Innovation, Resilience, and Housing: Takeaways from the AIA Florida Convention
Insights from: Amy VanderMeer, AIA, and Sabrina Marano, AIA
This year’s AIA Florida Convention brought together architects, planners, developers, and industry leaders to explore the forces shaping the future of the profession. For FK Architecture team members Amy VanderMeer and Sabrina Marano, the conversations reinforced themes they are already seeing in practice, from technology and housing affordability to resilience and the economic forces influencing the built environment.
One of the strongest themes throughout the convention was how firms are responding to an increasingly unpredictable market. Many of the discussions focused on finding practical ways to improve internal processes, operate more efficiently, and continue delivering high-quality design. Emerging technologies, including AI, were frequently discussed to help streamline workflows, reduce errors, manage overhead, and strengthen client experience.
Importantly, AI is not being positioned as a replacement for architects. Instead, it is becoming another tool that can help teams work more productively, allowing them to spend more time on thoughtful design, meaningful collaboration, and responsive client service.
Resilience also emerged as an important topic throughout the event. Sabrina noted that resilience extends well beyond preparing for hurricanes or other natural disasters. It also includes designing communities that can adapt to changing housing needs, support long-term sustainability, address economic uncertainty, and remain functional as communities evolve.
Housing affordability and the need for “missing middle” housing were also central to the conversation. Amy and Sabrina also attended FK Architecture Principal Ken Linehan’s panel on Missing Middle Housing, which explored practical approaches to expanding housing options between single-family homes and large multifamily developments.
For Amy, the discussion was an encouraging example of professionals coming together to address a complex and pressing challenge.
“The session highlighted the value of bringing together architects, planners, developers, and local communities to rethink how we approach housing affordability and neighborhood development,” Amy said. “Meaningful progress happens through collaboration, education, and a shared commitment to solving complex challenges.”
Sabrina also emphasized the importance of architects working alongside local jurisdictions to help address housing demand. Conversations around zoning and urban regulations are essential, she said, to creating the conditions where architects and developers can deliver the middle housing options communities need.
The convention also offered a perspective on the broader economic factors influencing architecture across sectors. The session led by economist Michelle Russo was a standout, explaining how economic conditions affect the profession and the markets it serves.
Across the sessions and conversations, one lesson stood out: meaningful change does not always require sweeping transformation. More often, it comes from consistent, intentional improvements made over time.
For FK Architecture, the convention reinforced that innovation isn’t always about dramatic changes. It’s often the steady improvements to how teams collaborate, improve processes, adopt new technologies, and serve clients the greatest long-term value. Those daily decisions, paired with a commitment to resilient design and collaborative problem-solving, can create a lasting impact for our clients and the communities they serve.