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.

Chloe Chapman, Associate AIA
Communications Committee Chair
RLPS 

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.

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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

Seth, Jim, Susan & I are gearing up for an extraordinary start to this year’s American Institute of Architects (AIA) Central PA Lecture Series with 2020 AIA Gold Medal recipient Marlon Blackwell, FAIA kicking it off! We hope you can join us May 20^th (Wednesday in lieu of our typical Thursday night) in New Cumberland at the West Shore Theatre. Marlon was our 2006 lecturer – the year I became chair of the lecture committee – and his firm continues to root their work in the everyday and search for marvelous ideas. The presentation is titled, “Out of Place: Architecture Betwixt and Between” and I trust he will draw far more than the two dozen people we had 20 years ago.

I look forward to the humor, inspiration, and fellowship that our Spring Lecture is sure to bring. Note that we have invited all our neighboring AIA chapters to this lecture given Marlon’s stature.

Please consider sponsoring the 2026 AIA Central PA Lecture Series with a $550 donation or as an underwriter for $2,500. Thank you for your past support.

For $550 we will provide you with a full-page advertisement in our Program and 2 tickets to the lecture. As an underwriter you will receive all the benefits of a sponsor as well as prominent recognition in all event related materials and you would be able to make brief remarks to the group at the start of the lecture. 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 of sponsoring these events but please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for considering my request.

 

Sincerely,

Chris Dawson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Principal

Chris Dawson Architect

HELP SPONSOR THE 2026 LECTURE SERIES 

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Architecture Week

AIA Pennsylvania is thrilled to announce a new statewide initiative for Architecture Week 2026 (April 12-18) designed to bring architectural inspiration and design thinking directly to children across all 67 counties of Pennsylvania.

We are inviting AIA Pennsylvania members to volunteer their time and share their passion for architecture with young learners in communities across the Commonwealth. Through interactive story hours and hands-on design activities hosted in partnership with local libraries, architects will have the opportunity to introduce children to the power of design, creativity, and problem-solving in a fun and meaningful way.

This initiative is about more than reading a book or leading an activity—it is about helping children see that the built environment is shaped by ideas, imagination, and people who care deeply about their communities. A simple hour of your time can spark curiosity, encourage confidence, and inspire future designers, builders, and leaders.

We encourage architects across Pennsylvania to take part in this meaningful statewide effort and help demonstrate how architecture can influence lives at every age. Volunteer to represent the profession, connect with your community, and inspire the next generation.

 Join the Volunteers

Stories and Design

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Library Association and Pennsylvania’s 67 county library systems, volunteer architects from AIA Pennsylvania will host interactive, hands-on sessions for K-5 students.

Each engaging storyhour will combine literacy and design thinking:

• Architecture-Themed Reading: Children will enjoy a reading of a specially selected architecture-themed children’s book, Iggy Peck, Architect. A copy of the book will be provided to each participating library system for their permanent collection.
• Guided Design Activity: Following the story, students will participate in a guided design activity, designing different built environments for specific animals and their communities.

Reaching Every County

This initiative aims to involve approximately 1,300 students statewide, with sessions planned for every county library system. By leveraging the reach of our partners at the Pennsylvania Library Association, we are ensuring that children in all corners of the state have the opportunity to participate in this enriching program.

Get Involved

Register to host an architect-led story hour and activity at your nearest county library system.

Sponsor the purchase of additional copies of Iggy Peck, Architect for distribution to Pennsylvania libraries.

Encourage teachers and librarians you know to lead architecture themed lessons and events.

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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:  

• Legislative Issues 
• Donate 

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.  

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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.  

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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.

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Call for Member Articles | Share Your Perspective

AIA Central Pennsylvania is seeking scholarly articles and blog contributions related to the profession for inclusion in our quarterly newsletter. This is a great opportunity to have your work published and shared with fellow architects and engineers throughout Central Pennsylvania.

We also welcome short updates about recently completed projects, lessons learned, or insights from conferences and professional events you’ve attended.

If you are interested in submitting an article or blog, please send your inquiry to Susan Frear, sfrear@aiapa.org. Contributing is a meaningful way to share your expertise, highlight innovative work, and support the professional growth of your peers.

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Membership Notes

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Upcoming Events

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REGISTER FOR UPCOMING AIA PA EVENTS.

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Job Opportunities

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

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