Founded in 1913, it is one of the largest urban components of the American Institute of Architects in the Midwestern United States, with members throughout Central and Southeastern Ohio.
The Columbus Chapter serves a 32-county area, including Ashland, Athens, Coshocton, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Union, Vinton, Washington, and Wyandot counties.
[2] The Chapter is headquartered in the capital city of Columbus, currently in the Center for Architecture and Design at 50 West Town Street, Suite 110, in the historic Lazarus Building.
The Chapter was preceded by an organization called the Columbus Society of Architects, begun circa 1909, with Frank Packard as its president.
The organization had 45 members, developed a sketch club among the city's draftsmen, and formed a committee for the purpose of establishing a connection with the Institute.
Early Chapter Members on the Annual Reports to the Institute included Ralph Snyder and Otto C. Darst.
[6][7] In 1974, the Chapter established a 501(c)(3) organization to encourage knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the built environment of the Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area; to produce a guide to its architectural heritage; to establish and maintain an archive for collecting and disseminating information relative to its development; and to receive and maintain funds relative to its exempt purposes.
The address listed on the Chapter's original Articles of Incorporation is 50 West Broad Street, Suite 2440, Columbus 15, Ohio.
At the time of its construction, it was the tallest building in the state, and was known as the "first aerial lighthouse" in the country, as it served as a guide to aviators.
In 1999, the Chapter relocated back into the downtown area, directly across West Broad Street from its original quarters.
Designed by Daniel Hudson Burnham, FAIA, the eleven story "Chicago School" Commercial Style structure is identified in Architecture: Columbus as the city's first steel-framed skyscraper.
A decade later, on December 30, 2009, the chapter moved its offices to much larger quarters at 380 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
[18] The Chapter is affiliated with a state component currently known as AIA Ohio, A Society of the American Institute of Architects.