Bay Area Young Architects (BAYA)

BAYA connects designers, students and newly licensed architects for networking, volunteer opportunities and social events. With over 800 members, BAYA is the most active AIA committee for young architects nationwide. Our goal is to involve young architects from graduation to licensure with the architectural community. We have monthly meetings to announce our activities, other architecture related events, volunteer opportunities and to discuss topics relevant to the architecture profession.

Each month a local architecture firm hosts and gives a brief presentation of their work. This is an opportunity for young architects to learn about the different practices in the city, as well as a chance for the hosting firm to present it self and attract new talent. We also organize monthly mixers around the city and a number of special events throughout the year.

BAYA meetings are free to attend for everyone in the architecture profession. Our membership is open to all non-licensed professionals and architects licensed for less than 10 years in the Bay Area whether or not a member of a local AIA chapter.

Firm Visits: 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (location varies; mixer following)
Mixers: 4th Thursday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, (location varies)

If you are interested in hosting a future BAYA event, please contact Wesley Wong (Public Relations and Outreach Officer) at wesleyr.wong@gmail.com.

On Thursday, April 11, a limited number of BAYA members met at David Baker + Partners Architects for a tour and presentation on the firm's work.

With experience in a wide range of project types and especially honed experience in various types of housing, the DB+P is passionate about furthering dialogue about urban issues, and participates in many community events and charitable activities.

Bay Area Young Architects recently hosted BAYA Presents, a series of brief presentations about a broad range of design-related topics. From solutions for flaws in the typical studio setup to navigating the job market when the economy is rough, presenters provided succinct and thought-provoking perspectives on the architectural field.

SmithgroupJJR hosted BAYA's February firm meeting.

SmithgroupJJR on its design philosophy: "Great design is about cultivating client relationships where creativity can flourish. It's about listening to and collaborating with clients to understand their needs and their objectives -- and then coming up with design solutions that are unique and meaningful and hit the bulls-eye of their expectations every time. It's about striving and not settling. It's about upping the artistic ante and creating something that packs an emotional wallop -- but it's a wallop backed up with empirical knowledge, solid engineering and detailed execution. It's less about big talk and more about big ideas, ideas that resonate within the hearts and minds of our clients and their constituents."

Bay Area Young Architects held its first meeting of the new year on January 10th at Cannon Design.

Cannon is an ideas based practice, ranked among the leading international firms in planning and design for healthcare, science & technology, education, sports & recreation, commercial and government clients. At present, the firm employs a staff of over 1,000, delivering services in 15 offices throughout North America, as well as abroad in Shanghai, China, and Mumbai, India.