American Institute of Architects St. Louis Fills Materials Sample Gap With New Resource Center

Date Posted: October 25, 2019

Posted In: Ideas, News, Organizations,

by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum STL

The Internet has become the go-to resource for most information in the built environment. At the same time the familiar “sample library” — filled with shelves of catalogs and physical material samples — has been greatly reduced or eliminated all together in many design and construction offices. But for designers, clients, and builders, alike the elimination of the tactile, the in-person visual, and the ability to square the physical item with technical information creates a big gap.

The American Institute of Architects St. Louis (AIA St. Louis) will celebrate a two-year effort on the part of its leadership to fill that gap this Tuesday (Oct. 29) with the grand opening of “The Resource Center @ AIA St. Louis”. An opening event will be held Tuesday at 6:00pm.

The 1,600 sq. ft. Resource Center is located adjacent to the first-floor AIA offices in the Lammert Building (now known as the T-Rex Building) at 911 Washington Ave. in Downtown St. Louis.

The Center will house over 250 product lines and samples through which designers can peruse samples, products and brochures to specify products for their projects.  Over 150 lines are currently represented at the Center; each day new products lines are being displayed in the materials library.   

In addition to the products library, the Center will feature “product-of-the-month” and regular programming during early morning coffee; as well as CEU programs, lunch and learns; and happy hour learning opportunities. 

The Center will be open during the weekdays and in the evenings with keypad access.

The American Institute of Architects St. Louis (AIA St. Louis) is the local chapter of the professional association of architects, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The chapter, which has over 800 members, serves as an advocate for excellence in design and construction. AIA St. Louis has operated a local office and bookstore in downtown St. Louis since 1956

For further information contact:

Michelle Swatek, executive director 314.621.3484  mswatek@aia-stlouis.org.