2026 Important Issue Briefs for Advocacy Day
Qualifications-Based Selection (PDF)
Protecting Taxpayers and Public Vertical Infrastructure
Preserving Tennessee’s Past, Building Our Future (PDF)
The Importance of Historic Preservation Incentives
The Essential Role of Architects in Tennessee (PDF)
Building a Safer, Stronger, and More Prosperous Future
Safe School Design Requires Expert Guidance (PDF)
Supporting SB2207 (Johnson) / HB2275 (Moody) Through Advisory-Led, Evolving Standards
The Essential Role of Architects in Tennessee
Building a Safer, Stronger, and More Prosperous Future
The American Institute of Architects, Tennessee (AIA TN) champions the essential role of architects in designing better communities and a better world. Our 1,600 members are dedicated professionals who contribute significantly to the safety, well-being, and economic vitality of our state.
Protecting Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
- Licensed Professionals Ensuring Safety
Architects are licensed by the state to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public in the design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of buildings and structures. This is their paramount responsibility. - Adherence to Building Codes
Architects meticulously refer to local and state building codes to ensure that all projects adhere to the most up-to-date safety and functionality standards. They work with authorities having jurisdiction, such as the State Fire Marshal’s Office, to ensure compliance. - Designing Safe and Resilient Building
Architects design functional and safe spaces that consider factors like emergency evacuation, structural integrity, and user comfort. They also design buildings to anticipate future threats like storms and flooding, enhancing community resilience. - Promoting Health and Well-being
Architects are invested in delivering buildings and environments that contribute to both the physical and mental well-being of communities. This includes considering safer materials, navigating building codes, and coordinating design teams to meet or exceed required standards.
Driving Economic Growth
- Job Creation and Economic Impact
The design and construction industry supports thousands of jobs and contributes billions to the Tennessee economy. Each project creates work for architects, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, and many others. - Attracting Investment and Boosting Property Values
Smart design by architects attracts businesses, boosts property values, and reduces long-term costs for taxpayers. - Streamlining Development and Saving Taxpayer Dollars
Architects help streamline permitting and approval processes, ensuring responsible development without unnecessary bureaucracy and preventing costly infrastructure mistakes. - Investing in Infrastructure and Long-Term Productivity
Investment in building projects designed by architects yields dividends in private sector investment and long-term productivity growth. - Preserving Local Identity and Strengthening Communities
Architects protect historically significant structures and design livable communities that attract families and businesses.
Qualifications-Based Selection Procurement
Protecting Taxpayers and Public Vertical Infrastructure
Tennessee’s Proven Process for Selecting Architects and Engineers Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is the procurement method Tennessee requires for selecting architects and engineers for public projects. Under the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) Title 12, Chapter 4, Section 107, government entities are required to use QBS when procuring design services, rather than choosing the lowest bidder.
QBS ensures state and local government agencies select the most qualified professionals based
on experience, expertise, and ability to deliver a high-quality project for buildings such as schools,
libraries and government buildings.
- QBS protects Tennesseans and safeguards public investments.
- QBS ensures fair, transparent, and merit-based selection of professionals.
- Any weakening QBS opens the door to costly mistakes and public safety risks.
How It Works
- Public entities evaluate firms based on qualifications— not price.
- The most qualified firm is selected.
- Only then are fees negotiated fairly and transparently.
QBS is Critical for Tennessee
Protects Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
The design of public facilities directly impacts the safety of Tennesseans. QBS ensures that licensed professionals with the right expertise lead projects that meet building codes, safety standards, and functional requirements.
Encourages Innovation and High-Quality Design
Design typically accounts for just 5-10% of a project’s cost but influences up to 80% of the project’s lifecycle costs (maintenance, energy use, operations). QBS ensures wise investment of taxpayer- dollars by avoiding costly design flaws, change orders, and rework.
Prevents Waste and Cost Overruns
Selecting the lowest bid for complex design work often results in hidden costs,change orders, and schedule delays. QBS prioritizes getting it right the first time
Preserving Tennessee’s Past, Building Our Future
The Importance of Historic Preservation Incentives
Tennessee’s historic buildings are more than just relics of the past; they are cornerstones of our communities, drivers of economic growth, and guardians of our unique cultural identity. As architects, we see firsthand the transformative power of preserving and revitalizing these structures. However, these efforts often face significant financial hurdles, making incentives a crucial tool for their survival and reuse.
Why Incentives Matter for Historic Preservation in Tennessee
- Economic Engine
Historic preservation is not just about history; it’s about economic development. The federal Historic Tax Credit has demonstrated this powerfully, generating significant private investment, creating jobs, and returning more to the Treasury than it costs. In Tennessee, preservation projects revitalize downtowns, attract tourism, and provide affordable spaces for small businesses, keeping money within local economies. - Addressing Financial Realities
Restoring historic buildings is often more complex and costly than new construction due to unique structural challenges, code upgrades, and the need for specialized skills. Incentives help bridge the financial gap, making these projects viable for property owners who might otherwise be unable to undertake them. - Revitalizing Our Communities
Historic buildings are often located in the heart of our towns and cities. Incentives encourage their adaptive reuse, transforming underutilized or vacant properties into vibrant commercial spaces, housing, and community anchors. This revitalization fosters a renewed sense of pride and strengthens the social fabric of our communities.
- Attracting Private Investment and Reducing Public Burden
Tax credits, both federal and potential state, are designed to spur private sector investment in historic rehabilitation. This reduces the need for direct government spending while achieving crucial preservation goals. The federal credit has leveraged billions in private investment nationwide. - Keeping Pace with Our Neighbors
Currently, Tennessee is one of only a handful of states without a state historic tax credit. All of our bordering states have recognized the benefits of such incentives. Enacting a state credit will allow Tennessee to compete for investment and development opportunities that prioritize historic preservation. - Preserving Tennessee’s Unique Heritage
Our historic buildings tell the story of Tennessee, from its early settlements to its role in significant national events and its rich musical roots. Preservation efforts safeguard this irreplaceable heritage for future generations and maintain the unique character of our towns and cities.
How State Legislators Can Make a Significant Impact
You, as a state legislator, have the power to significantly enhance historic preservation efforts across Tennessee by embracing the proven power of incentives:
- Enact a State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
This is the single most impactful action you can take. A state credit, working in tandem with the federal credit, will make historic rehabilitation projects financially feasible for more property owners, particularly in our rural communities and smaller towns that may not fully benefit from the federal incentive alone. - Include Dedicated Funding in the State Budget
While the issuance of state tax credits would occur after project completion, budgeting for a program is essential to signal the state’s commitment and allow the program to launch effectively. - Consider Targeted Incentives for Rural Areas
To ensure that the benefits of historic preservation reach all of Tennessee, explore mechanisms to target state tax credits towards rural communities. This could include higher credit percentages or set-aside funds.
- Support Former/Existing State Grant Programs
Work to bring back and potentially expand state Historic Development Grant Program, which provided crucial funding for a variety of preservation projects across the state – in both rural and urban areas. - Streamline Processes and Offer Resources
Ensure that the application and review processes for both state and federal historic preservation incentives are clear, efficient, and user-friendly. Providing technical assistance and resources can encourage wider participation. - Highlight and Celebrate TN Success Stories
Continue to showcase the positive economic and community impacts of successful historic preservation projects in Tennessee to build support and understanding for these efforts.
By championing these actions, you can ensure that Tennessee’s historic buildings are not lost to neglect or demolition. Instead, they can become powerful catalysts for economic growth, vibrant community centers, and enduring symbols of our rich and diverse heritage. We urge you to seize this opportunity to invest in Tennessee’s future by preserving its past.
Expertise, Collaboration, and Development
- Comprehensive Skills and Knowledge
Architects possess a unique blend of artistic and scientific knowledge, enabling them to develop building concepts and turn them into functional and safe plans. - Collaborative Approach
Architects work closely with a variety of specialists, including engineering and construction professionals, to ensure the successful and safe completion of projects. - Expert Advisors
Architects provide expert advice to clients, owners, and governmental agencies on all aspects of building design and construction. - Thorough Education and Training
Becoming a licensed architect in Tennessee requires a professional degree, completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). - Commitment to Lifelong Learning
Licensed architects in Tennessee are required to complete 24 Professional Development Hours (PDH) every two years, including 12 hours in Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW), ensuring they remain current with the latest safety standards and practices.
AIA Tennessee: A Valuable Resource
- AIA Tennessee is a professional membership organization advocating for the value of architecture and providing our 1,600 members with the community, advocacy, and knowledge they need to drive positive change
- AIA serves as a liaison to key state agencies, including the TN General Assembly, State Building Commission, State Licensing Board, and Fire Marshal’s Office
- AIA Tennessee and local architects are valuable resources for information related to building design, codes, and community development. Contact AIA TN’s government relations team at ashley@aiatn.org for assistance.
- By partnering with and supporting architects, Tennessee legislators can ensure the creation of safer, more sustainable, and economically vibrant communities for all Tennesseans. Architects are essential partners in building the future of our state.
Safe School Design Requires Expert Guidance
Supporting SB2207 (Johnson) / HB2275 (Moody) Through Advisory-Led, Evolving Standards
SB2207 | HB2275 strengthens how Tennessee approaches safe school design. By utilizing a Safe School Design Advisory Group and a rulemaking process, we can ensure safety standards are created by experts, adaptable over time, and effective for every community rather than locked into statute where they risk becoming outdated.
Safe School Design Requires Ongoing Expert Input
School safety is not static. it is constantly changing due to:
- Emerging security risks
- New building technologies
- Evolving best practices in design
A Safe School Design Advisory Group ensures input from:
- Architects
- School administrators
- Code officials, and other experts as needed
This creates a continuous feedback loop; not a one-time decision in statute.
Avoids Locking Complex Safety Requirements into Statute
School design involves highly technical considerations:
- Egress and life safety
- Access control and visibility
- Structural and environmental design
When these are placed in statute:
- It becomes difficult to revise and risks becoming outdated
- It may unintentionally conflict with building codes
Statutes are not designed to manage technical design standards.
Advisory Group + Rulemaking = Smarter, Safer Outcomes
The Advisory Group provides:
- Technical expertise
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Real-world implementation insight
- New building technologies insight
Rulemaking allows those recommendations to:
- Be vetted publicly and updated as conditions change
- Be implemented consistently statewide
This combination produces better outcomes than rigid statutory mandates.
Supports Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
LEAs vary widely in:
- Resources
- Building stock
- Community needs
A Safe School Design Advisory Group can:
- Provide guidance and “not one-size-fits-all” mandates
- Help LEAs prioritize improvements over time
This approach respects local realities while improving safety statewide.
Protects the Integrity of the Building Code Process
School safety is deeply tied to building codes and life safety standards, keeping these elements within rulemaking processes. Expert advisory structures ensure alignment with statewide codes, consistency in enforcement, and clear guidance for designers and contractors The Advisory Group strengthens the system—it doesn’t bypass it.
The American Institute of Architects, Tennessee (AIA TN) chapter has been championing the essential role of architects—and architecture—in designing better communities and a better world. Our work, and the work of our members, turns houses into homes and makes the places where we live, work, and play more beautiful, healthy, and safe. As a professional membership organization, AIA TN advocates for the value of architecture, and provides our 1,600 members with the community, advocacy, and knowledge they need to drive positive change through the power of design.
Why do you need an architect?
- People need places to live, work, play, learn, worship, meet, govern, shop, and eat.
- An architect is responsible for designing these places—whether private or public; indoors or out; rooms, buildings, or complexes. Architects are professionals licensed by the state to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public.
- Architects are trained in the art and science of building design who work closely with their clients to develop concepts for structures and turn those concepts into plans. Architects create the overall look of buildings and other structures. But the design of a building involves far more than its appearance; buildings must also be functional, safe, and economical. Architects consider all these factors and more when designing.
A Policy Resource for the TN General Assembly and the Governor’s Administration
If it impacts buildings or communities, architects are an invaluable resource for public officials. Contact AIA TN’s government relations team by emailing Ashley Cates at ashley@aiatn.org for assistance.
What does an architect do?
- Architects are the lead in terms of the design of a building or structure. The architect will develop a design based on extensive conversations with the client and future occupants, taking into consideration issues such as appropriate adjacencies, emergency evacuation requirements and user comfort and productivity.
- Throughout this process, the architect will work closely with a variety of specialists, including engineering and construction professionals, to identify suitable materials, explore modifications and alterations, and evaluate structural integrity.
- Architects are often involved in all phases of a construction project, from an initial conversation with the client through construction administration and commissioning, through completion of the final structure.
- This work requires a team of individuals with specific skills—designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating with clients, builders, and contractors. Architects work closely with their clients to understand their goals for the project and spend a significant amount of time working with engineers and other consultants to explain the client’s ideas and ensure that the final building meets their needs.
Policy Issues that Architects Impact
- Design & Construction Procurement
- Historic Preservation
- Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Resilience
- School Safety
- Building Codes
- Housing Taxes