President's Message Fall 2021

Fall 2021 

Over the past few months, we had the opportunity to tour Klover’s prefabrication plant in Quakertown and were guided through the construction site of Lehigh University’s new Health, Science, and Technology Building in Bethlehem. Although virtual events allowed us to expand our reach and enabled us the ability to offer new and interesting topics, nothing compares to the in-person tour opportunities!

We will continue moving forward with in person events including our upcoming Summer Picnic and Second Annual Kickball Summer Showdown with CSI, our Fall Series featuring Karl Backus, former Principal of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, a behind the scenes tour of Bethlehem Steel’s History, and a tour of Lafayette College’s new Rockwell Center. Having adopted virtual tools this past year, we will continue to offer online seminars for educational opportunities and will continue offering interesting topics offered by other AIA chapters.

Our chapter will continue strengthening its relationships with other local organizations such as CSI Greater Lehigh Valley, Green Building United, CREW, COAA, and local colleges. We believe that developing these relationships with non-architects, other industry professionals, and students can open new insights and opportunities that we can then bring back to our firms and our communities.

I would like reiterate why we’re here through our following mission statement:

‘To serve the community of architects and allied professionals through education and advocacy. To elevate public awareness of our profession. To encourage and nurture emerging professionals.’

On behalf of our board, we are looking forward to the year ahead and hope to see your continued support and participation. If you are interested in getting involved or have ideas to further grow and evolve our chapter, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us on the board!

We’ll see you soon.

Jared Bilsak, AIA, CSI, LEED AP, WELL AP, CDT