Membership Benefits
- Access a range of expertise through a peer network of colleagues in the Silicon Valley area.
- Attend local networking and continuing education events hosted by AIA Silicon Valley.
- Join our Knowledge Communities to gain leadership skills and help raise the visibility of the profession in your community.
- Gain recognition and media exposure for your work by submitting to the annual Design Awards.
- Subscribe to our membership e-newsletter and our monthly continuing education e-newsletter.
- Explore this free practice resource available to AIA Members. Find the right coverage for yourself & your firms. Explore the AIA Trust
- Access a range of expertise through a peer network of over 90,000 colleagues.
- Signify that as an AIA architect you adhere to a professional code of ethics and share a common goal to build better a better world for all people.
- Public policies through a government advocacy legislative agenda to help create a more favorable environment in which to pursue your practice and career goals.
- AIA Contract Documents™, the most widely accepted standard form documents in the industry, prepared by the AIA in collaboration with owners, contractors, attorneys, architects, and engineers; available to members at a discount.
- Continuing education with hundreds of approved education providers, plus course tracking and on-demand access to your transcript.
- AIA KnowledgeNet gives you access to collective knowledge of thousands of members; a space to conduct discussions, find best practices and get to know other design professionals.
- Market research, salary surveys, economic analysis and business insights.
- Subscriptions to AIA Architect e-newsletter covering news, tips and trends; and ARCHITECT magazine.
AIA Fellows are recognized with AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society.
Architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence can become a member of the College of Fellows. Only 3% of AIA members have this distinction.
- AIA Trust protection through professional liability, term life, and other insurance coverage.
- AIA Career Center, the premier electronic recruitment resource to post opportunities at a discount or find opportunities for free.
- Architect Finder, an online directory where you can create a detailed profile for your firm, and potential clients can connect with you directly.
- AIA Advantage discounts on products and services such as shipping, credit cards, technology and more.
- Business Tools, such as best practices, to help you manage your business more effectively.
- Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct
Membership Types
Membership is tri-level, with local applicants also being required to join at the national and state levels. Join now as a registered architect, associate, or student.
Basic Member
AIA Silicon Valley created a unique category of membership aimed at unlicensed professionals. This category recognizes that it is in the long-term interest of the profession and this Chapter to encourage AIA membership for younger professionals, and the cost of membership dues is often a deterrent.
Unlicensed individuals working toward licensure qualify for a Basic Membership but are limited to three year duration from date of application
Benefits to an AIA Silicon Valley Basic Membership
- Free attendance at Monthly Chapter Programs (dinner meetings excluded)
- Opportunities to participate in Chapter Committees
- Access to the AIA Silicon Valley Library which includes study materials
$104/year
Student Affiliate
Open to students currently studying architecture or an affiliated major such as interior design, landscape architecture, engineering or another allied discpline.
Benefits to become a AIA Silicon Valley Student Affiliate
- AIA Silicon Valley Student Affiliate Members have the opportunity to network and connect with industry professionals through a wide variety of local events, chapter meetings, and panel discussions.
- Student members will be able to attend monthly chapter events and lunch and learns for free with paid membership.
- Student members will receive information on volunteer opportunities for larger events, such as the Architectural Intelligence conference, Design Awards, and Home Tours.
- Discount pricing on signature events.
Free
Upgrade Membership to Emeritus Status
If you have been an AIA (Architect or Associate) member for 15 successive years and you are 70 years old or incapacitated, you may be eligible to upgrade your membership to an Emeritus Subscriber Membership. This will result in much lower dues.
Please download the Emeritus Application here. Once you have completed the application, please email it to the AIA Silicon Valley Director, Kristen Werner, at [email protected] to begin the process.
*If you do not meet a specific requirement on the application, you may also need to submit a completed waiver request form. Please download the waiver request form here, and submit it via email with your application.
Transfer and Unaffiliated Membership
If you are currently a member of another chapter, and AIA Silicon Valley Chapter would be a better fit for you, you can transfer your chapter membership. Membership is based on your home or work address, so either address should be located in Santa Clara County. A second option is to become an Unaffiliated Member. This is a dual membership with your “home chapter” and AIA Silicon Valley.
Email us at [email protected] or call 408-298-0611 to get started.
Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in volunteering? As a member, you will have the opportunity to help shape the future of your profession and our community through chapter committees. Consider joining one of our many committees.
Sign up today with our volunteer form.
More Membership Benefits
Continuing Education
Shape your future with top-quality education from leaders in the field. You can earn AIA learning units (LUs) plus HSW, GBCI, and RIBA credits. You can also earn supplemental experience hours for NCARB’s Intern Development Program.
Advocacy
The AIA is your voice in policy and legislation at all levels of government. Our efforts, combined with the power of 85,000+ member advocates, help architects and design professionals protect their livelihood and make a difference.
Industry Research
Shape your business strategies with AIA research and market intelligence. Discover the latest practice trends and their impact on business and growth, see where the economy is heading, get compensation data for firm positions, and more.
Business & Career Resources
Establish a standout presence and take your career to the next level with AIA’s business and career resources. They’ll help you promote your work, make it easier to do business, and streamline the hiring and job search process.
New to the Profession
Over 21,000 of our members are young professionals, and more are joining every day. The AIA makes you a priority with resources to help you create your path and build your leadership skills.
AIA Convention
It’s one of the largest and most exciting annual gatherings of architects and design professionals in the U.S. The people, the ideas, the environment, and the setting all come together for an experience that will supercharge your year.
Recognition
Design excellence is revealed in many ways. The AIA’s 30+ award programs acknowledge and celebrate the diverse professional accomplishments and outstanding achievements of at every career stage.
Membership Discounts
Get exclusive discounts on the products and services you use most. You’ll save on Contract Documents, continuing education, master specifications, insurance, and more. Here’s an overview of the discounts you’ll enjoy as a member.
Publications
Stay on top of the field and what’s new at the AIA with free subscriptions to these publications. You may also subscribe to members-only publications through your state and local chapters. Please contact your chapter for more information.