The South African Institute of Architects is a voluntary association of affiliated and regional institutes established in 1996.
The South African Institute of Architects is a voluntary association of affiliated and regional institutes established in 1996 and incorporates the previous national Institute of South African Architects (established in 1927) and the regional Institutes of Architects of the former Cape (founded 1899), Eastern Province (founded in 1900 as the Port Elizabeth Society of Architects), Border (founded in 1946 as the East London Chapter of the Cape Provincial Institute), KwaZulu-Natal (founded in 1901), Orange Free State (founded in 1921) and Transvaal (founded in 1909). The Pretoria Institute of Architects was established in 1993 and the following new regional institutes were established in 1996:
Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo (founded as Northern Province) and Mpumalanga.
The Institute is a member of the Africa Union of Architects, the Commonwealth Association of Architects, the International Union of Architects, the International Commission on Monuments and Sites, and the International Committee Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites and neighbourhoods of the modern movement.
Membership of the Institute is open to all architects, the only prerequisite being a recognised academic qualification, a minimum of 24 months practical experience and an examination in professional practice. Candidate membership is also open to those currently studying towards becoming a professional architect.
The fundamental principles of equality and justice are implicit in the Constitution. In terms of the constitution the Institute is committed to the principle of striving to be an outstanding professional organisation, which upholds the dignity of the profession and its members. It aims to promote excellence in architecture and it seeks to contribute to the enhancement of society and the environment.
