The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Nevada Records (approximately 1980-2020) contain the organizational files of AIA Nevada and AIA Las Vegas, as well as submissions for the annual Design & Service awards. The organizational records include planning binders for annual conferences, directories, event photographs, meeting agendas and minutes, and digital files. The Design and Service project submissions primarily pertain to Las Vegas, Nevada, but include other locations throughout Nevada, the United States, and internationally. Project types include residences, commercial buildings, public facilities, and educational buildings.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Nevada Records (approximately 1980-2020) contain the organizational files of AIA Nevada and AIA Las Vegas, as well as submissions for the annual Design & Service awards. The organizational records include planning binders for annual conferences, directories, event photographs, meeting agendas and minutes, and digital files. The Design and Service project submissions primarily pertain to Las Vegas, Nevada, but include other locations throughout Nevada, the United States, and internationally. Project types include residences, commercial buildings, public facilities, and educational buildings.
The digital files in this collection are unprocessed. Arrangements must be made in advance to access digital files; please contact UNLV Special Collections and Archives for additional information.
This material is made available to facilitate private study, scholarship, or research. Material in this collection may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by UNLV. Users are responsible for determining whether permissions are necessary from rights owners for any intended use and for obtaining all required permissions. Please contact UNLV Special Collections and Archives (special.collections@unlv.edu) for additional information.
The records are organized into organizational files and award submissions.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Las Vegas Chapter’s roots date back to 1939, when architects in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada formed the Nevada State Association of Architects (NSAA). Within ten years, the NSAA created a state architectural registration law and a regulatory body, allowing for the Nevada State Board of Architecture's establishment. The first state board members were architects Leman Ferris, Russell Mills, and Edward Persons of Reno, as well as architects Aloysius McDonald and Walter F. Zick of Las Vegas.
In 1949, NSAA members reestablished themselves as the AIA Nevada Chapter. The chapter originally met in Tonopah, Nevada as a midway point between Reno and Las Vegas, but its members regarded the travel distance as too great. In 1954, Las Vegas architects requested a charter from the AIA to create the AIA Las Vegas Chapter, while the remaining members reestablished themselves as the AIA Reno Chapter. The AIA Las Vegas Chapter was officially established on January 6, 1956, with Walter F. Zick serving as the first president. Since then, both chapters have worked toward protecting the architectural profession and raising the quality of architectural design. The two chapters are collectively known as AIA Nevada.
Projects and services associated with AIA Nevada include city master planning, firm advertisement, outreach programs, and scholarships for Nevada architectural students. AIA Nevada also holds the Nevada Design & Service Awards annually, which includes the AIA Nevada Distinguished Service Awards and the AIA Nevada Excellence In Design Awards sub-programs. These awards highlight significant projects by Nevada-based architects and designers to elevate architecture's standard of quality.
Source:
Lavigne, Randy. “History of AIA LV.” AIA Las Vegas. 2006. Accessed June 26, 2019. https://www.aialasvegas.org/page/2
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Nevada Design & Service Awards Records, approximately 1980-2020. MS-00897. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f1m65n
Materials were donated in 2018 by the American Institute of Architects Las Vegas Chapter; accession number 2018-045. Additional materials were donated in 2026 by the AIA Las Vegas and AIA Nevada chapters; accession number 2026-007.
In 2019, Tammi Kim and Jimmy Chang processed the digital materials stored on USB flash drives and optical discs. Some files were damaged or corrupted, and access copies were not created. Jimmy Chang then wrote the finding aid and entered the data into ArchivesSpace. In 2026, Landon Paljusaj accessioned the 2026 accession. Alyssa Lalos and Elaina Rieck rehoused the material, created an inventory, and updating the finding aid in ArchivesSpace. The digital files on optical discs and floppy disks from 2026 addition remain unprocessed.