Filipino American architect Lira Luis appointed as Programmatic Councillor at the RSA

Chicago, Illinois Oct 16, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - During Filipino American History Month, US-based systems-thinking architect Lira Luis is appointed as one of only three Programmatic Councillors at The RSA, focusing on Social Connections across the global built environment

In recognition of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) in the United Statesand aligned with The RSAs Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 15th in the UKLira Luis, FRIBA, FRSA, NCARB, RA, LEED AP, a Filipino American systems-thinking architect and advocate for the fusion of architecture and art, has been appointed to a second three-year term at The RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce)this time as one of only three Programmatic Councillors.

The RSA is a UK charity with a global Fellowshipone of the worlds largestincluding Nobel Prize, Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Gold Medal laureates. Reflecting the strength of the UKUS alliance, Luisbased in the United Stateswill collaborate with RSA staff to support RSA programmes of work, offering expertise to inform and strengthen programmes and connect and embed Fellows within them. As Programmatic Councillor for Social Connections, she will link The RSA with the global built environment and its sustainability, bridging practice, policy, and public impact across borders.

I accept this role as both honor and obligation. The FAHMAGM convergence is coincidental; its coincidence is a cue from our shared human purpose to activate Social Connectionslinking architecture and art, sustainability, and civic leadership across borders. Lira Luis

A practicing architect and systems thinker, Luis has engaged widely across international networks. She curated and published extended interviews with global leadersincluding Gold Medal laureates and the Presidents of the UIA and RIBAinforming cross-border dialogue on resilient, equitable places.
Sources: https://liraluis.substack.com/p/designing-for-truth-and-trust-in | https://liraluis.substack.com/p/architects-in-the-age-of-god-like

Statement from the Chair of the Fellowship Council

Neil Beagrie, Chair of the RSA Fellowship Council, said:
Many congratulations to Lira Luis on her re-appointment to the RSA Fellowship Council and to all Filipino Americans celebrating and honouring the leadership contributions of their community to the USA and globally this month! RSA Fellowship Councillors bring invaluable senior-level expertise and international perspectives to the RSAs work of enabling people, places and the planet to flourish.

Statement from the Chief Executive Officer

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David Joseph CBE, Chief Executive Officer, The RSA, said:
The RSAs advantage lies in the creative tension between tradition and disruptionweve remained open, curious, and generous with ideas while championing innovation and enduring values. In a divided world, this is where a potter can talk to a programmer, and someone designing buildings can sit next to someone designing policy.

Patrons Perspective

As RSA Patron, HRH The Princess Royal has highlighted the importance of social infrastructure, noting that one in 20 people in the UK say that they have no close friends and that levels of trust in people and institutions have fallen dramaticallyunderscoring why strengthening social connections matters to peoples lives. In her opening remarks at the 2025 RSA Patrons Lecture (The I/We/I century), she added that the RSA has always understood that social infrastructure is just as vital as physical infrastructure, and that strong communities built on relationships and mutual support are fundamental to tackling the things that affect peoples lives.
Reference: https://www.thersa.org/articles/blog/patrons-lecture-the-i-we-i-century/

Why This Matters During FAHM

FAHM honors over a century of Filipino contributions in the United States. Luiss systems-leadership role elevates diaspora influence in climate action and cultural innovation, strengthening ties between the Global North and Global South and advancing knowledge exchange for communities on the front lines of climate riskfrom policy frameworks to programme delivery.

Focus of the New Term (Programmatic Councillor Social Connections)

• Collaborate with RSA staff to support and refine programmes that advance sustainability, circularity, and resilience in the built environment.
• Offer specialist expertise to help inform and strengthen programme strategy and delivery.
• Connect and embed Fellows across regions worldwidespanning Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the global diasporain line with The RSAs UK base and global remit.
• Convene leaders and partners from industry, academia, and civic sectors to translate ideas into policy pathways and practical pilots.
  
  About Lira Luis

  Lira Luis, FRIBA, FRSA, NCARB, RA, LEED AP is a systems-thinking executive working at the intersection of architecture and art, innovation, and strategic leadership. She has led sustainability-forward projects at scale, secured competitive funding, managed P&L, and built high-performing teams across AEC, consultancy, and research. A recognized voice on sustainability and DEI, she contributes to governance and public discourse through boards, juries, and high-level convenings. The first AAPI Filipino American architect elected to the RSA Fellowship & Counciland among the youngest AAPI architects elevated to FRIBALuis is also the first Filipino architect to graduate from Frank Lloyd Wrights Taliesin, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of three Programmatic Councillors focused on Social Connections, she advances resilient, equitable strategies for public infrastructure and civic trust.

  About The RSA 
  Founded in 1754 and based in the UK, The RSA is a charity with a global mission. With one of the worlds largest Fellowshipsincluding Nobel, Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Gold Medal laureatesThe RSAs programmes span regenerative futures, creative democracy, place-based transformation, and social connections, mobilizing people and ideas across geographies to tackle complex challenges.
  More: https://www.thersa.org/press