President’s Message

Dear AIA El Paso Members,

As the year comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as your AIA Chapter President in 2024. It has truly been an incredible year, filled with progress, collaboration, and growth. Together, we strengthened our community engagement and advocacy for the profession, achieving remarkable milestones that will benefit our members and the communities we serve.

Our events this year were not only impactful but also financially successful, generating substantial revenue that will fund scholarships for the next generation of architects. Our subcommittees, including Women in Architecture (WiA) and Advocacy, thrived with their initiatives, building momentum that will carry into 2025. Beyond the office, we took the time to connect, exercise, and enjoy our beautiful city, fostering stronger bonds within our chapter.

To every member, associate, and professional affiliate, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and contributions to making 2024 such an outstanding year.

It is now my honor to introduce our 2025 President, Lorena Holguín. Lorena was instrumental in driving the chapter’s successes this year, and I am confident she will continue to lead us to new heights in the year ahead.

We look forward to celebrating with you at the AIA Awards Gala this January. Until then, I wish you and your families a safe and joyous holiday season.

Rida Asfahani, AIA
AIA El Paso Chapter | 2024 President

2025 Newly Licensed Emerging Professional

Please join us in congratulating Eloisa McGill on completing his Architect Registration Exams and fulfilling the requirements to become a registered Texas Architect.

Q. Can you describe your journey to becoming a licensed Architect?

A. My licensure journey started in 2018 – right when the exam updated from version 4 to 5. I realized after failing three exams in a row that the study material packets were just 4.0 rearranged & didn’t really encompass the new exam format or material. So I paused & started gathering the books from the matrix in the guidebook – there are a lot. Then in 2020 I was finally ready to start studying again but covid created its chaos; I decided to wait it out, again, & see what would become the new normal. In 2021 I went to my first TX Architect Convention in San Antonio & decided I did not want to wait anymore. A month later, I passed my first one.

I think “Balance” in this case means you understand how to manage the expectations you put on yourself. Everyone wants to be one & done for the whole thing – that expectation takes a lot out of you when it doesn’t happen. Be kind to yourself – at least try to be. I wasn’t near the end, & my health declined because of it – I was so stressed out, I gained weight, I couldn’t sleep, & I’m positive this is where my few canas are from. I even sprouted a white eyelash!

The most memorable (albeit awful) moment was when I failed one of the exams for the 3rd time in a year. It was disappointing because it was the only one I had left so there was nothing else to move on to. I still had 2 years on my clock so I was mostly just annoyed & angry I’d have to wait 6 months to take it again. Then the clock was removed in Texas. That day I knew, even if I had to take this one single exam 12 more times, I was going to complete the ARE. My last exam, I had major technical issues half-way through & by the time I was finishing I had more, so I didn’t see the provisional score. I didn’t know I passed until 10 days later, the Sunday after the TX Architect convention in Houston – & I refreshed the page about 6 times before I grasped what I was reading. I was so relieved I’d finally passed; I think I left all my stress (and that white eyelash) in the hotel room.

Q. Now that you’re licensed what are your immediate professional goals?

A. For me, the license means becoming a partner at Fokus – something I did not expect. Several people I work with outside the firm, mostly contractors - are like “finally!” I think many of them believed in me more than I did – it’s quite humbling to know just how many of them are confident I’ll be good at this. It is both exciting & terrifying to be licensed. I feel ready some days, & then others I don’t – the impostor syndrome is real. I finally introduced myself to someone as an Architect the other day – my inside brain me’s were what I imagine Elle Woods felt like when she squeaks “we did it!” The new goal is to morph into a leader & hopefully a mentor – much like the ones I’ve had these 10 years. I’ve learned so much from every single person in the Fokus office – & I’m not done learning yet. The need for personal growth is inevitable now, so let’s see if I can properly fill these shoes – although I still prefer my tall boots.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in your professional career. Well done! We wish you the best of luck on your architectural journey that lies ahead.

TxA Annual Conference Sponsorship Program

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) El Paso Chapter is pleased to announce a $1,500 sponsorship program for emerging professionals to attend the 2025 Texas Society of Architects (TxA) Annual Conference.

Sponsorship Goals:

Foster professional growth and development
Encourage leadership and networking opportunities
Support the advancement of architectural excellence in El Paso

Application Requirements and Eligibility:

Active membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) El Paso Chapter.
Newly licensed Architect in the State of Texas within the last 12 months.
Commitment to attending the Texas Society of Architects (TxA) Conference.

Awarded Applicant

$1,500.00 reimbursement from used funds for travel and lodging costs.
Provides expense report to AIA El Paso Chapter within 4 weeks of the end of the conference.
Provide receipt of attendance of the 2025 TxA Convention.
Provide a copy of the diploma received at the New Architect Convocation if applicable.

Selection Criteria:

Professional achievements
Community involvement

Potential for leadership and impact

Download Application

CALL FOR SPONSORS

Proceeds to benefit AIA El Paso’s Architecture Students & Emerging Professionals

Dear Sponsors:

Each year the El Paso Chapter of the American Institute of Architects hosts an Architecture Gala to celebrate excellence in architectural design in our city. AIA El Paso will host our annual Architecture Gala event (Powered by PechaKucha) on Friday, January 31, 2025 downtown at the Hotel Paso del Norte.

The expected attendance will be 250 participants including architects, developers, contractors, consultants, manufacturer representatives, and other construction industry leaders. Invitations will also be extended to local government leaders and community partners to the construction industry.

A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit El Paso Emerging Professionals pursuing licensure and will fund scholarship endowments benefiting El Paso architecture students with scholarships in perpetuity.

Please take a moment to review the sponsorship levels available this year. We trust that you will find a sponsorship opportunity suited to your company’s needs. Once you’ve made your selection, send an email to johnbreyes10@yahoo.com

We truly appreciate your support of this event and for furthering architecture excellence in the El Paso community!