STIM Talks
The STIM Talks series was founded by Chapter member James Horn AIA in 2016.
It was created to raise issues and provoke (stimulate!) discussion about the profession of architecture.
STIM Talks 2025: Exploring the Future of Architecture
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The AIA Santa Fe STIM Talks bring together architects, allied professionals, and community leaders to examine the issues shaping our profession and our communities. In alignment with the National Board of The American Institute of Architects, our 2025 programming highlights three key priorities:
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Artificial Intelligence – Understanding how AI is transforming design, practice, and the built environment.
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Housing and Development – Addressing the urgent need for affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing solutions.
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Climate and Resilience – Advancing strategies to design with nature, reduce carbon impact, and strengthen community resilience.​
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STIM provides a forum to explore these priorities in a way that is both nationally relevant and locally meaningful.
CLIMATE AND RESILIENCY
Wednesday November 19 2025 | 5 pm to 7 pm | 5 pm to 7 pm | 2.0 LU/HSW
HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT
Wednesday September 17 2025 | 5 pm to 7 pm | 2.0 LU/HSW
Housing is a basic human need, but affordable housing is increasingly unattainable for a large portion of Santa Fe.
Our second STIM talk of 2025 was an interactive event exploring the following:
- What does it mean to be a resilient, healthy community?
- How can we expand access to housing while emphasizing equity, spurring sustainability, conserving water, protecting public health, and supporting an aging community?
- What is the impact of non-owner-occupied homes (e.g. second homes, investment homes, and short-term rentals) on the availability of housing in Santa Fe? Is affordable housing possible in an economy where provision of basic services is intertwined with a speculative asset market?
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Wednesday April 2 2025 | 5 pm to 7 pm | 2.0 LU/HSW
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries—how is it affecting architecture? The Chapter held a STIM session exploring AI’s role in architectural design and workflow. Members shared firsthand experiences, from leveraging AI for creativity and efficiency, to concerns about how it may challenge the role of architects in shaping the built environment.
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This dynamic discussion explored both the promise and the pitfalls of AI, sparking insight into how Chapter members can navigate this evolving landscape.
