About

Our Mission

The Boston Society for Architecture’s (BSA) mission is to improve the quality of life for Boston-area residents by championing innovation in the built environment.

We deliver on our mission through two connected streams of work:

• Enabling architects to excel in their profession by offering education and networking opportunities, and advocating for the profession at local, state, and national levels.
• Catalyzing and collaborating on innovation initiatives aimed at addressing equity and sustainability challenges in the built environment.

These streams of work are synergistic: architects apply their skills to collaborative initiatives, which in turn inform their knowledge and capabilities. Both are designed to ensure a thriving architectural community that is tackling the issues of our era.

Our Vision

Our vision is to solve critical equity and sustainability challenges related to the built environment.

We aim to realize this vision by activating our network of architects, engineers, developers, policymakers, community members—and new partners—to work together to design and test solutions to today’s most demanding problems. Our goal is to lift these solutions up as models that can be adopted locally, nationally, and internationally.

We believe…

Systemic change requires deep partnerships.

We curate ideas that activate our vast network to influence broader ecosystems.

Progress demands diverse perspectives.

We embrace inclusivity, as everyone has a role to play to drive equitable outcomes in the built environment.

Climate and equity are connected.

We understand that climate change impacts communities that are the least responsible and most vulnerable.

For true impact, we need action and audacity.

We think big and take risks on innovative solutions alongside local communities and partners.

Transformative work is never done.

We imagine and build desirable futures through continuous collaboration and experimentation with our network.

The BSA

The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) is a partnership between the Boston Society of Architects (BSA/AIA) and the BSA Foundation (Foundation). The BSA operates as a convener, educator, and action leader to ensure that the power of design is fully employed in creating solutions to the equity and climate crises of our time.

As a member-led association, the BSA/AIA is one of the oldest and largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the United States. Comprised of world-renowned architects, designers, engineers, builders, and other industry professionals, we benefit from a committed membership who are some of the leading thinkers and innovators in professional practice today. The Foundation is a community organization dedicated to improving lives for all in Greater Boston through design.

Get Involved

Learn more about supporting our work and becoming a member of the BSA.