be dependent on their status

Photo Courtesy: AIA

While in Chicago, President Obama also visited the construction site for his Presidential Center in Jackson Park. The center will include an extension of the Chicago Public Library system, museum, and several indoor and outdoor gathering places for the surrounding communities to enjoy. You can follow the project's progress and other updates about the area here.

Photo Courtesy: obama.org

President Obama's goal for the project is to tie the city together with “a laboratory and university for social change" that will bring young people together and drive the economy in a disinvested part of the city. 

Missed the action this year? Find the AIA Sample Gallery Powered by Swatchbox and more at A'23 San Francisco.

Swatchbox is a premier sample fulfillment service that connects design professionals with building product manufacturers. With proprietary software designed by insiders of the design community, Swatchbox helps manufacturers improve product sales and brand affinity by delivering material samples to the design community with speed, intelligence, and style. Learn more and join Swatchbox at www.swatchbox.com.