The American Medical Association has long held the stance that physicians shall not aid, enable, or participate in torture or executions. The American Nurses Association likewise stresses the importance of nurses upholding human rights, specifically for vulnerable populations including prisoners. Pharmaceutical companies have stopped selling certain drugs to state and federal agencies because they do not want their products to be used for executions. Doctors and nurses are widely considered to be ethical professionals... but what about architects?

The existing AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is more about professional practice than navigating ethical dilemmas. Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR) have petitioned the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to revise the Code of Ethics to align with other leading professions on issues of human rights—specifically for prisoners. They have proposed to revise the AIA Code of Ethics to prohibit architects from enabling torture or execution through their designs.

Come learn about the bounds of the existing AIA Code of Ethics, hear from ADPSR directly about their proposal, and participate in a conversation about how the Boston Society of Architects/AIA (BSA) can contribute to this national conversation.

Presenters
Shawn Hesse RA, LFA, LEED AP BD+C, O+M
vice president, Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility

Brad Walker AIA
principal, Ruhl Walker Architects; 2015 chair, AIA National Ethics Council

For those who qualify, 2.0 LU/HSWs are available.

RSVP