In September 2020, AIA New York’s Board of Directors adopted a position statement to decrease the architecture profession’s involvement in the design of criminal justice facilities under the current system. Among the action items outlined in the statement was the re-envisioning of the AIANY Architecture for Justice Committee, “to increase focus on large-scale justice issues and reduce the current emphasis on the design of criminal justice facilities.” The newly launched committee will develop programming and advocacy to help mitigate the intrinsic racism within the American criminal justice system, with a particular focus on exploring architecture’s role in oppression. We anticipate that the committee’s efforts will support and advocate for the creation of new systems, processes, and typologies based on prison reform, alternatives to imprisonment, and restorative justice.

We invite all those interested to join the dialogue and participate in the formation of the new Architecture for Justice Committee, regardless of their experience with the criminal justice system. Please join us for our Open Forum on Monday, January 25, 6-7:30 PM ET to discuss the committee’s new direction. If you cannot attend or have additional questions about the relaunch, please email membervoices@aiany.org.

More information will follow in the coming months; please stay tuned for further updates.