Arizona Architecture Foundation

We were honored to be a Title Sponsor of the 2026 AIA Arizona Associates Gathering - a sold-out afternoon at Taliesin West.

This year's theme, Radical Optimism, is a disciplined belief that good design can solve real problems - the same spirit behind our mission of supporting emerging architects through grants, scholarships, and registration exam funding.

This year's event was led by Ally Kwan, herself a 2025 ARE grant recipient, a full-circle reminder of why we invest in emerging professionals in the first place. Congratulations to the entire Associates Gathering Committee for another outstanding event.

This beloved tournament has been a cornerstone of our community for over four decades, bringing together architects, consultants, product representatives, clients, and friends for a day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back.

Every dollar raised directly supports the Arizona Architecture Foundation mission — funding architecture education, promoting design excellence, and preserving Arizona's architectural legacy.

Register at https://aafgolftournament.com/

2026 Summer Summit — The Arizona Architecture Foundation was invited to host this bi-annual event at Taliesin West's Atrium, courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

What went down? A review of our Winter Summit minutes followed by updates from President Caroline Lobo, Secretary Brandon Benzing, and our committees: Treasury, Investments, Fundraising, Social Media/Marketing, Golf, Grants, Travel, and Archives.

What sets us a part? Three things we're proud of:

Our Schools of Architecture Collaborative — a unique initiative bringing together representation from every Arizona university offering an architecture degree: Arizona State University, The School of Architecture, and the The University of Arizona. Because the future of the profession starts with the next generation.

Our Partnership with AIA Arizona — a powerful alliance that strengthens the architecture community statewide, connecting professionals, students, and thought leaders under a shared commitment to design excellence and advocacy.

Representation of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation — a distinction that roots us in Arizona's most iconic architectural legacy. From Taliesin West to the communities it continues to inspire, this connection reinforces our statewide presence and our deep respect for the visionary design that defines our built environment.

Together, all organizations don't just collaborate — we hold each other accountable. Each provides regular progress updates and impact reports, ensuring our collective work is transparent, measurable, and moving the profession forward.

From dirt roads to a vibrant cultural hub — Mill Avenue's transformation is a story told in blueprints, brick, and community vision. Last month, industry professionals and students gathered for an evening of rich conversation and discovery at our Architectural Archives Event, exploring the decades of development and revitalization that shaped one of Arizona's most iconic corridors.

Moments like these remind us why preserving and sharing our architectural history matters.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, friends, and colleagues who helped make this evening both possible and memorable.

Spotted: AAF past president James Trahan and member Shawn Swisher at the The American Institute of Architects conference in San Diego!

Before he won the Pritzker Prize, Tadao Ando stood in Arizona as our 1993 Curt Schafer Lecture Series speaker and his ideas have only grown more influential since.

A self-taught architect from Osaka, Japan, he built his philosophy around raw concrete, natural light, and silence. His buildings don't compete with their surroundings, they breathe with them. Water, wind, and shadow are as much a part of his designs as the walls themselves.

We're proud to have brought his vision to Arizona over 30 years ago and even prouder to keep championing the architects who shape the way we see the world.

🏛️ Who is an architect whose work has stayed with you? Tell us below.

Photo by Photo by Wan Chen on Unsplash

The Arizona Architecture Foundation is proud to sponsor The School of Architecture Lecture Series and the meaningful connections it fosters across our community.

Evenings like this one — where students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders gather around a shared passion for architecture — reflect the very heart of our mission.

We look forward to another inspiring season this fall.

🎟️ FREE TICKETS FOR STUDENTS!

We have a limited number of complimentary general admission tickets available — sponsored by our generous firms and architects. First come, first served!

Interested? Direct message us your first name, last name, and school email to claim yours.

📅 TOMORROW — May 19, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Evie's Pavilion at Papago Golf Club

Don’t miss the chance to hear a panel discussion with leading experts in the field on the “Mill Avenue Development to Revitalization Over the Decades”.

This is an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and get inspired.

Image credit Downtown Tempe - Mill Avenue & Lake Districts