Dear friends and colleagues,

In January, we shared our excitement about the Boston Society for Architecture’s new strategic vision. This new direction will mobilize our community to address two of the most pressing issues confronting architecture and posing threats to our collective well-being: climate change and systemic inequity. This vision builds upon the BSA’s longstanding work, including: our Housing Fellowship partnership with the City of Boston around the Future Decker; our national program on embodied carbon; and our numerous community initiatives such as the design assistance project for Cambridge-based Food for Free. These are just a few examples of how we are marshalling the design community to drive meaningful change in Greater Boston, while building professional knowledge, deepening relationships, and expanding skills.

For the last several months, we have worked with IDEO, one of the world’s leading design firms, to construct a pathway to activate our commitment to build a just and sustainable Boston, together. Recently, IDEO completed their work during which they spoke with many of you— members, stakeholders, and representatives of peer organizations—to frame our vision and lay out a path to achieve our ambitions.

Now, the BSA staff and board are beginning a three-month endeavor of our own to activate and test the ideas and processes co-created with IDEO. Building upon the expertise of BSA’s creative community, as well as our history, our aim is to construct an innovative ecosystem that brings together people and ideas, providing a place to inspire what the tech world calls “creative collisions.” These collisions can result in innovative action that advance architecture while addressing equity and climate change.

As we work through these next steps, you will see a new model for staff and Board collaboration; a process for gathering ideas from our members, partners, and communities called the strategic activation map; and a new decision-making matrix to focus our efforts.

Throughout this process we want to hear from you. In the coming months, we will distribute member surveys, organize a fall town meeting, and orchestrate other ways for you to join the conversation about how the BSA can support you and the profession as we tackle climate change and inequity across Greater Boston. We also welcome your ideas at any time and encourage you to reach out to Eric directly at [email protected].

This is an exciting new era. We look forward to helping design a new future for the BSA – and for Greater Boston – together.