Page Senior Principal Receives International Appointment

This week, Page Senior Principal James M. Wright, FAIA, received a tremendous compliment from the AIA (American Institute of Architects). They announced that he, along with three other members, has been tapped to represent the United States on International Union of Architects (UIA) Commissions, a non-governmental organization recognized by the United Nations. These appointments ensure the American governing body of architecture will have a voice in specific issues facing the profession at a global level: professional practice, education, international competitions and sustainability.

James will serve as the AIA representative on the Professional Practice Commission, which is responsible for implementing international standards of professionalism in architectural practice. They are guided by an accord that was adopted by the UIA General Assembly in Beijing, PR China in 1999. It contains 18 policy statements and 14 fully developed guidelines regarding those policies. The commission continuously reviews the current relevance of the standards of practice, and develops new documents that are reviewed and adopted by the UIA Council on a regular basis.

Last year, James was elevated to Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, an honor reserved for those who have demonstrated significant contributions to the profession of architecture and society on a national level. Out of a total AIA membership of over 90,000, approximately only three percent of members are recognized as fellows. James was nominated for “advancing the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training or practice”. His forty years of experience working on overseas projects led to his involvement with the AIA International Practice Committee Advisory Group, which he chaired in 2014, as well as his appointment to the AIA International Region (IR) Board of Directors, a new region he helped found in 2012.

James subsequently served as the AIA IR Vice President in 2014, rising to President in 2015 and now serves as Immediate Past President. Under his leadership, the chapter successfully held two global conferences, which is a new annual benefit for members. Most recently he led the official AIA delegation at the triennial UIA (International Union of Architects) World Congress and Assembly in South Korea in the fall of 2017, where he consulted daily with all delegates from AIA, the largest member of the national sector of the UIA and also engaged with collateral organizations in attendance such as NCARB, NAAB and ACSA.

Others appointed are Marilys Nepomechie, FAIA, who will serve on the Education Commission and UIA/UNESCO Validation Council; Roger Schluntz, FAIA, who was appointed to the International Competitions Commission and Z Smith, AIA who will serve on the Commission on Sustainable Development.

Page congratulates all the appointees. To read the AIA announcement, click here.