An Evening with Kimberly Dowdell: Strengthening Ties & Sharing Perspectives
Fiona Mckay
Attendees with Kimberly. Photo by Gregory Fonseca, AIA.
This article recounts the highlights of the recent dinner hosted by the AIA UK at 67 Pall Mall on Friday, July 14th, 2023. The event brought together the executive committee of AIA UK, including President Gregory Fonseca, Vice President Taylor Rogers, Treasurer Alex Miller, and Secretary Adelina Koleva. Also attending were Lorraine King and Lester Korzilius from AIA UK.
The guest of honour for the evening was Kimberly Dowdell AIA, who holds the titles of 2023 First VP/2024 President-elect at AIA National. Kimberly had recently returned from the UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen with the AIA National delegation when she kindly made time to meet with AIA UK representatives during her stay in London.
The dinner served as an opportunity to discuss various matters concerning the architecture profession and strengthen the connection between AIA UK and AIA National. President Gregory Fonseca had arranged the meeting with Kimberly after she expressed interest in meeting with the AIA UK executive committee during her time in London.
One of the topics discussed was Vice President Taylor Rogers' research into adding AIA UK to the HMRC list, which is currently under investigation. Such a move could potentially offer UK tax relief benefits for firms and members with AIA UK Membership dues. Kimberly Dowdell expressed support for this idea, seeing it as a sensible request.
In addition to administrative matters, the group engaged in conversations about the state of the architectural profession in general. They discussed concerns about the perceived undervaluation and underpayment of architects, a sentiment shared by many across borders. Kimberly Dowdell offered valuable insights on how this issue could be addressed through policymaking at the Washington, D.C. level. She was keen to hear the thoughts of others at the table and shared her recent transatlantic discussion with Muyiwa Oki, the 2023-205 RIBA President, on architectural leadership.
Amidst these discussions, Kimberly asked everyone at the table to share stories of how they began their architectural journeys, and how they came to be in London. Her own journey was particularly interesting, starting in Detroit with a fascination for a downtown department store that unfortunately no longer stands. Despite this setback, she pursued a career in architecture, becoming Principal at HOK and holding significant leadership positions within NOMA and AIA.
The evening was not just about business; it was also a time for enjoyment. Attendees had the pleasure of sampling delicious food-wine pairings, thanks to President Gregory Fonseca's extensive knowledge. The atmosphere was warm and convivial as attendees engaged in casual conversations about life in London, the MRA agreement, and other architectural interests.
Kimberly Dowdell's presence left the group with the impression of being an intelligent listener and gifted conversationalist. The AIA UK extends their appreciation to Kimberly for taking the time to meet with representatives and exchange insights.
The AIA UK is committed to fostering meaningful connections with leaders like Kimberly Dowdell to strengthen ties with AIA National and address international challenges facing the architectural profession. Thank you to all those who attended the dinner and contributed to its success through active participation!
Written by Adelina Koleva, AIA
