New AIA President to Focus on Sustainability

RK Stewart, FAIA, of Gensler was inaugurated as the 83rd president of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in December 2006. Stewart served as vice president of AIA from 2005 to 2006 and will succeed Katherine Schwennsen, FAIA. Central to his goals for AIA are increasing awareness of sustainability and reducing buildings’ consumption of fossil fuels, Stewart said in his inaugural speech, adding that “the need to change how we inhabit the planet to avoid catastrophic consequences is now widely accepted.” Stewart promised to “aggressively advance sustainable design” among AIA membership and beyond.