Illya Azaroff has been inaugurated AIA 2026 president. The founder of +LAB architect and New York City College of Technology professor succeeds Evelyn Lee as the AIA’s 102nd president, after getting elected president of the AIA in June 2024.
“Architects are at the forefront of designing buildings and spaces that can withstand nature’s fury,” Azaroff affirmed in his inaugural address.
“As AIA President,” he continued, “I will work to ensure architects are empowered to create communities that are better prepared to deal with future disruptions.”
The AIA commended Azaroff for his multi-hyphenate background in architecture, geography, disaster response, climate adaptation, resilient design, and regenerative planning strategy the past 30 years.
The 2026 AIA president holds architecture degrees from Pratt Institute and University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and was previously 2021 AIA New York State president. He served on the AIA’s strategic council from 2016 through 2018, and founded the Design for Risk and Reconstruction (DFRR) committee while at AIA New York.
Azaroff attended COP30 in Brazil on behalf of the AIA. The year prior, he likewise represented the AIA at COP29 in Azerbaijan and later wrote about his experiences in Baku for AN.
The inauguration comes not long after Carole Wedge was named the AIA’s new executive director and CEO.
Outgoing president Evelyn Lee will remain on the AIA Board of Directors.
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