The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced that former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama will deliver the keynote speech on the opening day of the 2017 AIA Conference on Architecture.
Obama will address AIA members as part of the organisation’s annual Conference on Architecture, which will take place in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center from 27 to 29 April.
Obama leads a host of initiatives designed to support women, families and young people across areas such as health, education and employment.
"Over the last eight years while in the White House, former first lady Michelle Obama has worked tirelessly to champion a number of important initiatives designed to make our world a better place," said the AIA, confirming her involvement in a statement.
The topic of the speech for the AIA has not been revealed. However, Obama, along with her husband, former US president Barack Obama, has previously demonstrated an interest in architecture, and the couple are collaborating closely with New York practice Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
on the the forthcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Other AIA keynote speakers will include architects Elizabeth Diller, Pritzker Prize winner Alejandro Aravena and
2017 Serpentine Pavilion designer Diébédo Francis Kéré, who will speak together at an event called ‘Anticipate Need: Design that Cares.’
Other events are titled ‘Anticipate Change: Design that Evolves’, ‘Anticipate Change: What's Next in Architecture’, and ‘Anticipate Challenge: Design that Overcomes’.
Perkins+Will associate Eve Edelstein, architect Cheryl McAfee and Harvard professor Amy Cuddy are among the industry professionals scheduled to speak.
The AIA Convention will take place from April 27-29. The institute’s members will gather to network, participate in workshops and discuss developing trends in architecture and design. A 170,000sq ft Expo showcasing products and materials, from software and building systems to stone and tile, will be be held concurrently.
