Washington, D.C. – Jan 5, 2015 – Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, CEO of Richter Architects in Corpus Christi, Texas, was inaugurated as the 91st President of the AIA during ceremonies held on December 12 at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. She succeeds the 90th President, Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, in representing over 85,500 AIA members.
Born in Nanjing, China, Richter grew up in Hong Kong and Dallas, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974. In 2001, the American Institute of Architects conferred her with a national Young Architects Award in recognition of her community-sensitive designs and her leadership role in heightening the public's awareness of regional and urban issues through her award-winning public radio series, “The Shape of Texas,” which ran from 1998 to 2011. In 2005, she was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of her contributions of national significance in making the profession of ever-increasing service to the society. Richter served as President of the Texas Society of Architects in 2007 and, most recently, as a regional director representing Texas on the AIA’s National Board of Directors.
“As architects, we use our creativity to serve society—to make our communities better places to live. Through our profession and our life’s work, each of us has shaped and re-shaped the ever-changing narrative that is America in both humble and spectacular ways,” said Richter, in the Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, under Foster + Partners’ tessellated canopy. “We have created harmony where there was none. We have shown we can see what is not yet there. We have shown we have the courage to grow, to change, and to renew ourselves.”
Read more about Richter’s inauguration here:
http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB105073
About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, members of the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well being. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit
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