Message from the President

TBD

Welcome to the Newest Board Members

Ben Duncan, Associate AIA
Lecture Committee Member
Chris Dawson Architect

Ralph Muenstermann, AIA
Conference & Design Awards Committee Member
RLPS Architects

Austin Benham, Associate AIA
Outreach Committee Chair
Gannett Fleming Architects, Inc.

See our full leadership team here! 

Help Shape What’s Next — Volunteer to Serve on the Board

AIA Pennsylvania thrives because members step forward to lead. As we look ahead, we’re inviting architects and allied professionals who care about the future of the profession to consider serving on our Board.

Board service is a meaningful way to:

  • Influence the direction and priorities of AIA Pennsylvania
  • Strengthen advocacy, education, and member support statewide
  • Build leadership skills and expand your professional network
  • Give back to a profession and community that has supported you

Whether you’re an experienced leader or looking to take the next step in your involvement, your perspective matters. We’re especially eager to welcome voices from diverse practice types, firm sizes, career stages, and regions across the Commonwealth.

Interested in learning more or ready to join the team – email Drew Hohenwarter dhohenwarter@tonogroup.com

Your voice can help guide the future of architecture in Pennsylvania—consider volunteering.

Spring Lecture

2026 Spring Lecture
“Out of Place: Architecture Betwixt and Between”
DATE: May 20, 2026
TIME: 7:00 – 8:00pm Lecture | 8:00-9:00pm Fellowship Hour Reception
LOCATION: Westshore Theater, 317 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA  17070

Registration Required due to theater maximum capacity 

REGISTER TODAY

PRICING: Members $25.00 | Non-Members $35.00 | Students $15.00

Marlon Blackwell, FAIA

Founder and Principal | Marlon Blackwell Architects,  Fayetteville, AR

Marlon Blackwell, FAIA together with his partner in life and work, Ati Blackwell, AIA, ASID lead the internationally recognized practice Marlon Blackwell Architects. Their work has received recognition with significant publication and more than 200 design awards including the 2016 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture and the 2025 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize. Working between the universal language of architecture and the particulars of place, they have cultivated a studio recognized for its formal clarity, contextual depth, and architectural integrity. In 2020, Marlon was honored with the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects for his enduring impact on the theory and practice of architecture. He’s a lifetime member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and an inductee of the American Academy of Arts and Science. Equally respected as an educator, he served as the E. Fay Jones Distinguished Professor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas where he taught for over 30 years.  Most recently, he was the Louis I. Kahn Visiting Professor at Yale University for the Fall of 2025. A monograph of their recent work, titled “Radical Practice”, was published in 2022 by Princeton Architectural Press. READ MORE

To help us celebrate 20 years of lectures Marlon Blackwell, FAIA & 2020 AIA Gold Medal Winner will be kicking off this year’s Lecture Series with a presentation on May 20th in New Cumberland. 20 years ago, Marlon Blackwell was the first architect I invited to lecture and it is a tremendous treat to have one of the greatest living American architects return to Central PA in 2026.  Details for the May 20th Lecture.

Marlon produces great work, as have all the speakers we invite, but he and the work are both uncommonly approachable and of particular inspiration to practitioners and the public in Central PA given that his office is in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

To quote the Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa, “For Blackwell, buildings are generators of and frames for experience. Profound and touching architectural experiences arise from the tectonic realities of construction, truthful materiality, and the existential charge of the imagery, not from fictitious pictorial fabrications.”

The AIA Central PA Lectures are memorable evenings when a large group of our members gather to be inspired and socialize. I trust you see the value to your company and the broader nature of sponsoring these events but please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

HELP SPONSOR THE 2026 LECTURE SERIES 

Government Affairs

Supporting AIA Pennsylvania’s Political Action Committee (PAC) is one of the most direct ways to shape the decisions that affect your practice, your business, and the communities you serve. Through voluntary contributions, the PAC amplifies the collective voice of architects—supporting pro-industry candidates who understand the value of good design and advocating against legislation that could harm the profession.

Every contribution matters. Any amount helps ensure AIA Pennsylvania has a seat at the table when decisions are made. As the only organization representing Pennsylvania’s architects before state government, AIA Pennsylvania works every day to protect the profession and advance your interests.

State policies and regulations have a real impact on the practice of architecture and on the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants. From building codes and professional licensure to public procurement and business conditions, AIA Pennsylvania is actively engaged where it counts.

Learn more about the legislation AIA Pennsylvania is advancing on your behalf:  

And stay tuned – this August you’ll have opportunities to engage locally during AIA Pennsylvania District Days and connect directly with elected officials in your community.  

Conference, Expo and Awards

Planning has begun for the AIA Central Pennsylvania 2026 Conference Expo and Design Awards event.  This event follows  an outstanding 2025 conference, expo and design awards that was held in September at the Armstrong Campus in Lancaster.  We were thrilled to partner with Armstrong in celebration of their 75th Anniversary!

We had amazing tours around the Armstrong Campus followed by a delicious happy hour with our incredible sponsors.  Good conversations were had with highly knowledgable produce specification experts that would be an asset to any project.   This was followed by two special award presentations.

  • Central Pennsylvania Architects Foundation Scholarship Recipients are Dakota Davis, Madeline Cohen, and Abby Cole.  The three scholarships plus the additional matching funds from AIA National allowed us to award a total of $3,755.00 this year!
  • AIA Central Pennsylvania Young Architect Award Recipient | Chris Peterson, AIA , Hord Coplan Macht
  • AIA Central Pennsylvania Presidents Award Recipient | Jim Thompson, AIA

Nate Baxter, AWI Director of Design & Digital Services delivered an engaging keynote about Industrial & Digital Design.  Then we held the reveal of the 2025 AIA Central Pennsylvania Excellence in Design Award Recipients.  Thank you to our jury from Chattanooga, Tennessee.  See all of our 2025 design award recipient projects here.

2026 Location Search

In 2026 we will be returning to Harrisburg Pennsylvania.  If you have a location or tour recommendation please send it to Rachel Haynes rhaynes@tippettsweaver.com.  

The 2026 Design Awards Schedule will be as follows:  

  • Submissions Open | June 3, 2026
  • Submissions Close | July 15, 2026
  • Members Choice | Voting open August 3, 2026 – August 24, 2026 

Special Awards 

  • Young Architect Award
  • Distinguished Service Award

Help us celebrate the extraordinary members that we have in Central Pennsylvania.  Create a submission for one of our annual special awards.  Nominations open June 3rd and close Aug 30, 2026.  

AI in Video Surveillance: Transforming Secruity and Urban Spaces

By: Jared Baldwin, Phase Shift Consulting | Allied Partner of AIA Central Pennsylvania

Core Capabilities of AI Surveillance
AI surveillance systems leverage real-time video analysis to instantly detect threats and generate actionable insights. Machine learning algorithms recognize faces, detect anomalies, and even predict incidents, significantly enhancing security. These systems classify objects, track movement, and identify behavioral anomalies, providing comprehensive situational awareness. Facial recognition technology further aids law enforcement and access control, while predictive analytics use historical data to forecast potential incidents, enabling preventive measures. Modern video surveillance has evolved into a ubiquitous, always‐watching presence, driven by fast‐advancing digital technology and increasingly powerful analytical tools.

Operational Efficiency and Beyond
One of the most compelling advantages of AI surveillance is its ability to reduce human error and boost operational efficiency. By automating threat detection and data analysis, AI systems maintain consistent vigilance, overcoming limitations caused by human fatigue or distraction. This automation not only improves security outcomes but also allows organizations to scale their surveillance operations without having to increase staffing. Additionally, AI’s applications extend beyond security. Alternative opportunities for AI include supporting retail analytics, traffic monitoring, and smart city initiatives.

Key Drivers for AI Adoption
The adoption of AI in surveillance is driven by several factors: Faster Threat Detection, Reduced Human Error, Actionable Analytics, and Reliability. AI analyzes video feeds in real time, identifies suspicious activities quickly and accurately, and provides predictive alerts to improve human decision-making.  Future Trends: Smart Cities and Edge AI Looking ahead, AI surveillance will play a pivotal role in the development of smart cities. Emerging innovations include edge AI for real-time processing, which enables local data analysis on devices, reducing latency and enhancing decision-making. Advanced predictive analytics will one day allow for the forecasting of security breaches using historical and behavioral data, further strengthening urban safety.

Conclusion
AI in video surveillance is not just a technological upgrade—it’s a transformative force in architecture and urban planning. By enabling intelligent, scalable, and proactive security solutions, AI empowers architects and city planners to create safer, more responsive environments. As adoption accelerates, the synergy between AI and architecture will continue to redefine the possibilities for secure, efficient, and vibrant urban spaces. With improved accuracy and real‐time capabilities of modern AI‐enhanced surveillance, it’s imperative that organizations evaluate whether legacy systems still meet their safety and operational needs. At Phase Shift we remain committed to being on the leading edge of design and safety for your projects and customers.

Call for Member Articles

AIA Central PA would like to feature scholarly articles / blogs related to our profession in each quarterly newsletter. This is an excellent opportunity to have your article published and available to your fellow architects / engineers in Central PA. If you are interested in submitting an article or blog please send your inquiries to Brett Hallacher at bhallacher@rlps.com.  This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your expertise and contribute to the professional development of your peers.

Membership Notes

USE YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS

  • Access to the world’s largest network of architects and design professionals
  • Recognized AIA designation
  • CE tracking through the AIA Transcript
  • Complimentary firm listing on aiapa.org.
  • In person events
  • Leadership opportunities like the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design
    and Women’s Leadership Summit
  • Local Leadership positions on the AIA Central PA Board
  • Knowledge communities

 It is highly recommended that you join knowledge groups for more information about your personal interests.   Please let Susan Frear at AIA PA know if you have any questions about dues or membership.  sfrear@aiapa.org

Upcoming Events

REGISTER FOR UPCOMING AIA CENTRAL PA EVENTS

REGISTER FOR UPCOMING AIA PA EVENTS.

Job Opportunities

Strasburg seeks historic district residents to serve on board protecting architectural heritage | More Information

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