The Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) is a Knowledge Community within the American Institute of Architects (AIA) that specifically represents the interests of residential architects within the AIA and works to promote residential architects to our potential clients in the public realm. CRAN was the first grassroots Knowledge Community—in 2011, AIA granted CRAN Knowledge Community status after CRAN petitioned AIA.
CRAN has an energetic and committed advisory group made up of custom residential architects from across the U.S. who work hard to support residential architects through several efforts:
The annual CRAN symposium typically occurs in the fall and draws 250 to 350 members for a few days of education sessions, a home tour, and lots of opportunities for networking with other residential practitioners and product representatives. Past symposiums have been held in Austin, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind.; Newport, R.I.; Charleston, SC; Minneapolis; and Santa Rosa, Calif. Our next symposium will be held in Miami from September 17 through 20.
CRAN has partnered with ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) to organize a student design competition called Here + Now: A House for the 21st century for the 2016-2017 academic year.
The goal is to encourage architecture students to consider residential architecture as a career choice. http:// www.acsa-arch.org/programs-events/competitions/2016-2017-housing-competition.
CRANtv is an effort to demystify the process of working with an architect to design a home. Videos are available on our CRANtv YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/CRANtv
CRAN works with AIA to provide content to the AIA National Convention especially geared to residential architects. Past programs organized by CRAN include:
• Profiting From Design Build for a Residential Practice
• The NEW Collaboration Between Residential Architects and Custom Home Builders
• Developing Rock-Star Presentation Skills for Emerging Professionals!
CRAN grants is our latest program now under development for 2017 and beyond to support local communities of residential architects. Stay tuned for more information.
If you are interested in joining our vibrant CRAN community, sign up for our list serve at www.aia.org/cran.
We’d love to have you join us.
—Dawn Zuber, Chair, AIA CRAN