Jordan Luther - AIAS  

Listen in to this compelling interview discussing the recent AIA Student Forum in Austin, highlighting its decentralized approach that allowed students to engage with the city's culture and firms. Our guest, Jordan Luther is the sitting president of AIA Students (AIAS), and outlines the organization's mission to promote leadership, design, and service among students globally. The discussion covers key challenges in the architecture profession, including the disconnect between academic expectations and professional realities, work-life balance, and the need for meaningful equity and sustainability efforts. The guest emphasizes AIAS initiatives such as Freedom by Design, which encourages students to collaborate with communities on impactful projects. The importance of mentorship, professional networking, and advocacy for a healthier architecture culture is also explored, along with AIAS’s efforts to expand its influence and support students worldwide.

Photo courtesy of AIAS

Aaron Prinz is the host of the Design:ED Podcast and holds a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He was born and raised in the rural Northern California town of Red Bluff, just two hours south of the Oregon border. After one year of college, Prinz relocated to San Francisco to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. At age 26, he began studying architecture at Portland State University while interning at Studio Petretti Architecture led by Amanda Petretti. His professional contributions while at Studio Petretti were focused on a portion of the new Multnomah County Courthouse which is a prominent addition to the Portland skyline. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Roxanne where he continues to work as a designer.