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Session 1606

The Architectural Engineering Institute - A Professional Society for Architectural Engineers

Patricia S. Brown, P.E., Paul A. Seaburg, Ph.D., P.E. Architectural Engineering Institute/University of Nebraska at Omaha

On October 1, 1998, the National Society of Architectural Engineers (NSAE) merged with the Architectural Engineering Division (AED) of the American Society of Civil Engineers to create the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI).

It has long been recognized that lacking a strong national professional society, graduates of Architectural Engineering programs quickly lose their identity as Architectural Engineers. Both NSAE and AED have worked at correcting this problem, however the synergism provided by the AEI will be much more effective than either alone. In addition, the purpose of the AEI is to create a multi-disciplinary meeting place for the exchange of technical, educational and professional concerns for those involved in the building-related fields.

This paper briefly describes the history, current organization and future plans for the AEI. Special emphasis is on the relationships with student groups and support to the education process.

I. Introduction

The first Architectural Engineering (AE) program was offered at the University of Illinois. Penn State offers the longest continuously operating program. It has been accredited since 1935. There are currently 13 ABET accredited AE programs in the U.S. with at least two more under development.

In general, graduates of AE programs have aligned themselves professionally with other disciplines such as mechanical, structural, electrical or architecture. This is due to a lack of professional recognition which comes from a strong professional society and also the lack of profession engineer licensure designating them as Architectural Engineers. The Architectural Engineering Institute addresses both of these issues. It immediately provides a strong professional society. It is currently working at developing an appropriate professional registration exam for Architectural Engineering. It is accomplishing this by joining the strengths of the National Society of Architectural Engineers and the ASCE Architectural Engineering Division.

II. Development of the Architectural Engineering Institute

The Department of Architectural Engineering at Penn State University is credited with starting the first student organization. The Penn State Student Society of Architectural Engineering (SSAE) began in 1969 to provide a strong binder for its students. Other universities began similar groups including the Architectural Engineering Association at the University of Kansas. All faced similar challenges; namely, providing a professional organization for its students and instilling a professional attitude for their lifetime careers.

In 1981, Dr. Ronald N. Helms, while Chair of the Architectural Engineering Department at the

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Seaburg, P., & Brown, P. S. (1999, June), The Architectural Engineering Institute A Professional Society For Architectural Engineers Paper presented at 1999 Annual Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina. 10.18260/1-2--7663