Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) is a postnominal title or membership, designating an individual who has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Fellowship is bestowed by the institute on AIA-member architects who have made outstanding contributions to the profession through design excellence, contributions in the field of architectural education, or to the advancement of the profession.
FAIA) is awarded to foreign (non-U.S. citizen) architects, and to non-architects who have made substantial contributions to the field of architecture or to the institute.
In 1889, the AIA was merged with the Western Association of Architects (WAA), which had designated all of its members Fellows.
Beginning in 1890, Fellowship was the primary form of membership in the AIA, in addition to "Honorary and Corresponding" members, who, as in the present, were non-architects or foreign nationals.