We all belong in our own way to our own groups of people and communities. This publication belongs to our community of North Texas AIA members, allied members, sponsors, and advertisers. The work that we do as architects, the places we build, and the conversations we lead are rooted in our North Texas communities.
We took an opportunity in this issue to explore what it means to grow as an architect in our community, how our buildings can forge a sense of belonging, and how placemaking and urban design can create settings for engagement. But on the opposite side of the sense of belonging is the feeling of being disengaged and separated. The pandemic exposed very clearly how internet infrastructure impacted neighborhoods differently and intensified the hope that technology can promote greater equity.
As with most organizations during the pandemic, Columns has been reevaluating its process, goals, and potential to reach a larger audience and have a greater influence on the community. In recent years, the process, cost, and time to produce each printed magazine have become more cumbersome, especially given the volunteer nature of producing our magazine and dealing with uncontrollable paper shortages. Therefore, with the goal of creating more timely content that can be shared with a wider audience, the publication will start a new format in 2024 by publishing all articles quarterly on a new website platform.
To belong is also to grow and evolve as technology and people grow and evolve. At the beginning of 2022, James Adams, AIA passed along the editor in chief role to me. James had served both on the Columns committee and as editor for over 10 years and had spent his time trying to streamline processes to help with the transitions of volunteers. It is my goal now to lead the publication, its committee, and the advisory board into a digital age.
With this being our last quarterly publication in this format, we hope you enjoy our exploration of the theme of belonging as well as celebrate the chapter’s 75th anniversary with us.
Jenny Kiel Thomason, AIA
Editor in Chief
