On Friday, April 24, Associate members and supporters of AIA Arizona gathered at Taliesin West for an afternoon of programming that featured a compelling series of presentations exploring radical optimism in the architecture and design profession, inspiring meaningful dialogue and fresh perspectives. The Gathering concluded with a self-guided tour and reception, offering attendees the opportunity to connect in such an iconic setting.
This annual event was planned and produced by and for Associate members—emerging professionals who are on the path to licensure. Attendees learned from excellent speakers, and were able to connect with each other. Planning for the event was led by AIA Arizona Associates Director Ally Kwan, Assoc. AIA, of Jones Studio, and the AIA Arizona Associates Committee.
Speakers included:Chris Cornelius, owner of studio:indigenous, and Professor of Architecture at The University of New Mexico; Ian Dickenson, AIA, Associate Principal at Sasaki in Los Angeles; and Teresa Rosano, AIA, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona CAPLA.
Attendees also heard from 2026 AIA Phoenix Metro President Andrea Hardy, AIA, Associate Principal at Shepley Bulfinch in Phoenix and Riley Hausman, AIA, Architect at Corgan in Phoenix, who shared insights into the path to licensure and strategies for navigating the ARE exams while highlighting resources available to emerging professionals as they move forward in their careers.
Presentations concluded with a discussion focused on Taliesin West restoration and preservation with Rebecca Barron, Director of Preservation at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation; Evan Emery, AIA Arizona Allied Member, and Designer / Fabrication Specialist at 180 Degrees Design + Build; and Guillaume Evain, Assoc. AIA, Design Director at 180 Degrees Design + Build.
The theme for the day was Radical Optimism—a mindset grounded in imagining and creating better futures, even amid uncertainty or constraint. Rather than naïve positivity, this is a disciplined belief in design’s capacity to meaningfully improve the human experience, reshape systems, and challenge what is considered “impossible.” Optimism as a method, not a mood. As AIA Associates, radical optimism is not a fleeting mindset, but a continual tool we build and refine throughout our careers. It asks us to remember the joy in designing—and to channel that joy into solving the urgent problems of today while boldly shaping the possibilities of tomorrow.
AIA Arizona Associates Gathering Chair Ally Kwan, Assoc. AIA, welcomes attendees and introduces the event.AIA Arizona Executive Director John Czarnecki gives opening remarks.President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Joseph Specter welcomes attendees to Taliesin West.Teresa Rosano, AIA, Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona CAPLA, shares a compelling perspective on navigating non-linear career paths—using her own journey from practice to education.Ian Dickenson, AIA, Associate Principal at Sasaki in Los Angeles, gives insights into the continuity between personal process and professional practice.Riley Hausman, AIA, Architect at Corgan (left), and 2026 AIA Phoenix Metro President Andrea Hardy, AIA, Associate Principal at Shepley Bulfinch, detail the path to licensure and ARE exam resources.2026 AIA Phoenix Metro President Andrea Hardy, AIA, Associate Principal at Shepley Bulfinch (right), and Riley Hausman, AIA, Architect at Corgan, shared insights into the path to licensure and strategies for navigating the ARE exams.Chris Cornelius explores the question of “what are the things I am going to leave behind,” framing contemporary Indigenous architecture.Rebecca Barron, Director of Preservation at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, discusses Wright’s legacy through optimism.Evan Emery, Fabrication Specialist at The Guild / 180 Degrees Design + Build highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping preservation workflows.Guillaume Evain, Assoc. AIA, Design Director at 180 Degrees Design + Build, speaks to how scale, tolerance, and precision in emerging tools inform more responsive preservation strategies.Rebecca Barron, Guillaume Evain, Assoc. AIA, and Evan Emery engage in a Q&A with audience members.2026 AIA Arizona Associates Gathering Committee with President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Joseph Specter at Taliesin West. From left: Johnson Joseph Jeyakumar, Assoc. AIA; Cameron Noble, Assoc. AIA; Patricia Molina, Assoc. AIA; Brooke Sands, Assoc. AIA; Nathan Becenti, Assoc. AIA; AIA Arizona Associates Gathering Chair Ally Kwan, Assoc. AIA; Alisa Hernandez, Assoc. AIA; AIA Arizona Executive Director John Czarnecki; President and CEO of Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Joseph Specter; and AIA Arizona Senior Membership Manager Sarah Levi.Attendees enjoy a reception on the Music Pavilion Terrace at Taliesin West.Attendees participate in a self-guided tour of Taliesin West.A peak into the preservation efforts in the Studio at Taliesin West.Attendees enjoy a closing reception at Taliesin West.
Thank you to our 2026 Associates Gathering Sponsors!
