CEUs

1 LU/HSW

Cost

$10

Members of AIA, 2030 District, ACI, APA, ASCE, ASHRE, ASID, ASLA, ASPE, Boyer Guild, CNU, CSI, DesignLAB, Green Umbrella, IIDA, NAIOP, NAWIC, NOMA, SAME, SEGD, SMPS, ULI, or USGBC

$25

Non-Members

Location

Union Hall Classroom

Program Overview

Saam Architecture was founded in 2014 as a hybrid practice. Realizing this would be an experiment, the firm was structured to support remote work, “radical” flexibility, and unlimited vacation. Nearly ten years later, including the industry’s pandemic evolution to selective remote work, Saam remains a unique practice model. Saam co-founder and CEO Diana Nicklaus will share lessons learned from this business philosophy as well as how this practice model enables equity, attracts a diverse staff, and keeps talent in the profession.

Presented by AIA Cincinnati VISION.

Learning Objectives

• Identify HR policies that can contribute to a more equitable practice model understanding that building diverse teams benefits the design process from community engagement, to construction, through to the end-users of buildings

• Understand the financial barriers to diverse populations pursuing architecture as a degree and profession and opportunities to ameliorate those barriers

• Analyze a firm’s ability to reduce its carbon footprint through both remote and flexible work policies furthering the profession’s commitment to sustainability by practicing what we preach

• Outline the business case for offering more flexibility and remote work in the profession and summarize how flexibility can enhance the client relationship

Keynote Speaker

Diana Nicklaus, FAIA

In 2014, Diana co-founded Saam Architecture with the mission of delivering design excellence while providing a progressive HR model to attract top talent to an equitable environment. In doing so, Diana began an intentional experiment. She understood that a level playing field for all team members was essential to designing the firm she had envisioned throughout her career. After working in large firms for 15 years and experiencing the limitations of traditional practice, Diana reconciled her past experience and vision of supportive firm culture through a progressive practice model that empowers all team members to balance their work and life commitments.

Saam’s practice model quickly drew attention as an innovative, equitable, and new approach to practice. Audiences are both eager to learn more and often skeptical about how “radical” flexibility works without compromising design collaboration. Frequently asked questions inspired Diana to develop a shareable proof of concept intended to embolden others to become change agents.

From conversations hosted by the Boston Society of Architecture to national conferences (#EQxDV Symposium; AIA Women’s Leadership Summit), multiple AIA components have engaged Diana to speak on practice, including her role nationally as an Advisory Board Member for the Center for Practice. Diana has shared Saam’s experiment, highlighting how this model has emerged as a practice that is 88% women and includes team members from 9 countries who speak 11 languages. Diana’s approach, rooted in supportive teams and radical flexibility, has overcome many of the industry career pinch points for staff — moments of inflection where many often leave the profession.

Diana holds a B.A.in Art History from Tufts University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.

Visionary Sponsors

Guiding Partners

Armstrong Commercial Ceiling Systems

Pella Windows and Doors

Advisory Partners

Eastern Engineering

HAWA

Reading Rock, Inc.

THP Limited, Inc.

Consulting Sponsor

The Kleingers Group

Supporting Sponsors

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions - Mid America

Engineered Building Systems

Laforce Inc.

Continuing Education Details

Course Number: V2024.c

Instructional Delivery Method: live

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: 2.15.2027

Prerequisites: none

Program Level: beginner

Advance Learner Preparation: none

AIA CES Provider Statement

AIA Cincinnati is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 088. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.